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Anthonia Edwards wins The Voice UK 2022 after stunning performances and duet with Sir Tom Jones-Rachael O'Connor-Entertainment – Metro
The winner has been revealed.
Anthonia Edwards has been announced as the winner of The Voice UK 2022 (Picture: ITV/Rachel Joseph/REX/Shutterstock)
Anthonia Edwards has been announced the winner of The Voice UK.
After an incredible series which saw Olly Murs, Sir Tom Jones, Anne-Marie and will.i.am mentor some of the best up-and-coming young stars, Saturday’s final saw Anthonia finally beat out the remaining competitors.
Mentored by Sir Tom Jones throughout the series, 25-year-old Anthonia faced stiff competition from talented performers Naomi Johnson, Mark Howard and David Adeogun.
However she proved herself again and again throughout the finale, starting with a jaw-dropping cover of Billie Eilish’s When The Party’s Over, which left more than a few in the audience emotional.
Anthonia, from Blakheath in London, went on to reach the final two against Olly’s star David, but became the audience’s winner with her stunning performance of Justin Bieber track Anyone.
Reacting with tears in her eyes as she was revealed as the winner, she said: ‘This has been one of the best journeys ever to be on. I’ve become the person I’ve always wanted to be.
Anthonia had tears in her eyes as she was announced the winner of the 2022 series (Picture: ITV/Rachel Joseph/REX/Shutterstock)
‘Working hard, sharing messages through song. The fact it connected with you all is just my dream. Sir Tom… the coolest guy! The coolest! Thank you, and my family.’
Speaking after her win, she said: ‘Winning The Voice was unexpected, but really welcome at this stage in my life.
‘Given that I’m a registered nurse, but I get to explore this side of myself right now, it’s really cool and I’m super grateful for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to the journey that lies ahead.’
She had previously been visibly moved when Sir Tom heaped praise on her after her first song, going as far as to declare: ‘I’ve sang with a lot of female singers myself throughout the years and honestly I’ve never heard anybody better than you.’
He added: ‘Anthonia, you have an incredible voice. You’re a natural singer, you have a natural ability, a God-given gift is what you have.’
Sir Tom Jones delivered some incredible praise to the young singer, who he said had ‘a God-given gift.’ (Picture: ITV/Rachel Joseph/Shutterstock)
The pair later dueted together for an absolutely stunning rendition of It’s A Man’s World by James Brown, which helped further cement her path to victory.
Twitter users were absolutely blown away by the pair’s duet, with many taking to the social media site to heap praise on both Anthonia and the music icon, who has absolutely ‘still got it’.
‘Sir Tom Jones 82 yrs old. What a voice man! Amazing,’ one awed person wrote.
Fans were blown away by Anthonia and Sir Tom’s duet (Picture: ITV/Rachel Joseph/Shutterstock)
‘Watching Tom Jones do what he does best is a thing of beauty & that is simple reason he is still in music industry 50 yrs on,’ another agreed, while one said it was a ‘privilege’ to watch the duet.
‘Honestly that was sensational duet Sir Tom Jones & Anthonia Edwards,’ one viewer praised the pair.
And, as another put it, ‘That is why Sir Tom Jones has been selling records and shows for 50 years. Legend and real talent.’
Anthonia, who was training as a nurse when she joined the 2022 series among the thousands of other hopefuls, was announced as the winner at the end of the emotional finale.
Her success means the Praying singer has clinched a record deal with Universal’s UMOD, as well as the chance to release their debut single, which in Anthonia’s case is new hit Anyone.
She said: ‘It’s been really fun covering this Justin Bieber song, and it’s great that I get to do it in this way.
‘I loved working on the arrangements and making it feel like it’s my version of the song. I wanted to create something that’s based on Justin, but it’s my own version as well, and I’m just excited for what’s ahead music wise.’
Anthonia’s debut single, Anyone, was released after the finale (Picture: PA)
Sir Tom meanwhile paid tribute to his winner, saying he was ‘not surprised’ as her voice and talent rose above a very competitive field and speaks for itself.’
‘When I first heard her at the blinds, I knew she had something really special; having the opportunity to work with her this series has been nothing but joy from beginning to end,’ he said.
‘She deserves much respect for both her abilities and work ethic, so I’m excited for her future. If she ever needs advice or even a chat, I’m here to help, if I can.’
The new star has clinched a record deal through her win (Picture: PA)
Reflecting before the finale, Anthonia said: ‘The semi-final was a day that I will never forget.’
Paying tribute to her mum and sister, Anthonia said they ‘always believed’ in her, ‘even when I didn’t believe in myself.’
‘I want to go out there and make them absolutely proud.’
More: Trending
Last year’s winner, Scottish musician Craig Eddie, with his single Come Waste My Time shooting up the iTunes chart after his victoria in March 2021.
Anthonia Edwards released her debut single Anyone via EMI following tonight’s final.
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