'The Voice': Ex-Musical Star Teresa Vasiliou Serenades Tom Jones

'The Voice': Ex-Musical Star Serenades Tom Jones
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BBC

A one-time musical star took to the stage for the first in 30 years to serenade her hero Sir Tom Jones with a song she penned about him on tonight's episode of The Voice.

Teresa Vasiliou, 61, was once tipped as the next Judy Garland by four-time Oscar winner Katharine Hepburn and toured the America as singer before a throat tumour cut her career tragically short.

The London-based singer had been hoping to kick start her career again on the BBC talent show - but left disappointed when none of the four judges picked her for their team after she sang Cher's hit I Found Someone.

But she was not downbeat for long as she got the chance to sing her own song - If You Are Going To Touch Me - written for her music idol and the Voice judge Sir Tom.

After singing the number acapella Vasiliou said: "Performing that song for Tom today made it worth it. It made it totally worth it."

And it looked like the feeling was mutual as the Welsh crooner clapped enthusiastically and grinned during the performance.

It was a disappointing night overall for contestants who were hoping for a second chance at pop fame on the show.

Fellow auditionee Angie Brown has already enjoyed chart success after she sang lead vocals on Bizarre Inc's 1992 hit I'm Gonna Get You.

But despite getting the audience on their feet by belting out her dance floor anthem, none of the judges turned around to pick her.

American singer and producer Will.i.am revealed that the song inspired part of the Black Eyed Peas global hit Boom Boom Pow.

Will told her: "I didn't turn around because (of) the stage we are at in the competition, I could be wrong. You could be the one that got away."

But Brown remained cheerful, telling the judges: "I just wanted to come here and see what the reaction was going to be. You didn't turn around but I'm going to hold my head up high."

It was a busy night for judges Will.i.am, Kylie Minogue, Ricky Wilson and Sir Tom who selected the last of the contestants to join their teams of 12.

Next week the pop hopefuls will battle it out in the first of the knock-out rounds, where the teams will be whittled down from 12 to six, and the judges will have a chance to poach their rivals' talent.