EXCLUSIVE: The Voice UK's Kevin Simm on 'weird' Battle Rounds ahead of powerhouse sing-off
HE BECAME a favourite to win The Voice UK with his first audition, and now former Liberty X star Kevin Simm has spoken of his "weird" experience of filming his upcoming Battle Rounds performance.
Kevin Simm will be on The Voice UK this week
After securing a place on Paloma Faith's team during the Blind Auditions, Kevin will now go head-to-head with another competitor in a bid to progress to the Knockouts.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, he said: "It was quite odd. We obviously both wanted to progress but I think that we both liked each-other a lot so there wasn't that sort of awkwardness.
"It was just a bit weird, I guess. Definitely strange."
He went on to say that he struggled massively with nerves this time around, despite his prior experience of being in a pop group.
Sia's Chandelier was his song of choice
He was formerly a member of Liberty X
I have had a lot of experience compared to the other guys but stepping out and doing this, I felt like it was added pressure
"It was pretty hard to handle [them]," he said. "I'm not naturally nervous. I have had a lot of experience compared to the other guys but stepping out and doing this, I felt like it was added pressure.
"It was slightly weird because you come into it on your own and then you're with somebody. I got on really well with my battle partner, I want her to do well and I want me to do well. It was a bit strange being in a band and then going on my own, and then having to go back with somebody else!"
The 35-year-old also admitted that he has become more ambitious with his long-term plans after his audition performance of Sia's Chandelier got upwards of 2 million views and gave the current series its biggest talking point so far.
"From me being a bit part in Liberty X to a point where I can do gigs and people still don't announce my name properly… I thought I could do something that puts me in a bit better standing.
Kevin Simm performs 'Chandelier' - The Voice UK 2016- Blind Auditions 4
Kevin's profile has been massively boosted
"People would rather book tribute acts rather than someone like myself - don't get me wrong, there are some great tribute acts but I needed to bump my profile a little bit."
He continued: "Seeing the reaction [to the audition], my aims have got slightly higher: I'd love to do some new music and stuff. With this response and support, it's made me feel like maybe I could do that.
"Maybe I can't, maybe I won't but it's definitely given me a bit of belief in myself."
The Voice UK continues on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.