'The Voice' UK semi-final live blog
Published May 26 2012, 17:49 BST | By Daniel Sperling
In tonight's semi-final, the likes of Ruth Brown and Jaz Ellington will try to convince you that they should be the last person left standing on Team Jessie, Team Danny, Team Tom and Team will.i.am.
The Voice might have been going through a bit of a rough patch, and we've got a sneaky suspicion that we know how the voting is going to go, but it's still top-class telly in our opinion. Quickly, scoff as much BBQ food as you can and join Digital Spy for all the action from 6.30pm.
19:52Well, that's it for another night. Tune in to The Voice UK tomorrow (or read the spoilers from tonight's filming) to find out who you've chosen to keep around. And don't forget to join Digital Spy for next week's final! Now if you excuse me, I've got a pitcher of Pimms waiting in the garden. Goodbye all!
19:47Fill us in ladies and gentlemen... was she miming? We couldn't quite work it out... maybe they should change the name of the show to The (pre-recorded) Voice in her honour. But whatever your thoughts on Chezza's vocal ability, she always puts on one heck of a show. Welcome back Ms Cole.
19:43Here she is, literally leaping onto the stage... it's Cheryl Cole. We'd like to imagine Simon Cowell is crying his eyes out listening to all those cheers.
19:40Holly tries to get the judges to say who in their team they liked best. Unsurprisingly, they're having none of it. But Danny says that if he was will he'd pick Tyler and will.i.am says if he was Danny he'd pick Bo. Jessie J, meanwhile, is more interested in swatting a fly. Next up... it's Cheryl.
19:36Well, I wasn't won over by that. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is classic because it's an absolute mess of a song that only Queen were able to tame. Tyler... he's no Freddie Mercury. But he has my respect for trying it - and for braving that hideous suit. And the coaches love it anyway - Jessie thought it was "really well done" and will says the song left him "lost for words".
19:31Here's Tyler James. After a VT that would make even The X Factor roll its eyes (because of reunions with mothers, nods to Amy Winehouse, etc), he bravely soldiers on with Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. Brave... very brave.
19:27Next is Bo Bruce, a lady whose jaw is undoubtedly aching with all those angels coming out of her mouth. This week she's plumped for Coldplay's 'Charlie Brown' and has again pulled out that leaning back, look over the shoulder performance style of hers. She's also managed to find the ripcord for the winner's confetti and is treating herself to a premature paper shower. When Holly turns to the judges, will.i.am credits her for having "stepped it up" and Jessie thinks she could "sing anything and make it sound Bo". Good stuff.
19:22Tom drops another name (Frank Sinatra this time) and says Becky "surprised" him with her "wonderful tone". Danny thought she was "amazing", but isn't sure about the song. Jessie gets a bit miffed at the others trying to remind her that The Voice is a competition. It's getting a bit heated down there... finally!
19:17Welcome on Becky Hill. She's ditched the rock/punk thing she had going on for a easy listening classic... that Corinne Bailey Rae song that's not 'Put Your Records On'. Hopefully she'll get through this one without dropping an F-bomb.
19:16She's singing Whitney Houston's 'Run to You' and, to be fair, she's doing a hell of a job. Maybe I spoke too soon and we're on for a major upset tomorrow... Danny thinks her song was "so gorgeous" (agreed) and will.i.am actually crashes under the weight of her performance, spluttering out "dope"s like nobody's business. So glad we didn't try that drinking game from earlier. This live blog would be finished from A&E.
19:09Next up is Leanne Mitchell. Aka dead woman walking. We find out she had some lovely locks and a recording contract as a youngster, but it all slipped through her fingers. Knowing that it's going to happen again just made this performance really awkward...
19:08Reggie is in the 'V Room' with the contestants. I never bother listening to the artists at this point, I always just scan the Twitter wall to see if a profanity-filled piece of abuse has slipped through.
19:06Jessie J points out that there were pitching issues, but she kinda liked the performance. She also wants to see Jaz out of his suit sometime (ooh 'er). Tom thinks Jaz made the song his own, while Danny is concerned that will.i.am might take him "middle of the road". Frankly, middle of the road would be an improvement. This man bores the heck out of me!
19:01On stage now is Jaz Ellington. He's not singing to his sobbing wife this week, but there are some cute children to pimp out alongside his performance of 'Let It Be'. Next week he'll serenade some dying puppies...
18:59will.i.am is reluctant to comment on Max's performance, saying he doesn't want to say anything that will influence the votes. Um, isn't that your job? Anyway, he thought he played it a little too safe - It's a very awkward little moment, signposted by the number of times that will is forced to clear his throat. Jessie J says that Max is going to leave the competition either this week or next week (this week) and he needs honest criticism, because he's going to get in the real world. Tom also thinks it was a bit too close to The Police. Danny, meanwhile, thinks they're "all crazy". Oh, I do love it when The Voice gets uncomfortable - this is almost as good as Jessie J messing up her words.
18:53Max Milner is next up. He admits he's surprised Danny chose to keep him and asks "Why should Danny save me again?" Um... because every show needs its own Katie Waissel? Anyway, he's singing stalker classic 'Every Breath You Take'. Probably not the best song to hear in his breathy voice...
18:50Urgh, we'd suggest starting a Voice drinking game where you have to take a shot every time will.i.am says "dope", but we don't want to kill any of our readers. Jessie admits she didn't choose that song and credits Vince for being 'an artist' and not just a singer. But is that enough to get him a place in the final? You decide!
18:46Despite the fact that Vince didn't come out sporting a big blonde beehive, we're still pretty impressed with that rendition. He admits to Holly he's worried he's not wearing the right outfit - Vince, leather trousers are never right.
18:45Next up is Vince Kidd. The battle between the final two on Team Jessie is probably the closest out of all of them, so he'll have to put on a big performance tonight. Luckily, he's chosen a belter of a tune - 'Back To Black' by Amy Winehouse. Hmm, wonder what Tyler thinks of that selection...
18:41Standard performance from Ruth there - loud, roaring notes complimented by a few tears. Danny calls her rendition of Christina Aguilera's 'The Voice Within' "incredibly emotional" and will.i.am says he was worried her vocals would make his torch set on fire (of course it would, it's papier-mâché). Jessie J wants a front row seat at her future gigs in Wembley Arena. Hey, join the queue, Jess.
18:37So Ruth Brown is on first. We suspect sticking her in the death slot is a conscious attempt to make the battle between her and Leanne Mitchell a little less one-sided... it won't.
18:34Holly Willoughby (looking a bit like classic Batman villain Poison Ivy) and Reggie Yates are out in force, as are the coaches. Expect the usual insightful comments from them - for example will.i.am, sitting next to the BBC props department's best attempt at the Olympic Torch, gets a cheer just for saying that both his acts are great singers. Judging by numbers...
18:31Hello all. Kudos on having the courage to ditch the sunshine for The Voice UK. You've made the right decision... probably.
It is always so fun to see Danny get so up in arms at people not bullshitting
May 26th 2012 at 9:53pm
Cheryl was blatantly miming, but she gave a great performance.
May 26th 2012 at 8:22pm(+1 like)
What a surprise... Cheryl miming through pre-recorded 'live sounding" vocals!!!!
May 26th 2012 at 7:52pm(+1 like)
Marcel Marcau would have been proud of that performance
May 26th 2012 at 7:52pm(+1 like)
Cheryl was amazing!!!!!!!
May 26th 2012 at 7:52pm(+2 likes)