A music teacher who made it to the semi-finals of The Voice says his time in the competition has inspired him to produce a concert in Kent this summer.

Andrew Bateup, who grew up in Tunbridge Wells, won the support of both Olly Murs and Sir Tom Jones in his Blind Audition - before opting to join Team Olly.

The former Skinners School pupil breezed his way through the competition's battle rounds making it to the semi-finals before he was knocked out of the TV talent show.

Performing Bryan Adams' classic (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, he missed out after judge Olly Murs put through rival Grace Holden.

Reflecting on his time on the show, the 31-year-old said: "Once I was paired against Grace Holden, I knew I wouldn’t be progressing any further.

"She is an incredible singer. It’s been a wonderful experience but I'm ready for a new challenge."

As part of this new challenge, the 31-year-old says he is in talks with both the Assembly Halls and Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells and hopes to produce a concert this summer as something for people to look forward to after lockdown.

If Covid-19 restrictions allow, he said: "It’s very likely to feature acts from The Voice and some musical theatre stars from the West End.

"I’ve yet to decide on a theme but certainly along the lines of ‘the show must go on’."

Andrew 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.

More recently, he's been teaching singing at a girls' school in South West London and gigging on the side at weddings.

He is also hoping to produce his debut album featuring songs that have influenced his career so far ranging from musical theatre classics to jazz, soul, and even those he performed on the ITV show.

But having been out of work for six months because of the pandemic Andrew has turned to crowdfunding to make this dream happen.

He hopes to raise £10,000 to fund the album and make his long held ambition a reality.

To donate to his crowdfunder, click here.

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