An aspiring pop star has told of his disbelief at being invited to audition for The Voice UK.
ITV has shared a short clip of young Derry man Jack McGee as he performs Yellow by Coldplay – a song he dedicated to his grandfather, with his proud family watching on from the wings.
Jack (20) went to St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s College in Claudy and is now working as a lifeguard.
Vocal talent runs in the family, with Jack saying his godfather and cousins are “really good singers”.
Watch: Talented NI singer dreams of pop stardom on The Voice UK
He told this newspaper: “I started to sing when I was six or seven and haven’t stopped since. I absolutely love it. I don’t go one day without singing.”
Jack didn’t go down what would be considered the traditional route of joining a school choir or singing in the pub, but like many young musicians these days, was astute enough to realise there is a worldwide audience to be reached on social media.
“I started doing TikTok in 2020 lockdown and it grew from then to where it is today,” he explained.
This year, The Voice UK, which airs on Saturday, has a refreshed line-up of judges with American country artist LeAnn Rimes and McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones replacing Olly Murs and Anne-Marie.
Sir Tom Jones remains a stalwart alongside rapper and record producer will.i.am.
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Recalling how he was discovered for the show, Jack said: “One of the workers from The Voice UK saw my TikTok cover and messaged me to do an audition.
“I couldn’t believe it because it is a show I have loved watching with the family since I was a kid.
“It was a dream of mine to audition for something like this ever since I was a kid, I absolutely loved singing and The Voice UK is such a brilliant show for singers.
“I love all the judges. It was a very nerve-wracking but an incredible experience.”
Jack, like all contestants, is sworn to secrecy about the show, but made it clear that regardless of how far he progresses, this is just the beginning of his journey.
Encouraging people to tune in and looking to the future, he said: “My granda Mal always told us whatever role we do or take in this lifetime, just go ‘make it happen’.
“So, Mal, this one’s for you… let’s make it happen.
“I want to sing in the future and be able to write songs. It’s always been my dream, let’s hope one day [it can happen].”
Tune in to ITV at 8pm on Saturday to watch Jack’s audition on The Voice UK and to see if he gets the all-important chair turn.