Bakery owner criticises ITV's The Voice over free cake request

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Cake freebie request from The Voice 'abysmal'Image source, Instagram/getbakedukImage caption, Rich Myers says other independent bakeries have experienced the same type of "abysmal" requestByHaider SaleemNorth WestPublished4 hours agoAn independent bakery owner has said it was a "kick in the teeth" to be asked by The Voice UK to provide the ITV show's guests and judges with free cakes. Rich Myers, 37, from Get Baked, which has its flagship store in Manchester, described the request as a "total disgrace", adding that large companies should not ask small businesses to supply products in return for so-called "exposure". Myers shared the email on Instagram, which said ITV was unable to pay but the food would be seen by "highly influential" coaches, presenters and contestants.

Lifted Entertainment, which makes The Voice UK for ITV, apologised and said "steps had been taken to ensure this type of request is never made again". In the email, The Voice staff asked whether Get Baked, which has its production bakery in Leeds, could supply products for talent dressing rooms and green rooms during filming for no payment. It said ITV would be "unable to offer anything monetary or otherwise in return".

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Myers said at first he thought it was "a wind up" but then realised it was "totally real". "ITV and Lifted Entertainment, you're a total disgrace," he wrote on Instagram. "Honestly, how did we get here?

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Accept and continue The is not responsible for the content of external sites. End of instagram postThe email suggested the "very high calibre of talent" on the show would be able to enjoy the food provided. Myers told the : "Putting it backstage for someone to eat, as if that results in exposure, means nothing to anyone.

"Image source, Get BakedImage caption, The bakery has gone viral over its multi-layered cakesGet Baked sells online across the UK, and recently opened a shop in Covent Garden, London. Myers said an order for a green room for one day might have cost about £100 and would have provided enough food for 20 to 25 people. "We're not talking thousands of pounds," he said.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.