There was a shock exit on tonight's episode of The Voice
The Voice’s first Sunday night became a little bit repetitive, but there were still some surprises along the way.
Ben Kelly, the show’s established favourite with a million views on YouTube for his first audition, was justifiably confident going into Battle, but he’d reckoned without the determined Ruth Anne St Luce.
Ruth Anne was the underdog going up against the bow-tied wonder for their Wanna Dance With Somebody rendition, but she nailed it, with some Whitney-worthy zingers, and overcame the fave to go through. The other judges remained astonished by Jessie’s decision.
And in the ultimate rock battle of the night, a nervous David Julien had to deal with the confidence-brrrrimmming John James Newman, to sing Dakota. Both had a lot riding on this, David having quit his job to participate, and John needing to compete with his Waterloo Road actor brother (not sure if he mentioned that, again) The searing tones of David outdid the husky, rough notes of John and he was through after a painful decision from Danny, but it was a storming duet – watch below…
OTHER SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
Team Jessie
Jessie was in uncompromising mood, telling both Cassius and Welsh David, they were missing something on Beat It. Both rose to the occasion, with most of the coaches favouring Cassius, but Jessie was the most torn anyone has been thus far, eventually opting for Cassius too.
Another 2 vs 1 badminton match was being waged between Becky, and Indie and Pixie. Tension surfaced as the pair didn’t think they were being given the big bits on Beyonce’s Irreplaceable, but that wasn’t the problem. Becky walked it.
Team Tom
It was the battle of the big voices for Leanne and Barbara, banging out Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory. There really wasn’t anything in it, making for a fantastic, professional-sounding duet. Full on, dance-round-your-handbags fantastic, performance of the show so far – with a reluctant Tom opting to take big-voiced Leanne.
Bit like a badminton match with three people, Lindsay Butler had to hold her own against folk duo Matt and Sueleen. This was all a bit weird, but Tom had said a single voice could steal a march here, but it was not to be. Two was just stronger than one, with Matt’s new blow-dry undoubtedly helping.
Adam Isaac’s nerves were on show for his sing-off with Denise Morgan – Sir Tom told him to “use them”. He did, and he was through.
Team Will
Another problem pair that got on too well in the studio were Kate Read and Frances Wood, until Will said he preferred Kate’s voice – ouch! Gloves came off for Ironic on the night, although Jessie said she could hardly tell the difference between them, and Will changed his mind and opted for Frances.
Pub band Sophia Griffin and experienced backing singer J Marie Cooper both ended up shouting their way through Firework, which divided the panel. Will opted to support “the person I was when I was 17”, and got all misty-eyed again.
Team Danny
It seemed like Aleks Josh had lost the contest in the changing room, when he admitted to being intimidated up against Emmy J Mac (has she got a rock star’s name already) and unsure he could hit the notes. Sure enough, his Broken Strings were seemingly broken from the start, but somehow he slowly found his way, and Danny ended up tapping into his coach role – “I feel I have more to teach Aleks.” Poor Emmy.
Meanwhile, “I’ve probably been performing for more years than Hannah’s been on the planet,” said Murray, as they hit it for Kids. Youth triumphed over experience, and Hannah was through.
Here are all The Voice contestants - including those who didn't cut it (in black and white):
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Team Danny - Aleks Josh
The 17 year old heartthrob works as a part-time lifeguard.
Blind Audition: Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Team Danny - Vince
This bare-footed babe auditioned without his shoes on.
Blind Audition: King's of Leon - Sex On Fire
Team Danny - Max Milner
Max's mother is the leading lady in a West End production and he once played the lead in Footloose.
Audition: Mash up of Eminem - Lose Yourself and The Beatles - Come Together
Team Danny - Bill
Ed Sheeran has already shown support for the 24 year old, describing a cover he sang as 'sick'.
Blind Audition: Plan B - She Said
Team Danny - David Julien
His biggest fan is his dear old dad who never misses a gig.
Blind Audition: The Script - Man That Can't Be Moved
Team Danny - John James Newman
This 33 year old has already had a taste for fame: his father is a rock star, his brother is in Waterloo Road and his band have supported Bon Jovi.
Blind Audition: Eliza Doolittle - Pack Up
Team Danny - Emmy J Mac
This cutie owns a company that organises music events for children. Blind Audition: Corrine Baile
Team Danny - Murray Hockridge
At 47 years old, Murray has been working in the business for 30 years. Well, as the old saying goes - if at first you don't succeed...
Blind Audition: James Morrison - You Give Me Something
Team Danny - Hannah Berney
Hannah was so star struck in her audition that she couldn't remember her mother's name.
Blind Audition: Lady Gaga - You and I
Team Danny - Bo Bruce
This lovely Lady dropped her title in favour of...err...Bo.
Blind Audition: Usher/ David Guetta - Without You
Team Jessie - Ben Kelly
With over a million views on YouTube and this bow-tied laddie made all four judges turn their chairs
Team Jessie - Ruth-Ann St. Luce
Wobbly audition or not, Jessie still turned her chair and that's what matters.
Blind Audition: Leona Lewis - Run
Team Jessie - Cassius Henry
Despite having a record deal with Sony at just 16 years old, the tragic loss of his brother meant Cassius' dreams never materialised. Now, he's back and ready to start again.
Blind Audition: Neyo - Closer
Team Jessie - David Faulkner
The shy Welsh builder surprised us all with his sassy rendition of a Motown classic.
Blind Audition: Stevie Wonder - Superstitious
Team Jessie - Kirsten Joy
A backing singer who's sung with the best of them, Kirsten fancies some limelight of her own.
Blind Audition: Emile Sande - Heaven
Team Jessie - Indie and Pixie
This Guilford twosome do everything together, including sing and wow Jessie J.
Blind Audition: P!nk - Perfect
Team Jessie - Vince Kidd
This contestant claims he is constantly judged on his appearance, after such a swagtastic audition we bet his voice will be taking centre stage from now on.
Blind Audition: Madonna - Like A Virgin
Team Jessie - Jessica Hammond
Boldly singing one of the coaches' own songs clearly paid off for Jessica as she got all four to turn in their chairs
Team Jessie - Becky Hill
The 17 year old's audition moved Will.I.Am to tears.
Blind Audition: John Legend - Ordinary People
Team Jessie - Toni Warne
After contracting alopecia, Toni's confidence ebbed away together with her dreams of pursuing a career in music. Lucky for us she's got her confidence back.
Blind Audition: Will Young - Leave Right Now
Team Tom - Audrey
This bright haired lady has a fear of auditions but has sung as a backing singer for R. Kelly and P.Diddy.
Blind Audition: Gnarles Barkley - Crazy
Team Tom - Sam Buttery
One word: quiff.
Blind Audition: Adele - Set Fire To The Rains
Team Tom - Barbara Bryceland
This 47 year old grandma from Falkirk has got a pretty big voice.
Blind Audition: Rolling Stones - Wild Horses
Team Tom - Adam Isaac
This young man started a major name dropping battle between will.i.am and Tom Jones.
Blind Audition: Stereophonics - Maybe Tomorrow
Team Tom - Leanne Mitchell
A singer at a holiday park, Leanne hopes to bring her talent to a wider audience.
Blind Audition: Beyonce - If I Were A Boy
Team Tom - Denise Morgan
The 31 year old from Manchester finds any opportunity to sing, she has even lent her voice to a drum & bass album in Japan.
Blind Audition: Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Team Tom - Matt and Sueleen
This couple famously flipped a coin to decide which judge to take.
Blind Audition: The Beautiful South - A Little Time
Team Tom - Lindsey Butler
Lindsey's mum egged her on to audition, and oh so very grateful we are. Her distinct country twang made Tom's head (and chair) turn.
Blind Audition: Rod Stewart - I Don't Want To Talk About It
Team Tom - Ruth Brown
This 20 year old has always had music in her life and has even sung for the Prime Minister.
Blind Audition: Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over
Team Tom - Deniece Pearson
You might recognise this woman from '80s band Five Star. Then again, you might not. Anyway she misses the fame game and wants in again.
Blind Audition: Christina Aguilera - Fighter
Team Will - Heshima Thompson
This singer, dancer, actor sang backing vocals for Amy Winehouse and made all four coaches turn.
Blind Audition: Taio Cruz - Dynamite
Team Will - Tyler James
Like another contestant on Will.I.Am's team, Tyler also has links with Amy Winehouse.
Blind Audition: Otis Redding - Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay
Team Will - Jenny Jones
Jenny Jones, who we might start calling Jenny J, began singing at church before hitting the pub circuit.
Blind Audition: Duffy - Mercy
Team Will - Joelle Moses
Joelle has already recorde backing vocals for the likes of Rihanna and Toni Braxton.
Blind Audition: Adele - Rolling In The Deep
Team Will - J Marie Cooper
After singing one of Jessie's own songs, the pink haired singer made all four judges turned their chairs.
Blind Audition: Jessie J - Mamma Knows Best
Team Will - Sophia Griffin
Sophie loves Danny O'Donoghue and has queued for eight hours to see him (twice). Shame he didn't turn around...
Blind Audition: Estelle - American Boy
Team Will - Frances Wood
This tender 18 year old boldly sang a Black Eyed Peas' hit to catch the coaches' attention. It worked: Will.I.Am turn his chair.
Blind Audition: Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love?
Team Will - Jay Norton
Jay landed himself a record deal 3 years ago, but unfortunately things didn't work out.
Blind Audition: Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar
Team Will - Jaz Ellington
Everyone remembers this guy's audition, not only was Jaz the only person to sing two songs, but his rendition of Ordinary People made the coaches cry.
Blind Audition: Ed Sheeran - A Team
Team Will - Kate Read
The bespectacled lass' audition song choice was inspired by her mother.
Blind Audition: Cyndi Lauper - True Colours
Simon Cowell has congratulated the BBC after The Voice claimed victory against Britain's Got Talent in the television ratings war last weekend. The BGT supremo...
Yet more bullish?t that is more about the judges/coaches(?) egos than the performers. And what the hell was the whole 'boxing match' concept anyway, I thought it was supposed to be just about 'the voice'. This format ENSURED that many of those excluded by one judge from the competition are far superior to those left in the competition by one of the others. Shame on you BBC!!
waylon136: Yet more bullish?t that is more about the judges/coaches(?) egos
The weeks have gone by with the voice starting off good and different and quite refreshing for the BBC who did state it would not have people with weepy stories for the sympathy vote then why oh why on sunday where the papers full of self harm,suicide attempts,being bullied and on and on no different from itvs BGT and Xfactor .BBC you are no better.Gave you a fair chance now I wont be watching.
smirbrt2: The weeks have gone by with the voice starting off
Give it another 20years and GB will be fed a diet of wall to wall 'reality' crap 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If 'the only way is' bullsh1t shows like this, what hope for the intelligence of humanity. One night a week was bad enough, but now two! Christ!
davidjcheese: Give it another 20years and GB will be fed a
Is Jessie on the right planet or was it a case of I picked her so Im sticking with her even if you all dont agree the boy was amazing the full package and thats what viewers want and Will was just as foolish getting rid of the 27 year old she was the best of the night
gransbibblybob: Is Jessie on the right planet or was it a
I have a feeling that whoever wins it won't really be any better than anyone who gets knocked out (well than most of them anyway). Also, I thought they were meant to be picking the better performer, yet Danny can say “I feel I have more to teach Aleks.”? - so he gets rid of someone who is apparently already better? What if Aleks is a slow learner?
acrylic99: I have a feeling that whoever wins it won't really
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Pat Higgins
:Everything Is Offensive (Including David Bowie)
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Posted: 22/04/2012 21:51 Updated: 22/04/2012 21:52