'You couldn't see me and I couldn't see you': Blind singer wins The Voice judges' hearts with "amazing" audition

'You couldn't see me and I couldn't see you': Blind singer wins The Voice judges' hearts with "amazing" audition

BBC talent show The Voice will kick off this weekend with an unforgettable audition from a blind singer who cannot see the judges reactions.

Andrea Begley, 26, from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, only has 10 percent vision and has to be helped onstage for her performance by the floor manager.

She began losing her sight at the age of five through glaucoma and can now barely see at all.

Andrea said: “I found I had a condition called glaucoma which is pressure in my eyes and it has meant that I have lost 90 percent of my vision. Glaucoma is a degenerative condition so once your sight is gone there is no means of getting it back. I had to adapt things for example playing with my friends and watching TV, ordinary things that you take for granted.

“Music really became my get out and it was a natural progression really.

“When I sing it takes me to somewhere else, I feel a sense of relaxation. I can do it without any assistance or issues and t hat is why it is so important. This is the biggest challenge I have done.”

After an emotional performance singing Angel, judge Danny O’Donoghue says her audition was “amazing”.

Andrea explained: "I came on the Voice for the very basic reason you couldn’t see me and I couldn’t see you"

 

He then quizzes her about coming on the show and entering the blind auditions where the judges cannot see the acts until they push a button to pick them to go through to the next round.

Andrea explained: “I came on the Voice for the very basic reason you couldn’t see me and I couldn’t see you.

“For once I am on a level playing field with all the other contestants.”

Andrea then had to ask the judges afterwards if their chairs turned as “she couldn’t really tell”.

Tom Jones  said “Your voice is so beautiful. I had to let you know that. We feel emotional about the way you sing.”

Andrea began losing her sight at the age of five through glaucoma and can now barely see at all

Jesse J added: “I applaud how courageous you are and you should be proud of yourself right now.”

Viewers will find out on Saturday night which judges turned their chairs for Andrea and who she picks as her coach if she gets through.

Other highlights on the first episode include Welsh singer and care worker Ashley Morgan, 26, whose dad performed with Tom Jones and Will.i.Am lookalike Matt Henry, 34.

The 95 minute show kicks off at 7pm on Saturday and will go head-to-head with Ant Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV.

It opens with a medley by the judges â€" Danny, Tom Jones, Jesse J and Will.i.am â€" which Beeb bosses hope will wow fans.

Referring to the auditions, Tom Jones: “What I listen for is originality. I like the ones that hit me with a natural sounding voice.”

Jesse J said: “I want to hear someone with potential that gives you goosebumps.”