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 

By RYAN SMITH FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 20:50, 4 April 2015 | UPDATED: 23:01, 4 April 2015

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. 

The moment Stevie was crowned The Voice champion 2015

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

Will.i.am and Rita Ora upset as their acts don't make the final

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

Rita Ora covers up in white suit for The Voice final

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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Partially-sighted Andrea Begley is voted the winner of The Voice 2013

Partially-sighted Andrea Begley beats bookies favourite Leah McFall as she is voted the winner of The Voice 2013

By FAY STRANG

PUBLISHED: 20:40, 22 June 2013 | UPDATED: 00:11, 23 June 2013

Team Danny's Andrea Begley has been voted the winner of The Voice 2013 after receiving the most number of public votes.

Looking visibly shocked, after securing herself a recording contract, she said: 'I actually can't speak. I never could have imagined this. First and foremost I want to vote everyone who voted for me.'

Beating the bookies favourite Leah McFall, her proud mentor Danny O'Donoghue gushed: 'You are an inspiration to me.'

Winner: Andrea Begley has won The Voice 2013, securing herself a record contract

Proud: The singer received a kiss from her mentor as the news was announced

Mike Ward and Leah McFall were the other two acts who made it to the final. while Matt Henry was voted off in the first stage of the show.

In the build up to the final, all of the money had been for Leah, whose performances in recent weeks had seen her odds slashed from 6/1 to 2/7 before the start of the show’s finale which meant that Andrea’s odds drifted to 6/1 before the final.

Andrea no doubt won over the hearts of the public due to her positive attitude and ability to not allow being blind to get in the way of her dreams. 

The winner only has 10% vision, and her sight has been getting progressively worse since she was diagnosed with glaucoma at just five year’s old.

Victorious: Andrea beat Leah and Mike to win the television show

Favourite: Leah had been the bookies favourite to win for a number of weeks

Delighted: Andrea couldn't wipe the grin off her face

Stunning: Throughout the competition Danny regularly said that Andrea made the hair's on his body stand on end

In the middle of all the excitement it almost went unnoticed that as Holly announced the winner, she accidentally said 2003, rather than 2013. 

Taking to Twitter following the show, she made light of her rather big mistake: 'Well done Andrea!!! Can't wait till 2004! What a year that will be!!! Oops! X'

Mike Ward kick started the show with words of wisdom from his mentor Tom Jones telling him to ‘just be natural, be yourself’ urging him on. 

Taking to the stage the dapper looking singer, who wore a white shirt with black swallows printed on it, sung Elvis’ classic song Suspicious Minds.

Surrounded by glamorous looking women dressed in sexy black dress Mike looked a far cry from the boy who first auditioned on the show. 

Shocked: Andrea looked visibly taken aback that she had won the show

Final song: Andrea was joined on stage by all of those who took part in The Voice 2013 following her win

Voted off: Matt Henry was the first act to be voted off the live final

Following his performance Mike not only had the audience on his feet but Tom too.

Speaking to Holly about the song he said: ‘I love Elvis Presley, he’s a big inspiration for me.'

Tom wasted no time in gushing about his act and said: ‘He was very shy when he first came on and now he’s getting stronger and stronger all the time. He’s a lovely man and he deserves everything he’s going to get.’

Gracious: Matt took being voted off very well while Jessie said he didn't deserve it

Started: Mike Ward was the first singer to perform in the live final

Confident: The singer looked very comfortable as he danced with women in sexy black dresses

will.i.am was complimentary about his rival and said: ‘I was grooving. It was really great, congratulations.’

Danny agreed and said: ‘I think this was one of your best performances.’

While Jessie added: ‘I feel like you relaxed and enjoyed that. Well done.’

Next up was Andrea Begley, who was welcomed on stage after her mentor Danny said she had ‘the voice of an angel’

Singing My Immortal by Evanescene Andrea performed with an image of angel wings projected behind her.

As she sang her mentor Danny was on his feet swaying to her dulcet tones. 

Impressive: The 27-year-old stunned with her version of My Immortal by Evanescene

Winning: Danny will no doubt be delighted that his team member has won the show

Speaking after the 27-year-old from County Tyrone performed Danny revealed: 'She was really nervous before coming out. People have fallen in love with you over the last six weeks. There wasn’t one hair on my body that wasn’t standing up.’

Tom, who was also on his feet, said: ‘She has a beautiful sound. Very emotional. The pitch is really great.’

Jessie added: ‘I just want to say how proud I am of Andrea getting to the final.’

Different: Matt Henry started his performance of David Gray¿s Babylon from backstage

Ahead of the next act Matt Henry’s performance, his mentor Jessie gushed about him: ‘You know what. I am so picky about artists. I have enjoyed working with Matt so much. I see him as a friend. I see him beyond this show becoming a great artist.’

Rather unconventionally the 34-year-old began his performance of David Gray’s Babylon from backstage.

Pretending to gear up for a gig he gradually made his way to the stage, not once missing a note or taking his eyes off the camera. 

Overwhelmed: Jessie J was delighted by her act's performance

After getting all the judges on his feet he then sat on the edge of the stage to finish his performance.
Looking incredibly proud Jessie said: ‘It’s the final and that was a final performance. Amazing.’

Tom agreed and said: ‘I thought he was great. The performance was first class. He brought it to the party.’

Will was equally impressed and added: ‘Whatever happens on the show, what just happened, that was happening because that was art.’

Group performance: To start the show the judges took to stage for a group performance

The final act to sing was will.i.am’s Leah McFall from Belfast, ahead of which will said: ‘So Leah is a great singer and a great personality.’

Taking on the notoriously hard Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You, made famous by Whitney Houston,  Leah took to the stage wearing an extremely long pair of eyelashes and high wasted leather shorts. 

Will stared the comments and said: ‘Singing that song was a hard song. I was a friend of Whitney’s. I’m getting choked up. She would be very proud of you.’

Flapper: Jessie wore a silver 1920s style dress while her hair had a pink tinge

Tom agreed and added: ‘Leah is a freak but in the best possible well.’

While Danny used a slightly odd description: ‘God didn’t just kiss her throat he made out with it.’

Then it was the stage for the acts to sing with their mentors and first up was Mike who was singing Green Green Grass Of Home by Tom Jones with the man himself – Tom Jones.

Following the song Mike gushed: ‘It’s incredible. He’s one of the reasons I got into country music.’
While an ever supportive Tom added: ‘I’ve heard a lot of people sing it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone sing it better than Mike just did.’

Staging: Andrea performed her first song with wings projected behind her

Next up Andrea joined The Script to sing Hall Of Fame, which originally featured will.i.am.

After a very energetic performance Andrea said: ‘It was just an honour. I never thought I’d have an opportunity to sing with them.’

Danny looked equally as happy and said: ‘Tonight it wasn’t my band anymore. She owned the song.’

Duet: Jessie and Matt looked like they were having a great time as they sang together

The upbeat duet was followed by Jessie J and Matt, who performed Never Too Much by Luther Vandross, which they both seemed to thoroughly enjoy.

Matt couldn’t quite believe his luck and shouted: ‘How amazing is she?’

While Jessie gushed: ‘You know what is nice. We genuinely get on, we have fun which is what music is about. I have never met someone who deserves this son much.’

Fun: will.i.am and Leah put on a very stylish performance of Bang Bang

Last up came Leah and will for their duet of Bang Bang, originally performed by Nancy Sinatra, which was played in black and white 1920s style.

The pair put on a very impressive, stylish and choreographed performance which really showcased Leah’s voice.

Coming of the stage Will told Holly: ‘You know the reason I’m in love with Leah’s talent because I know she is going to entertain. She is the real deal.’

Brave: Holly wore a very eye catching dress which showed off a lot of cleavage

Following the solo and duets the phone lines were frozen as Dizzie Rascal and Robbie Williams took to the stage to perform their single Goin' Crazy.

After the votes had been counted it was revealed that Matt Henry would be the first act to leave the live final, after receiving the least amount of votes from the public.

The remaining three acts Mike, Andrea and Leah then had to sing their favourite song from the whole series, as the phone lines were opened once more.

Nervous: The acts all looked very nervous as they waited to find out who would be the first act to leave

Anxious: will was equally as concerned as the first act to be voted off was announced

Mike chose Don’t Close Your Eyes by Keith Whitley which he sung earlier in the competition. 

Following the performance Tom said: ‘Fantastic. That was the strongest that he’s done that song so far.’

While Danny added: ‘You certainly saved the best till last. I’m really proud of ya.’

Farewell: will made sure to say goodbye to Matt after he had been voted off

will received a number of boos when he said: ‘I thought it was a pretty cool song. I thought there were some bits which were flat.’

Next up Andrea took to the stage to sing her audition song - In The Arms Of An Angel by Sarah McLachlan.

Her mentor Danny looked very emotional ahead of her performance and after he gushed: ‘That was the best I’ve heard you sound. So relaxed, so confident.’

Impressed: will was delighted with his duet with Leah and gushed about how well it went

will said: ‘Everything was in key. She was in control. It was hypnotizing.’

Jessie agreed: ‘It feels like you take over my whole body. It’s like a spiritual thing.’

Tom was also in agreement, adding: ‘She gets me every time. I would like to say this Mike Ward was not flat tonight.’

Classic: will and Leah's performance started in black and white creating a beautiful image

Once last song: The finalists were all given the chance to sing their favourite songs from the series

Finally Leah took to the stage to perform Loving You by Minnie Riperton which wowed the judges the first time round. 

Her mentor, will.i.am, meanwhile was moved to tears before revealing that she had suffered from a sore throat all day. 

Jessie was equally impressed and said: ‘In my opinion Leah is the winner.’

However after a performance from Michael Buble, once all the votes had been counted, Andrea was announced as the winner of The Voice 2013.

Winning stuff: Andrea's last performance left everyone in the room moved

Break: Michael Buble took to the stage while the votes were counted

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2346518/Andrea-Begley-beats-bookies-favourite-Leah-McFall-voted-winner-The-Voice-2013.html#ixzz2WzjP5nhm
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