More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Two artists from Kent will tonight fight for their place in the live finals of The Voice UK.
Andrew Bateup, who grew up in Tunbridge Wells, secured a spot on Team Olly after his performance of Michael Bolton's 'How Am I Supposed to Live Without You' in his blind audition.
After winning the battle round against fellow musical theatre performer Matt Croke, Andrew has made it to the semi-finals where he will tonight perform alongside rapper James Okulaja, from Gillingham, representing Team Will.I.Am.
In the show on ITV at 8.30pm, Andrew will sing ‘Everything I Do, I Do It For You’ by Bryan Adams accompanied by his piano.
The former Skinners' School pupil said: "The song is so iconic so there is some added pressure but I hope the viewers enjoy listening to my version.
"Despite playing the piano since I was very young, it’s not something that I’m familiar with on stage.
"It’s always a risk giving yourself more things to have to concentrate on but I think it helps set me apart from some of the other contestants.
"I never thought I would be as nervous as I have been what a great experience it has been so far.
"In the semi-final episodes, three contestants from the same team go head to head to impress their coach.
One act is then chosen to progress through to the public vote. The public will then choose who takes that lucky place in the live final.
Andrew will go up against Grace Holden and Nathan Smoker.
The 31-year-old went into the world of musical theatre after leaving college and performed on the UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for three years and also toured the US in the Choir Of Man.
James Okulaja chats to Tommaso Dimiddio from KMTV.
More recently, he has been teaching singing at a girls' school in South West London and gigging on the side at weddings as a singing waiter.
Also waving the flag for Kent tonight is James Okulaja, one of the youngest contestants in the competition.
The 18-year-old stunned the judges with his bold rendition of Billie Eilish's 'Everything I Wanted' in his blind audition securing a spot on Team Will.I.Am.
After rapping his heart out about equality, anti-bullying and togetherness, the Rainham Mark head boy was originally eliminated from the competition battle round two weeks ago.
But, in a surprise twist he was called back to Team Will.I.Am and is now hoping to make it through to the final.
Speaking to KMTV ahead of his performance, he said: "It's my favourite on the show so far, I have so much fun with it and I speak about some really important topics.
"I'm so grateful I was given another opportunity to showcase my rapping."
James is also an anti-bullying ambassador for the charity The Diana Award.
James has built a following on the global social media platform, TikTok, with his inspirational raps and personal messages of guidance to the younger generations.
Before the show he had 500,000 followers and over 14 million likes on his account.
