'I'm so proud of her!' - South Yorkshire lass Ruth Lockwood and her incredible journey on The Voice

Ruth Lockwood. Picture: Dean Atkins/The Star

The passionate singer from Claremont Street in Kimberworth, Rotherham, initially wowed the judges with her opera-style take on Britney Spear's smash hit - Toxic.

Former Reef front man turned TV judge, Gavin Rossdale turned his chair around for Ruth within ten seconds of performing.

Ruth went up against 16-year-old Sarah Morgan for a place in the live shows. Picture: ITV

But sadly, the South Yorkshire songstress narrowly missed out in the battle stage when she went up against 16-year-old Sarah Morgan singing Lana Del Ray's - Young and Beautiful.

Her dad, Geoff, 63, said: "I'm so proud of her, she's done so well to get to the battle stages.

"When she performed Toxic in front of the judges and Gavin turned his chair around for her we were all going crackers back stage! I couldn't wait to give her a big hug!

"She's been singing mad ever since she was five-year-old. This is what she wants to do and she's making such a good job of it. This won't be the last you see of her!

"The crew and everyone at ITV has been amazing. They really look after you it's a great show.