Will.i.am has condemned Universal Records for their treatment of The Voice winner Leanne Mitchell and her career.

He claims that the record company waited too long after the show had concluded to release her debut album.

The album was eventually released back in May and performed abysmally, only managing to reach number 134 after selling a mere 900 copies.

Will.i.am said in an interview with Radio Times: "The record company should be freakin' embarrassed. Somebody should be held accountable.

"These singers are on television every week. So you've already accomplished things stars don't accomplish. Do you wait a year later?

"Somebody should get slapped because you waited too long.

"If you're having performers sing other people's songs, you should have a bunch of songs ready in your arsenal.

"It's hopeless to release a record so long after the series finished."

Will.i.am also described in the interview how he would like to see the show spiced up saying: "Something like where you could actually dunk 'em... 'I don't like 'em', and they're in the water.

"F**king bubble singing."

The final of the current series of The Voice will air on Saturday night on BBC1.