Seal has been slammed for criticising Kiwi popstar Lorde on The Voice

Seal dissed Lorde's songwriting skills on The Voice. Photos / AP, Getty Images

The Voice coach Seal faced a viewer backlash after the latest episode of the Aussie reality series, when he dissed Kiwi pop star Lorde.

Contestant Sarah Stone performed a rendition of Lorde's single Green Light, which has been praised by critics as one of the year's best songs - but Seal wasn't a fan.

"After that performance, is Sarah looking like the strongest female voice in the competition?" host Sonia Kruger asked him.

"The strongest female voice in the competition? No. Look, Sarah, I really like you - I've told you that off set. I think you made the most of a not particularly good song. I'm not a big fan. I couldn't sing that song because it wouldn't inspire me, but I thought you did great," he told her.

"Well she sang it better than Seal!" quipped Stone's coach, Boy George.

"Perhaps, because Seal doesn't sing bad songs," the Kiss From A Rose singer responded.

The Lorde shade was a critique too far for some viewers:

In other news I can't wait for @lorde to eviscerate Seal, Diplo style. #TheVoiceAU

— Simon K (@86TB) June 25, 2017

Seal is dissin' Lorde. He's officially lost the plot. #TheVoiceAU

— Jules The Red 🐀 (@RedJules4) June 25, 2017

Turned #TheVoiceAU on for 1 minute & Seal called 'Greenlight' by Lorde a bad song. I am offended and will never watch again

— Gabs ✨ (@Gxbriellemxry) June 25, 2017

When Stone performed a second song later in the show, Kruger asked Seal if she'd changed his mind after his 'strong' critique of her previous performance.

"It wasn't strong, it was just truthful. What's your question?" he shot back.

Seal also slammed a Kiwi contestant during the episode; Kelly Rowland's artist Hoseah Partsch, but Seal's fellow judges weren't having it.

Partsch had the entire studio audience singing along to a rendition of Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody - but Seal criticised him for "not connecting with the audience."

"Him moving the audience from left to right, and them singing every note, wasn't an interaction? He had a complete connection, I completely disagree," said Rowland.

"If that wasn't connectivity, then I'm living in a world gone insane," said Boy George.

Seal returned to The Voice this season after a three-year absence - and he's clearly proving to be the show's most, ahem, controversial coach:

When Seal starts rambling 🙄😒#TheVoiceAU pic.twitter.com/Hu4gwDqhiV

— Mr💯🤙🏽 (@MrCuzzyBro) June 25, 2017

#TheVoiceAU everytime seal talks I fastforward the tv 🤣 pic.twitter.com/eNTj6KqysF

— catherine cagumbay (@kateryn0213) June 25, 2017

My reaction to Seal right now #TheVoiceAU pic.twitter.com/DDATxMKF1J

— Daryl (@xwickedmindx) June 25, 2017

A message for Seal#TheVoiceAU pic.twitter.com/QIcq96R2kv

— Michael Dave 🇦🇺 (@maybemick) June 25, 2017

George respectfully disagrees with one production choice, so Seal goes on a mission to slag all of George's artists. So petty! #TheVoiceAU

— Dee (@DeeJQuinn) June 25, 2017

Seal just stop bagging any contestant that isn't yours 🙄 #thevoiceau pic.twitter.com/pAmpiba4PM

— Bernadette (@kissbystarlight) June 25, 2017

I feel like Australia has embraced Boy George and his acerbic wit, and that they are now nauseated by the goings-on of Seal. #TheVoiceAU

— Kate Hannant (@Saidtheredhead8) June 25, 2017