Sheffield singer sails through first audition on The Voice as star judge picks her to join team

Musician Chanel Yates, 21, from Broomhill, sang a cover of Harry Styles’ hit song ‘Adore You’ on the talent competition yesterday (January 16) which caught the attention of new judge Anne-Marie.

The third episode of the 2021 series of The Voice aired last night at 8.30pm on ITV One, which showed the moment the ‘2002’ singer pressed her buzzer and turned around for Chanel less than 10 seconds into her audition – a sign she was through to the next round.

While Anne-Marie was the only judge to turn around for the 21-year-old from Sheffield, fellow mentor Sir Tom Jones admitted he would have hit his buzzer for the singer if no other judge had, telling Chanel “you deserve to be here”.

The 21-year-old told judge Will.i.am she only decided to apply for the competition while she was ‘in the bath one night’.

Anne-Marie explained why she chose to turn around for Chanel during her audition, telling her fellow mentors “as soon as you hear her voice on a song you know it’s her”.

Olly Murs agreed with the newest judge’s decision adding that the 21-year-old had Anne-Marie’s ‘vibe’.

Prior to the singer-songwriter’s performance, Chanel’s dad Kevin told researchers that auditioning for The Voice was a ‘dream come true’ for his daughter.

"Chanel is a tenacious, loving person and such a hard worker so this is a real dream come true for her”, he said.

The 21-year-old singer-songwriter and media student admitted she felt nervous before facing the judges, as she reminisced about being a shy child before she found her love of music.

"I didn’t know how to talk to anyone, I was a little scientist, I used to just make potions in my room”, Chanel added.

"I knew the periodic table of by heart.

"My dad bought me a red saxophone and that is when I really started on singing.

"This is the biggest moment of my life, this is what I have been working for since I was 13 with that red saxophone, I hope I have what it takes.”

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