The Voice bosses accused of begging for free pies

You’d think Tom Jones and Will.i.am could stretch to the odd steak bake on their seven figure salaries, wouldn’t you?

Apparently not. One London bakery has roasted ITV bosses after receiving an email asking them to provide The Voice’s judging panel with a selection of FREE baked goods to munch on while filming the show.

Vincent Ayres, who runs a bakery in Nunhead, South London told The Star he received a rather flaky email begging for his pastries with a promise of ‘influential’ celebs tasting his wares.

“Our coaches love their dressing rooms to be brimming with the best treats and snacks,” it read. “If you would be happy to, we would love to offer some of your incredible products to each of our coaches and presenter Emma Willis.”

So far, so promising. But what’s this?

“This request comes with great news and slightly bad news. As you may have already guessed, unfortunately, we at ITV are unable to offer anything monetarily or otherwise in return for your products.

“The great news, however, is that this unique opportunity will give you great exposure to our highly influential coaches and presenter.”

Highly influential in the music industry maybe, but in the cutthroat world of savoury pastries? Hmmm.

Understandably, Vincent wasn’t impressed: “I thought it was a bit of a cheek,” he said. “ITV are a commercial company. I reckon that’s a round robin that’s gone out to loads of people, trying to scrounge stuff on the basis that someone famous might eat it. It seems a bit much really.”

It certainly does, Vince.

ITV is splurging £12million a year to bring the hit talent show over from the BBC, and judges Tom Jones, will.i.am, Gavin Rossdale and Jennifer Hudson are all thought to be on six or seven figure deals.

Sounds like ITV forgot to keep a little bit back to pay for the steak and kidney pies.