The Voice taken off air in the Netherlands after sexual misconduct allegations

The Voice on UK broadcaster ITV

RTL in the Netherlands has taken its hit entertainment format The Voice off air following allegations of sexual misconduct against the production.

The singing competition show’s 12th season has been suspended while an investigation into the allegations takes place, according to the news arm of the Dutch broadcaster.

At least two of the show’s celebrity cast members have been accused of using their position to put sexual pressure on women involved in the long-running production.

Jeroen Rietbergen, who has served as the band leader on The Voice since 2010, resigned on Saturday, admitting to “relationships of a sexual nature” with women involved in the programme several years ago.

Complaints have also been made against Ali B, a Dutch rapper who appeared as one of the show’s judges. He has denied the allegations. Another former judge on the show, Marco Borsato, has also been accused of sexual abuse, separate to The Voice’s production, which he has denied.

Dutch singer and former judge on The Voice, Anouk Teeuwe, quit the programme following Rietbergen’s statement, saying on Instagram that she didn’t “want to work at a place where men have, for years, abused their positions and where others have chosen to keep the misconduct silent and look the other way.”

The show has been produced by ITV Studios (ITVS) Netherlands since the production and distribution company’s acquisition of the format’s creator Talpa Media in 2015.

“We are shocked by these allegations. Our utmost priority is to provide a safe and supportive environment for everyone who takes part in or works on our shows and there is zero tolerance at ITV Studios for the type of behaviour alleged to have taken place. We have immediately commissioned an external investigation into the allegations,” ITVS said in a statement.

The Voice is one of the most successful entertainment formats of all time and has been remade in more than 150 countries, as well as spawning multiple spin-offs such as The Voice Kids.