The Voice UK has produced a number of successful singers since its inception in 2012. With a panel including Sir Tom Jones, Jessie J, will.i.am, and The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue, the show has been a platform for many aspiring artists. Many of these have gone on to achieve success in their musical careers.
Notably, the show received backlash for failing to produce a bonafide star who sells hundreds of thousands of records. Nevertheless, we have compiled 10 of the most successful singers from The Voice UK. Read on to know more.
1. Becky Hill
Up first is the British singer-songwriter Becky Hill who rose to prominence after joining the first series of The Voice UK. Despite being only 17 at the same, her journey was marked by incredible performances that wowed both the judges and the audience.
Hill performed “Ordinary People” during the blind auditions, after which she chose to join the team of Jessie J. She moved on to the live shows and to the semi-final stage where she was eliminated. Despite not winning, she has garnered a legion of fans during and after her stint on the show.
What’s more, Hill’s career took off. She achieved significant success with her single “Gecko (Overdrive).” It topped the UK Singles Chart, making her the first The Voice UK contestant to achieve such.
Today, Hill is a recognized pop queen in the industry. She even won two ASCAP London Music Awards and two BRIT Awards.
2. Andrea Begley
Next, we have the winner of the show’s second series, Andrea Begley. Known for her inspiring attitude and self-belief, she overcame numerous obstacles and secured a place on Team Danny.
While on the show, Begley wowed the judges and audiences with her renditions of “Angel,” “Songbird,” and “My Immortal.” Her version of “Angel” during the final contributed to her victory.
Beyond The Voice, Begley has continued her musical journey. She released her debut studio album in 2013, which features “My Immortal,” her winning single from the show. The album debuted at #7 on the UK Albums Chart.
She has an active YouTube channel where she shares her music, and she continues writing and releasing new music.
3. Kevin Simm
Winning the fifth series of The Voice UK further cemented Kevin Simm‘s place in the music industry. He first gained popularity as a part of the pop group Liberty X and is currently the lead singer of the group Wet Wet Wet.
Simm’s journey on The Voice was characterized by stunning performances that showcased his vocal versatility. His version of Sia’s “Chandelier” during the blind auditions impressed both the judges and the audience. Other memorable performances include “Stay” and “Rolling in the Deep.”
Following his win, Simm released his debut single, “All You Good Friends.” It reached #24 in the UK and #3 in Scotland. He also released his second album, Recover, under Universal.
Despite the ups and downs of his career, Simm’s talent and determination have made him a standout figure in the British music scene.
4. Bo Bruce
Up next is the Wiltshire, England-born Bo Bruce, whose real name is Lady Catherine Anna Brudenell-Bruce. Even before joining The Voice, she had already carved her place in the music industry with her EP Search the Night (2010).
In The Voice, Bruce shot to fame during the first series of the show. She impressed the judges and audience with her unique vocal style and emotive performances. One of her most memorable performances was “Running Up That Hill.”
After The Voice, Search the Night charted at #19. In 2013, after signing with Polar Patrol Publishing, Bruce released her first single, “Save Me,” and her debut album, Before I Sleep. The album peaked at #10 on the UK Album Chart.
In 2015, Bruce formed Equador with electronic musician Henry Binns. She continues to make music and collaborate with other artists.
5. Jermain Jackman
The winner of the third series and the first male to win The Voice is Jermain Jackman. Born in London in 1995, his passion for music and politics set him apart from many contestants on the show.
During his stint on The Voice, Jackman delivered memorable performances, including “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” “A House is Not a Home,” and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” which peaked at #39 on the iTunes chart.
His self-titled debut album and debut single, “How Will I Know,” both came out in March 2015. He appeared again on The Voice UK to perform his debut single.
6. Stevie McCrorie
The Scottish singer-songwriter and firefighter Stevie McCrorie won the fourth series of The Voice UK in 2015. He auditioned with Kodaline’s “All I Want,” showcasing his unique vocal talent. His rendition caught the attention of the judges, all of whom turned their chairs for him.
His journey from the blind auditions to his victory has been well-documented, offering fans a look into his growth as a musician. He released his debut single, “Lost Stars,” just a day after his win. It peaked at #1 on the Scottish Singles Chart and #6 on the UK Singles Chart.
His album Big World reached #35 on the UK Albums Chart. After appearing on The Voice in 2016 to promote the album, it re-entered the Scottish Albums Chart, peaking at #15 and UK Albums Chart at #70.
After parting ways with his record label, McCrorie returned to his job as a firefighter. At the same time, he was still pursuing a career in music as an independent artist.
7. Molly Hocking
English singer-songwriter Molly Hocking rose to fame after winning The Voice UK‘s eighth series. She had been studying acting, dance, and singing at her local theater before her success on the show.
During her stint on The Voice, Hocking showed her powerful and emotionally resonant voice. Her performances made her a fan favorite, ultimately leading her to victory. Some of her memorable performances are “Human,” “Stars,” and “I’ll Never Love Again.”
Following her win, Hocking released her debut single, “After the Night Before.” Though she was no longer signed to Polydor at this point, she continued to pursue her passion for music.
8. Ruti Olajugbagbe
In 2018, Ruti Olajugbagbe won the seventh series of The Voice UK. She was only 18 at that time but showcased her distinct talent and vocal abilities.
During her time on the show, Olajugbagbe was part of Team Tom Jones. One of her most memorable performances was her version of “Dreams” during the knockouts. Other than that, her duet of “What a Wonderful World” with Tom Jones also left a lasting impression.
After her win, she released her debut EP, Racing Cars, in 2019 through the record label Polydor. She appeared on the next series of The Voice to promote her lead single, “Racing Cards.”
Unfortunately, Polydor dropped her, but Olajugbagbe continued pursuing music. In 2021, she signed with PMR Records, part of the Universal Music Group.
9. Mo Adeniran
Up next we have the winner of The Voice‘s sixth series in 2017. Mo Jamil, a Nigerian-English singer, rose to fame at just 21 years old.
Under the mentorship of Jennifer Hudson, Jamil showcased his raw talent on the show. His journey on The Voice was marked by several standout moments, including his performance of “A Change Is Gonna Come” and “Unsteady.”
In 2018, Jamil released his debut studio album, Evolve, which peaked at #36 on the UK Albums Chart. Despite his success on The Voice, Jamil was reportedly dropped by his record label. Nevertheless, he continues to pursue his passion for music.
10. Leanne Mitchell
Winning the inaugural series of The Voice propelled the English pop singer Leanne Mitchell into recognition. Born in 1983, she showed early signs of musical talent. She writes music and plays the piano and the organ.
At 15, she was already performing at Potters Leisure Resort and was a regular in Potters Theatre Company productions.
In 2012, Mitchell joined the first series of The Voice under Team Tom Jones. Some of her most memorable performances include “If I Were a Boy,” ” I Put a Spell on You,” and “The Edge of Glory.” She came out the winner and released a cover version of “Run to You” as her debut single.
Despite winning, Mitchell’s self-titled debut was considered a flop as it only reached #134 on the chart. Nevertheless, she continues to be known for her unique voice and the passion she brings to her performances.
Summing Up Our List Of Successful The Voice UK Singers
Singing competitions are one of the best ways to discover talents, and The Voice UK is just that. It has been instrumental in discovering and nurturing talents over the years.
Success in the show is not limited to the winners. Many contestants also found substantial success after joining the show. This proves that The Voice UK is a place for these talents to kickstart and further their music careers.
With the 13th season slated for 2024, the judges, viewers, and record labels are on the hunt for new talents that will rise as stars.
