A MUM-OF-TWO from Croydon has made it through to the next stage of BBC talent show The Voice – despite being unhappy with her audition.
Cherelle Basquine performed Cheryl Cole's hit Call My Name on Saturday night's episode after producers at the show advised her to sing a pop song.
However, the West Croydon care worker told the Advertiser that she wishes she had stuck to her own style for the "blind auditions".
She said: "I usually sing soul and R'n'B songs, stuff you can really belt out like Beyoncé. But they said to me I should sing a pop song and I said 'okay, I'll try something new.'
"Looking back, I wish I'd stuck with the ballads."
Jessie J criticised Cherelle's song choice and diction, but legendary singer Tom Jones was suitably impressed with the 25-year-old and added her to his group of singers.
Cherelle, who lives in Wingate Crescent, South Croydon, with her two children, said: "I have been in the studio since I was 14 but I've never really gigged, so I thought it was time to get myself out there.
"My family have wanted me to audition for this kind of thing for ages but with raising two kids and getting my career on track it just wasn't possible. But when I watched The Voice last year I really liked the set-up and decided to give it a go.
"I was so nervous in the audition and then it was strange watching myself on TV as well, I hadn't seen what the audition looked like so it was nerve-wracking. My kids enjoyed watching themselves on TV more than they did me!
"I only told my close family that I was on there so it surprised a lot of people. It was hard keeping it a secret for so long.
"Now I'm just looking forward to the future, seeing where The Voice takes me and hopefully get my music out into the world."
In the blind auditions for the Saturday night show, the four judges – Jones, Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am, former Brit School student Jessie J and The Script singer Danny O' Donaghue – have their backs to the singers.
The idea is the performer is judged solely on the quality of their voice and, if they impress, the judges turn round to face the singer.
Jones said: "The thing that I was listening to was the tone of your voice, and the passion that you put into it. I'm looking forward to working with you."
Cherelle is one of 48 singers – 12 affiliated to each judge – who will go through to the next stage of the singing contest, which is in its second series.
The winner is guaranteed a record deal with the Universal label.
Cherelle isn't the first Croydon crooner to shine on The Voice's stage.
Last year Cassius Henry, from South Norwood, made it through to the final stages of the show – almost a decade after he'd previously enjoyed chart success.
Here's a clip of Cherelle's audition, courtesy of the BBC.