Kevin Simm has said he is 'realistic' about life after The Voice, for which he is a bookmakers’ favourite, because he initially auditioned just to provide for his family.
The former Liberty X pop star was voted into Saturday’s live final by viewers of the BBC one talent series following an 'amazing' rendition of Adele’s Rolling In The Deep.
“From the very beginning, I just wanted to be able to provide for my family and by having exposure on The Voice’s blind auditions, it would have put my gig fees up a little,” he told the Press Association.
Kevin Simm is favourite to win The Voice (Guy Levy/Wall To Wall/BBC)
“Now that I’m in the final, I’m looking forward. I would like to do my own music, but I don’t have any misconceptions about what this could do for me. I’m still realistic about it all. Regardless of what happens in the final, this has been such a positive experience.”
Chorley-born Kevin is the 11/10 favourite to win with bookmaker Coral, having replaced teenager Cody Frost.
However, he is not fazed by the added pressure. “It’s flattering, obviously, but I don’t really know what the bookies go off when it comes to that sort of stuff,” he said.
Kevin Simm sings on The Voice (Guy Levy/Wall To Wall/BBC)
“I just sort of ignore it all because it’s down to how you perform on the night and whether the public like you and vote for you.”
Liberty X’s Just A Little won a Brit award for best British single in 2003. The five-piece enjoyed several more hits before calling it a day in 2007.
Kevin, 35, released an album in 2008, but wasn't a commercial success as a soloist. The singer explained that he rejected ITV’s The X Factor as a comeback route because the format of the BBC show gave him 'a fairer chance'.
Jolan, Craig David, Ricky Wilson and Kevin Simm on The Voice (Wall To Wall/BBC)
“I never considered The X Factor because although it has its positives, I knew that if I went for The Voice I would be judged on my voice in the blind auditions,” he said.
“I felt I had a bit more of a fairer chance if people didn’t know who I was and where I’d come from and what I’d done before.”
He added: “It could’ve worked for me or against me because I know ‘ex-pop star’ is a good story. But at the same time, it could have a negative effect in which you turn up for the first audition and it’s like, ‘You’ve done it all before so we’re not going to put you through’.”
Kevin Simm on The Voice (Guy Levy/Wall To Wall/BBC)
He continued: “There are massive rewards going on The X Factor if you get far, but I felt this show was far more suited to me.”
Kevin will battle for The Voice crown on Saturday against fellow Lancastrian Cody, Cumbrian soloist Jolan and Essex’s Lydia Lucy, a former X Factor contestant.
As the only finalist over 30, Kevin is taking inspiration from 40-year-old Australian pop singer Sia. It was her song Chandelier that put him on the road to where he is now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtTTRac7X7A&feature=oembed
Kevin’s rendition of her smash hit in the blind auditions stage wowed coaches will.i.am, Boy George, Paloma Faith and mentor Ricky Wilson.
“I would love to duet with Sia,” he said. “She puts so much commitment and passion into her vocals.” Kevin added: “She’s a little bit older than a lot of people around her as well and she’s worked really hard to get where she is.
“Sia’s an inspiration to me – she shows that talent can shine through no matter how old you are.”
The Voice is broadcast on April 9 at 7pm on BBC One.
