Ricky Wilson's protégé Stevie McCrorie is crowned winner of The Voice after beating will.i.am's opera singer Lucy O’Byrne in grand finale
Scottish fireman Stevie McCrorie has been crowned the champion of The Voice 2015 following a hear-fought finale that saw him face off against Irish opera singer Lucy O'Byrne on Saturday.
The family man came top in the audience vote after following the elimination of fellow finalists Sasha Simone and Emmanuel Nwamadi.
As his name was read out by co-hosts Emma Willis and Marvin Humes, an emotional Stevie said: 'I'm so lost for words right now. I can't thank everyone enough for doing this for me.
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Champ: Ricky Wilson's protégé, Stevie McCrorie, was named the winner of The Voice on Saturday
'I never thought this was possible... Everyone that's voted for me, please go and buy that single and start my career.'
His rendition of Adam Levine's Lost Stars, which he and Lucy performed in their final effort to garner votes on the night, was poised for release just three hours after he was crowned the champ.
As he closed out the show with his performance of the song, he was joined on the stage by all of the show's finalists, who warmly embraced him amid raucous cheers and applause.
Grateful: Speaking with co-host Emma Willis, he expressed his gratitude for the support he'd received
Straight to business: His rendition of Adam Levine's Lost Stars was set for release hours after his win
Rival: Stevie beat Lucy O'Byrne to the title, after she became the first opera singer to make it to the final
Anticipation: He held hands with Lucy as the pair waited to hear their fate at the end of the two-hour show
Disbelief: On learning of his win, Stevie appeared to be in disbelief as he hugged a gracious Lucy
Winner: After a tense finale, the pair embraced tightly as the live studio audience cheered and applauded
Gracious: Theatre usher Lucy thanked the voting public and will for changing her life
After being named runner-up, theatre usher Lucy said: 'Hopefully this will lead on to me being a singer now and not have to go back to selling ice cream... I can't thank you enough for voting for me and will for taking me this far. It's changed my life. Thank you.'
Earlier in the night, Sasha and Emmanuel made early exits despite their vocal efforts leaving judges Rita Ora, Sir Tom Jones, Will.i.am and Ricky Wilson speechless.
Speaking to her mentor, Sir Tom Jones, bricklayer Sasha said: 'I love you with all my heart. Thank you for everything you've done for me and thank you for believing in me.'
End of the road: Sasha Simone and Emmanuel Nwamadi, seen with co-hosts Emma Willis and Marvin Humes, were the first two acts to be eliminated from Saturday's grand finale of The Voice
Still standing: The pair's elimination left Lucy O’Byrne and Stevie McCrorie to battle it out for the crown
Emmanuel, who had made a name for himself as a shy contestant with a powerful voice, retained his broad smile as he told his mentor, Ricky: Thank you so much for believing in me. You're awesome, seriously. Thank you so much.'
Fighting back tears, Ricky said of the contestant: 'Out of everyone, he's such a gentleman. I've got so much respect for him. I haven't got any words. I'm gutted, mate.'
Lucy looked shocked as she was named as the first person to be making it through to the final two. She hugged her fellow contestants before going backstage, followed by Stevie.
Shy guy: Noted for his quiet calmness, Emmanuel thanked his mentor, Ricky Wilson
Emotional: Bricklayer Sasha fought back tears as she thanked her mentor, Sir Tom Jones, for believing in her
Despite her elimination, Sasha consistently wowed the judges as she kicked off the show with David Guetta and Emeli Sandé's What I Did For Love.
Tom said of her talents: 'She's been wonderful. She's been strong, powerful, singing like an angel. That's all I've asked her to do.'
Added Rita: 'You're the best vocalist we've had in this competition so far... I know that you don't believe that. You need to believe that... If you carry it through, everyone is by your side.'
Young at heart: As she prepared for her final performance, Sir Tom introduced her singer Will Young
Words of wisdom: Will, who won the 2002 series of Pop Idol, advised her on what to anticipate as a winner
For her second performance, she teamed up with her mentor to perform the classic song Chain Of Fools, made famous by Aretha Franklin.
University student Emmanuel also won over his VIP audience with his stirring rendition of Goyte and Kimbra's Somebody That I Used To Know.
Rita unintentionally drew laughs as she told Emmanuel: 'You have always been my underdog and I've always sort of secretly wanted you.'
Duet: Lucy was joined on the stage by her mentor, will.i.am, for an opera-rap fusion of Carmen's Habanera
Hip-hopera: The pair switched between Lucy's rich vocals and will's interesting choice of rap lyrics
As audience members cheered and wolf whistled, she exclaimed: 'You know what I mean!'
Emmanuel later returned with Ricky to duet on the Seal hit Crazy. And, after initially stumbling on the lyrics, he went on to put on a performance that drew the audience to their feet.
Irish beauty Lucy made history as the first classical singer to make it to the final of the show.
Duet: Stevie was joined on the stage by Ricky Wilson for a duet of The Beatles' Get Back
Psychedelic: The pair performed on a retro-themed stage as they belted their way through the classic
She kicked off her night of performances an impressively reworked rendition of Radiohead's No Surprises as she graced the stage in a floor-length, embellished gown.
Her mentor, will.i.am, cooed: 'You're one of the most magical singers that's ever been in this competition.'
But her most memorable moment of the night was when she took to the stage with the Black Eyed Peas star perform a rap-opera fusion of Habanera from Carmen.
The only one: Rita Ora was the only one of the show's mentors not to have an act in the final
Taking to the stage: She was later joined by Charles Hamilton as she performed New York Raining
As she captivated the audience with her hauting voice, will rapped such lines as: 'I call her big mama, she call me big papa,' who go on to have a baby that says 'goo goo gaga'.
After Sasha and Emmanuel's double elimination, Lucy was back again, to treat the audience to Maria Callas' Ebben? Ne Andrò Lontana.
Ahead of being crowned the champ, Stevie started the night performing The Pretenders' I'll Stand By You, prompting Ricky to say: 'It's brilliant to see a man who had a dream following a dream.'
Special guest: Paloma Faith also performed on the night, singing her soulful track Beauty Remains
Showgirl: She donned a dramatic sweeping gown as she wowed the audience with her vocal talents
His later performances included The Beatles' Get Back, as a duet with Ricky, and solo performances of Kodaline's All I Want and his new single, Lost Stars.
Performers on the night included Rita Ora, Paloma Faith and The Script, whose frontman Danny O'Donoghue had previously served as a mentor on the show.
He admitted that returning to the show was 'bittersweet' while also commending his replacement, Ricky Wilson.
He's back! Former mentor Danny O'Donoghue returned to the show to perform with his band The Script
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3025880/Sasha-Simone-Emmanuel-Nwamadi-eliminated-Voice-s-grand-finale.html#ixzz3WNpGoyH4
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