Monday 10th March 2014 – 10.30am – Suzie Fothergill.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service controller recently made his first musical television debut on BBC One’s ‘The Voice.’
Twenty-six year old Tom Barnwell from Leamington Spa took to the stage on Saturday 22nd February when he performed at the show’s blind audition to the four celebrity judges.
Tom, who works as an ambulance controller in the emergency operations centre in Tollgate, Staffordshire performed a version of Estelle’s 2008 hit American Boy. He wowed the judges and saw all four of them hitting their buttons and even jumping to their feet to dance along.
The tough decision then came when Tom had to decide which team to join. Tom opted to go with mentor Will.i.am, after the star put forward a great pitch, explaining how he had co-written the track for the original song!
Tom said: “It was all so surreal, I was over the moon when all four judges turned round; it was amazing!”
Just one week later and Tom was thrown into the show’s ‘Battle’ round. Tom had to compete against fellow team mate, Callam Crowley, singing Michael Jackson’s P.Y.T. The duo performed an amazing sing off, leaving team mentor, Will, with an extremely tough decision. Unfortunately for Tom, he didn’t make it through the round with Will commenting that he was worried that Tom was a little too shy; a comment which amused a number of Tom’s friends and colleagues.
Talking about his time on the show Tom said: “Approximately 47,000 people applied for the show and I’m so pleased to be able to say I got down to the last 48! I’m now working on furthering myself as an artist and enjoying every minute.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone for all their support throughout and after the show. It means a lot.”
This wasn’t the first time Tom has been in the limelight because of his musical talents, back in November 2011, the EOC singing sensation was voted in to Mercia FM’s boy band ‘Last Chance’ by members of the public. Although, the formation of the band was only meant for a short period of time they carried out a school tour and released a Charity Christmas Single in December 2011.
Tom who has always had a passion for singing has also won numerous local competitions and his experience on ‘The Voice’ has only spurred his ambitions on even more.
You can continue to follow Tom via twitter @TomBarnwell, facebook or visit his website http://www.TomBarnwell.com
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Pictured: Tom Barnwell – courtesy of the BBC.