Former Liberty X star aims for Voice success

Singer Kevin Simm will return to television screens this weekend in the next round of BBC1's The Voice.
Kevin Simm. 
Photo: Carla Ainscough 
at www.lillibelle.co.ukKevin Simm. 
Photo: Carla Ainscough 
at www.lillibelle.co.uk
Kevin Simm. Photo: Carla Ainscough at www.lillibelle.co.uk

The 35-year-old wowed the celebrity judges in his audition for the talent show, with all four turning their chairs to show they liked what they heard.

He is now being touted as one of the favourites to win the competition and on Saturday will be seen taking part in the battles round.

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Kevin, who grew up in Leyland and now lives in Whittle-le-Woods, said: “It will be interesting, that’s all I can say.

“Obviously when it comes to the battles, whether you have four chair turns or one, it all goes out the window.

“It was an interesting experience.”

Kevin is no stranger to television talent shows, having been a member of pop group Liberty X, which was formed from the runners-up on Popstars in 2001.

Liberty X topped the UK singles chart with Just A Little in 2002 and a year later the song won a Brit award for best British single.

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Since they called it a day in 2007, Kevin has done his own album, continued performing as a singer and has been working as a wedding photographer.

He decided to try out for The Voice - and has been surprised by the response since his audition was broadcast in January.

“It’s been crazy really,” he said. “I went into it with quite low expectations because I thought there was a good chance that I wouldn’t get turns and it could end up blowing up in my face.

“I thought as long as I did a good performance and people didn’t say I was terrible, it would work out and I would get more gigs and good exposure.

“I didn’t expect it to turn out like this.”

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And Kevin is trying not to focus on reports that he is favourite to win The Voice.

He said: “Since my audition I have been the favourite with the bookies. It’s quite funny looking at the odds on a bookie’s website and seeing your name.

“I don’t think it means a lot though. I think Chelsea were favourite to win the Premier League this year and look at them.

“I take it with a pinch of salt. It’s quite nice for people to think you are going to do well, but there is a long way to go.”

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Kevin, who is married and has two children, hoped he would get more work once he was seen performing on The Voice. He said he is not interested in fame, but wants to fulfil his potential as a singer.

He said: “With Liberty X we did amazingly well, but I didn’t really come out of it with people saying I could sing well. I wanted to put myself out there and like anybody in any job I wanted to better myself. It wasn’t a case of proving I could sing. I have never been thinking I want to release records - if that sort of thing happened it would be amazing, but for me now being mature it’s looking to the future and providing for my family.”

l The Voice will be shown at 7pm on Saturday on BBC1.

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