It’s the last of The Voice UK 2018 Battle Rounds on ITV 1! Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson, will.i.am and Olly Murs pit team members against each other in epic duets. Only one of the two will advance to the Knockouts, unless stolen by another coach. Each coach is allowed ONE steal. Only Will has a steal remaining.
TEAM TOM
Saskia Eng Vs Ruti Olajugbagbe – Dog Days Are Over by Florence & The Machine – Both singers are young, passionate. Both have heard the song AND are amenable to singing it. Sakia is ad libbing TOO much, Ruti not enough, says Tom in rehearsal. Ruti’s tone is lovely, warm and low. Saskia’s is a little strange. Both are unique singers. I prefer Ruti of the two. She sings with more control, her pitch is better. Jennifer feels they sing like seasoned vets. Tom chooses Ruti. THAT IS THE CORRECT CHOICE! Will STEALS Saskia
So that’s it? The remaining steal is doled out at the top of the show? WEIRD pacing.
TEAM OLLY
Lauren Bannon Vs Debbie Aramide – Praise You By Fatboy Slim (Hannah Grace version) – Olly thinks the two will bring out the best in each other. He was wowed after just a quick rehearsal. Unfortunately, Debbie loses her voice right before the battle. They are both worthy singers. Will should have saved his dang steal. Debbie’s voice is a little raspy–but she’s still powerful and in tune. Will calls Debbie “a trooper” and that she still sounded “miraculous.” Olly regrets putting them together. They are both so good! Olly chooses Lauren Debbie is eliminated Aw. Debbie looks devastated. Will you be dumb.
TEAM JENNIFER
Ant & Ox Vs Gayatri Nair – Skin by Rag N Boneman – Jennifer warns the duo that they have to sing in tune. It’s an odd matchup. Actually, all three together sound decent. But the solos have tuning issues. Ugh. The duo’s harmonies are so off. And they know they blew it. Jennifer says straight up that the rehearsal performance was better. Gayatri agrees. Jennifer Chooses Gayatri. Ant & Ox are Eliminated. Oh well. Jennifer has some cannon fodder to use in the knockouts.
TEAM OLLY
Shane McCormack Vs Ivy Paige – Sway by Rosemary Clooney – Shane feels a little awkward when Ivy is flirtatious on stage. Is he gay? Why yes he is. But that shouldn’t matter, should it? Ivy was the burlesque chick who turned on Olly with her audition. Ivy is not very good. Olly was definitely thinking with different parts when he turned for her. Shane’s a rather imitative swing singer, but I think he’s the winner here. Olly Chooses Shane Ivy is Eliminated. Good job on thinking with your brain, Olly, instead of something else. Shane is SHOCKED.
TEAM WILL
Wesu Wallace Vs Paige Young – Faith by Stevie Wonder & Ariana Grande – Wesu doesn’t know the song and he’s freaking out, because Paige jumped right into it. But by the studio rehearsal, he’s totally on top of it. Paige has the bigger voice. Wesu is the more interesting singer. Olly likes Paige’s stage performance. Tom calls it “high energy.” Tom prefers Wasu. Paige begs Will to put her through. Will chooses Paige Wasu is Eliminated
TEAM TOM
Jade Williams Vs Wayne Ellington – What About Us? by Pink – Jade was sure she’d battle Wayne. Will likely put them together because they are both older contestants. Wayne didn’t know the song, but once he became acquainted, he was sold. The performance is a little shouty. Jade is having some tuning problems. But she’s powerful. I’m not sure who I’d pick. Olly felt it was one of the best battles he’s seen. Jennifer doesn’t think Tom could go wrong either way. Tom Chooses Wayne Jade is Eliminated
Next week, the Knockouts begin, featuring very special guests.
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*You can watch The Voice UK live, online. ITV streams the show through the ITV Player. However, ITV blocks viewers from outside of the UK. To get around that, you need to use VPN connection. If Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is your preferred browser, install Hola extension and set them to UK server. Then open the ITV Player, make a free account and pick the right channel. The player will ask you for a ZIP code. Find an active UK ZIP code HERE. Make sure you have the cookies enabled. You can also try to find a working ITV stream on MyiPlayer.com, TVPC.com or FilmON.com.
