Karl Michael ‘gutted’ over exit from The Voice

A TALENTED singer with strong Shannon links has fallen at the final hurdle in The Voice UK and will not sing in the final next week.

Northampton barman Karl Michael, who spent nine years of his childhood in Shannon, admitted he was “gutted” with his exit as he didn’t know how he would fare on the night.

The Standens Barn singer, who had worked as a window cleaner and barman to support himself, while he followed his music career, sang I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly in this week’s episode of the singing talent show.

He lost out to his team mate Andrea in a public vote at the end of the show. She sang What If God Was One of Us.

He joined Ash Morgan, Cleo Higgins and Joseph Apostol who also bowed out from the competition.

Following The Voice UK live semi-finals, eight acts became just four finalists.

Each of the artists performed a solo number as well as a team performance with their coach and finally all eight got on stage together for a huge group song.

The public had the ultimate say, deciding between the two acts in each team, with the singer with the fewest votes going home.

After all eight of the semi-finalists performed together for one last number, it was time for the results.

Host Holly Willoughby announced the results for each team in turn:

Team Jessie was up first and it was Matt Henry who beat Ash Morgan to make the final four.

On Team Danny, Andrea Begley beat Karl Michael to win her spot in the final.

Danny warned the public to watch out for Karl in the charts.

Karl said, “I didn’t know how it would go. I’m gutted.”

If Karl had progressed, there was the prospect of his coach, Danny O’Donoghue – lead singer of The Script – coming to Northampton as he prepared Karl for his showdown in the final.

A spokesman for the singer confirmed he was very upset over his departure but was now working extremely hard in studio on an EP and hopes this will lead to a new album.

“He wishes the remaining four contestants the best of luck in the final. Karl now hopes people will get a chance to hear his own music,” said the spokesman.

Karl is now based in London and on his first appearance on The Voice, all four of the judges turned their chairs around for him.