The Voice UK 2018 Premiere Blind Auditions Live Blog (VIDEO)

The Voice UK airs tonight at 8:00pm BST (9:00pm CEST, 3:00pm EDT, 12:00pm PDT) on ITV 1.

Tonight, The Voice UK 2018 premieres on iITV 1! Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson, will.i.am return to the coaches panel. Joining them is newbie the X Factor UK’s Olly Murs.

So, here we go…

First, let’s meet the new kid Olly Murs. He wants to change somebody’s life! We’re two for two as far as ex reality stars on this coaches panel. Interesting that they’re both from those OTHER shows 

Next, the coaches perform together. Vocal powerhouse JHud kicks off “Feeling Good.” Sir Tom is next. Oh look. There’s Olly descending from the ceiling! will.i.am makes a grand entrance.  It all ends with confetti.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDrJ2RRCq2k

Jake Benson – 26 – West London – Issues by Julia Michaels – He left school at 16 and is currently a carpenter. He keeps fit, and is raising a son. “He’s my best mate,” he says. Singing is the only time he allows himself to be vulnerable.  His hair is…interesting. He’s got a whispery yet emotional voice. Jennifer and Tom turn first. Not a very powerful voice, he makes the most of what he has. There are some pitchy spots, especially toward the end. He loses control a little bit. Olly turns at the very last minute. Tom thinks his voice is original. He loves his tone. “You like a girl snatcher,” says Will. “That’s why I turned around.” Hm. Jennifer loves his voice so much, she wants to hear it again. “I’m just exploring your instrument,” she says. Oop. “You have all the tools to win this show,” says Tom. “The tools?” says Will. Everyone’s mind is in the gutter. Olly says he competed on a singing show at his age. Jhud says same AND she won an Oscar. Welp. That did it, I guess. – Three turns Jake Chooses Jennifer 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTVt8jxIYso&t=15s

Chloe Jones – 22 – Manchester – Just Like a Star by Corinne Bailey Rae – She works in a coffee shop and does music on the side. She performs solo with only guitar. Her vocal is very intimate. A little warbly and unsure. I think she’s nervous. Nevertheless, Tom turns immediately. Olly’s faces. He looks like he’s smelt something bad. At the last minute Olly and Will.i.am hit their buttons. Will is a little annoyed that Olly turned. “I’m a big fan already,” says Olly. “It felt so effortless….gentle,” says Will. Tom’s glowing face convinced him to turn, Will claims. “You lived that song…you were in it…honest,” says Tom. – 3 turns Chloe chooses Tom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFBnP05JOCY

Lauren Bannon – 27 – Weymouth – Lean On by Major Lazer – She lives seaside with her wife.  Olly turns first. Jennifer is next, much to Olly’s chagrin. Her bold, strong voice has character. It’s sturdy, confident. And it’s the first 4 chair turn of the night as Tom and Will hit their button. Jennifer calls her instrument, “Pure and clear.” she loves her control. Tom thinks 27 is a great age. He can tell she knows her own artistry. Olly reminds her he was the first to turn. “I got songs coming out of my head right now,” he says. Will wonders why she hasn’t seen success yet. He wants to be in her corner. – 4 turns, Lauren Chooses Olly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o09lMvlgn1s

Niall Donnelly – 36 – Omagh Northern Ireland – Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day – He’s married and has a son. He sang at his own wedding. I think–he speaks with a VERY thick brogue! Niall would really like Sir Tom to turn his chair. He’s having some pitch problems. It’s so obvious when the singers are nervous. No turns yet. No turns at all. Sad. And that whole horrible no remarks for losers deal is still in play on The Voice UK. After, the coaches say he was good, but don’t really get specific about why they didn’t turn.  – NO TURNS

Jimmy Balito – 22 –  Sussex – Concrete by Tom Odell – Currently, he works in a nursery and is the youngest of seven siblings. He has a lovely falsetto and the ability to move from his chest voice and upper register with ease. His delivery is effortless. Pretty tone and strong vocal dynamics. And nobody is turning for this guy? What the hell. “gutted” he says to himself after he finishes. OK. That was a big mistake.  And the coaches seem to know it. – NO TURNS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sLBOuKZmns

Now, it’s time for a Jennifer Hudson singalong to “Spotlight.” Didn’t she do that last season? Oh she’s passing the plate literally.  Like in church. It makes no sense. But you go girl?

Jason Nicholson-Porter – 33 – London – Amazing Grace – He’s a gospel singer. Married with three very rambunctious kids. “My voice was nurtured in the church,” he says. “Gospel is what I want to do, and I’m proud of it.” He performs “Amazing Grace.” Hey, you’re supposed to save the God card for later in the season? He sings in a muppety voice. Nasal. Jennifer digs it though. She pushes her button right away. He performs a very soulful version of the song. TOO MANY RUNS THOUGH. Jennifer is the only turn. But considering, it’s meant to be. His kids join him on stage. “I have been waiting for that song and that voice,” she says. The kids have the collection plate and are taking it around the audience. Jennifer promises the money collected will go to charity. – Jennifer is the Only Turn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik001amGeI0

RYT – Tania (24) and Ryan (30) – London – Nizlopi by JCB Song – The duo have been a couple for a year. They met on a dating app. Ryan stalked her on Facebook. Jennifer perked up when Ryan began singing. His voice is more distinctive, for sure. The voices don’t blend very well. These harmonies are awful, actually. Still, Olly, Jennifer and Tom hit their buttons. OK then. Tom thinks they have a lovely sound and gel well together? Hm. 3 turns RYT choose Olly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT2pzaGZkM8

And it’s another Jennifer sing along. She sings “I Never Loved a Man” by Aretha. It’s yer typical Jennifer joint. But then Tom Jones jumps in to sing the call backs. Now we’re on to something! This is actually pretty fab. These two need to do a duet stat. 

Donel Mangena – 16 – Southampton –  Coldwater by Major Lazer ft Justin Bieber – His dad built him a studio in the shed out back. His parents are from Zimbabwe and he actually lived there for a couple of years. The little twist? He sings the chorus in his native language. His grandma is very cute. When Jennifer turns, he flirts with her. Boi! Eventually all four coaches turn. Donel is one of those younguns who is just this side of ready? He’s got potential. But he needs to work on pitch and confidence. His entire family takes the stage. Cute grandma is dancing around. “There’s your winner!” someone in he audience says, “You hit my heart,” says Will. “You pick me bro, you got me for however long you want me in your life.” JHud is ready to “Physically fistfight” for Donel. Olly is ready to take her up on her challenge. Tom says he’s “right on the money from beginning to end.” Olly says, “I truly believe you’re a star.” Jennifer reminds him that she won last year (of course, she doesn’t mention being shut out of the US finale. AHEM).  4 turns Donel Chooses Will – That promise to help him after the show probably did it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80QcHHXEZDQ

That’s it! See you next Saturday.