Will.i.am, Kylie Minogue, Sir Tom Jones and Ricky Wilson are back to find the nation a vocal super star. As ever, it’s their backs that the artists see as they try to get the coaches to turn and offer them a place on their team. Each coach is working towards a team of 12 acts and will fight to get the artists they want on their teams.
Getting us started is 19 year old Jamie from Gillingham. We learn that Jamie enjoys cuddles with his mum and pays his sister £5 to be his roadie. Big spender Jamie sings ‘So Sick’ and the coaches interest seems peaked but it’s only towards the end of his performance that Kylie, Ricky and Tom hit their buttons. Tom thought Jamie was a girl but says he loved every minute. Ricky offers him ‘lots of fun and matching t-shirts.’ Kylie commends his soul voice and pop tones and wins another act for her team. Kylie’s ‘army’ is starting to cause Ricky and Tom concern!
Irish dog lover Mairead is next. She loves singing and says there is no Plan B but her family have told her she is not getting any younger so it’s now or never! Mairead has chosen ‘Purple Rain’ (excellent choice Mairead). Again Kylie beats the boys, hitting her button on the big power note and all but Will want Mairead on their team. Ricky says it was incredible and Kylie says she is still trying to recover from the ‘wall of sound.’ Mairead reminds Tom that he sang Purple Rain, she saw it on YouTube, making the coaches chuckle. Mairead opts to join Team Tom because he reminds her of his dad when he smiles. We suspect Mairead will be a handful for the Silver Bear.
31 year old Lewis now, he has moved home to devote more time to his singing career and it makes picking up girls tricky. After serenading Emma, Lewis turns his attention to the coaches and performs ‘Cryin’ which he may well be after this as he fails to impress. Will tries to help Lewis with some horse related vocal tips. We also meet 39 year old painter and decorator Jimmy, who informs us ‘he is not living for the paint brush’. Jimmy sings the beautiful Eagles song ‘Desperado’ and Ricky takes a liking to it straight away and turns pretty snappily. Tom and Kylie share a decisive nod and turn simultaneously on the final note. We think Jimmy is best suited to Ricky’s team however he falls under Kylies spell and Jimmy becomes the fourth act to join Team Minogue.
Next we have Kelsey-Beth who used to be in Emmerdale – queue some comparisons to soap star turned pop star Kylie. Kelsey-Beth sings ‘Fell in Love with a Boy’. We are pretty surprised when Kylie and Ricky turn because we weren’t really feeling it. Ricky tries his very best to woo Kelsey-Beth however Kylie says he ‘can’t fight with what’s going to happen’. The audience chant Kylie but Kelsey-Beth admits she has fallen for Ricky and joins Team Wilson.
Bob now, he’s a 55 year old family man and works in a chilled warehouse where they call him BobFM on account of his constant singing. Is Bob going to be the first act Will wants tonight? Bob sings ‘Cry Me a River’. The other judges beg Tom to turn but the Welsh wonder holds out and poor Bob is not going through to the Battles. Tom says Bob should be a professional singer and his singing was flawless, Bob says it was a great pleasure to sing for him. The coaches and Emma actually seem genuinely upset that Bob went home.
East Londoner Miles now, he came to audition last year but was suddenly called away due to his Nieces ongoing illness, Miles is hoping this year is his time to shine. Miles has opted for ‘I (Who Have Nothing)’ and he’s got Mr i.Am throwing some shapes in his seat. Unfortunately after a promising start the performance goes a bit wobbly and the coaches don’t turn. Will says it seems like he came to produce not to sing. Poor Miles gets upset because he messed up a bit and kindly Kylie goes to give him some support. She whispers that they messed up because they didn’t turn around for him. The coaches all seem a bit upset to loose Miles too.
17 year old vintage lover Sophie-May now. Sophie-May busks in Wakefield and is most inspired by her Grandad. Sophie sings a classy version of the Cindi Lauper classic ‘Time After Time’ and Will closes his eyes, is this good sign? Will turns! Just as we had all given up hope! Classic i.am! Welcome to Team Will Sophie. Will and Sophie-May bond over a love of jazz.
Jermain now, he is a Hackney boy passionate about two things – music and politics. He wants to try and break some of the stereotypes about what young people can achieve. Jermain is singing the very ambitious ‘And I Am Telling You’. The coaches look a bit perplexed but the audience are loving it. Jermain has a great voice but it does sound a bit musical theatre. Wait – sneaky Willy strikes again! On the final note Jermain earns a place on Team Will. Will is delighted to have a singing politician on his team and says he’s not in the business of letting superstars walk away.
