The Voice UK winner Jermain Jackman becomes first male to take talent show title

Jermain has won the Voice

Jermain Jackman was voted the winner of BBC's The Voice last night, landing a major record deal as his prize and becoming the first male winner of the show.

The 19-year-old won the public vote during the live final after well-received performances of Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus and Pure Imagination from the 1971 Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory film, which he performed with will.i.am.

The Labour Party youth coordinator for Hackney said on Twitter immediately after winning: “Work hard for your dream & you can achieve it. So humbled & blessed to of shared stage with all the artists this year. Thank you all.”

He beat Sally Barker, 54, Christina Marie, 20, and Jamie Johnson, 19, to win the third year of the talent show.

The teenager from London said he wanted to be “the first singing black prime minister” during the final and Labour leader Ed Miliband was quick to congratulate Jermain in a message on Twitter within minutes of the result being announced.

Mr Miliband said: “Huge congratulations to Jermain Jackman. Knew you were an incredibly special singer from the first time I heard you.”

Jermain, whose mentor was will.i.am, said after winning: “I want to thank Will for everything. He's the best coach ever and I want to thank God for the opportunity.”

The teenager also thanked his friends and family, saying: “This is not just an achievement for me, this is an achievement for every single person around the world, especially in the UK, who has had a dream, worked hard for that dream and achieved that dream.”

His mentor said after the winner was revealed: “I hope you know this victory is more than just you singing. This is direction and guidance for the rest of your life.”

During the two-hour programme, Jamie, from Gillingham, was voted out half way. The Kent teenager gave up work to try to forge a career in music and says he was inspired to try for The Voice after two students at his college appeared on it.

Sally, from Leicester, and Christina Marie, from Bristol, were runners-up despite bookmakers tipping Christina Marie to win by odds of 6-5 and Sally to come second.

The winner concluded the show with a performance of Jennifer Hudson's And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going, which he had sung earlier in the show and series.

There were celebrity performances as well with Paloma Faith singing Can't Rely On You and Aloe Blacc performing The Man.

PA