A Kent singer who secured a place in the semi-finals of ITV's 'The Voice' says performing on the show has been 'terrifying but exhilarating'.

Andrew Bateup from Tunbridge Wells made it through on Saturday night after winning the battle round against fellow Team Olly contestant Matt Croke.

In the sing-off the pair, who both have musical theatre backgrounds, sang 'Always' by Bon Jovi with Olly opting to take Andrew through to the next round.

The 31-year-old teacher said: "I genuinely thought that I was going to be leaving. Two days before we filmed the battle episode, I lost the upper range of my voice. I ended up having to adapt the melody.

"There was a huge sense of relief when I got through.

"It really is quite surreal when you’re being praised by the likes of Sir Tom Jones. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.

"It would be an understatement to say Olly is a great coach. He has been unbelievably supportive behind the scenes. It really is what you see is what you get with him and that's part of the reason I chose him."

Having performed in the UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and also in the US in the Choir Of Man, Andrew said having the chance to perform again is part of what motivated him to put on a stand-out performance.

He added: "Matt and I both wanted to put on a good performance as representatives of the theatre industry which has suffered dramatically over the past year.

"We have both missed performing so much and felt incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to sing with a live band on national television during the pandemic."

Next week's episode will see the start of the semi-finals where the 12 remaining singers hope to impress their coaches to earn a place in the live finals and be in with the chance of winning a recording contract.

Those who are not so lucky will be sent home.

In his blind audition, Andrew impressed the judges with his version of Michael Bolton's 'How Am I Supposed to Live Without You'.

Despite having 10 years of performing experience behind him, the former Skinners' School pupil said nothing could have prepared him for the show.

With no live audience this year because of the virus, you might think that would take some of the pressure away but Andrew said: "I have never been so nervous in my life. I don’t think it helped that we had a virtual audience as the studio was completely silent.

"It's terrifying but equally exhilarating."

As he prepares for the semi-finals, Andrew has described his song as 'one of the greatest selling singles of all time in the UK'.

Follow his journey on Instagram and twitter on @andrewbateup.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells