David wows Ricky Wilson on '˜The Voice'

A singing soldier from Nelson has battled through to the next round of hit television show 'The Voice'.
SINGING SOLDIER: David BarnesSINGING SOLDIER: David Barnes
SINGING SOLDIER: David Barnes

Staff Sergeant David Barnes sang his heart out to the nation on the primetime BBC1 show on Saturday – which proved enough to impress judge Ricky Wilson, lead singer of indie band Kaiser Chiefs.

David, who attended Primet High School in Colne, belted out Percy Sledge’s hit “When a man Loves a Woman”.

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The 37-year-old, a training instructor in the Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham, said: “I got through six months of auditions to get to the television stage, which is called the ‘Blind Audition’.

“I’ve always wanted to go on The Voice and to see if I could get that chair to turn around.

“When Ricky did turn round I was delighted. It was an incredible experience.”

David is now looking forward to the next stage and being tutored by Ricky Wilson.

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The experience shouldn’t phase the talented musician, who also plays the flute and piano, and has performed in the past with rock group Status Quo.

David is also preparing to sing the national anthem at an Army Navy rugby match at Twickenham in April.

He added: “I love singing and being on the show has been a great experience so far.

“I’m lucky in that my job involves music too. I just want to see how far I can get in the show.”

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The Voice, a reality TV singing competition, is now in its fifth season on BBC1.

Its current four mentors are Ricky Wilson, lead singer of Kaiser Chiefs, 80s pop sensation Boy George, American will.i.am, and solo singer Paloma Faith.

Past mentors have included Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Jessie J and Rita Ora.

The next stage of the show “The Battles” starts on Saturday night on BBC1.

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David was among the last acts to be selected for “The Battles” and became the last member of Wilson’s team.

In the very first show of the current season, 17-year-old Cody Frost from Nelson was among the first to be selected by Boy George and is now preparing for “The Battles” which will take place over the next two weekends before the public have their chance to start voting.