LeAnn Rimes has left her fellow The Voice UK coaches stunned with her tactic to get a contestant to join her team.
On this weekend’s episode of the ITV reality singing competition, the Blind Auditions come to an end, with LeAnn, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones each having one spot left on their teams.
One of the hopefuls looking to secure a place is 22-year-old student James Barlow from Stockport, who also has a side hustle as a remote-control car commentator.
Although James says he loves his job, his real passion is performing as a singer.
However he only started performing on stage three years ago.
‘My big dream is to go on tours and sell out stadiums. No-one ever got anywhere by saying I can’t do something,’ he shares.
‘I’m going to make sure I do absolutely everything to make sure I do myself and my family proud.’
Taking to the stage, James performs Too Close by Alex Clare, which impresses the three coaches who still have places left on their two teams.
When it comes to pitching, LeAnn tells James that he ‘rocked it’ and she ‘loved’ it.
Meanwhile the McFly boys tell James his voice is ‘completely its own identity’ and they want him to join their team as they don’t have ‘any other’ singers like him.
‘You would make our team the complete package and we would be honoured to have you,’ Tom says.
Sensing she might be losing the battle to secure James on her team, LeAnn jumps in.
‘Actually, I have just one thing I want to add to my pitch really quick. You know, Tom and Danny sung a pitch, and I thought it was a good idea, so I wanted to take on of their songs and maybe use it against you,’ she reveals, as seen in an exclusive clip on Metro.
As the audience erupts into claps and laughter, fellow coach Will.i.am declares ‘Damn!’
Reading off her phone, LeAnn then launches into a rendition of their hit song All About You, which she’s updated with lyrics including: ‘It’s all about you. It’s not about Tom and Dan. I’m better for you, cause I’m your biggest fan.’
She continues, singing: ‘Their chairs might have turned, but you see mine’s a throne. Choose me and you’ll win, because you’re in a league of your own.’
As Tom and Danny bend over in laughter, LeAnn wraps things up and then gets a standing ovation from everyone.
However Tom proclaims: ‘It’s not fair LeAnn Rimes!’
Giving LeAnn a taste of her own medicine, the boys then sing out ‘how could we coach without you?’ to the tune of her song How Do I Live.
After both teams make it clear they’re desperate to have James join them, his final decision will be revealed on Saturday night’s episode.
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