Gallery: Jade’s star turn sends The Voice judges spinning around

Kylie Minogue listens to Jade Mayjean Peters as she performs during The Voice blind auditions (Image: Archant)

A nervous excitement hung in the air at Degeros bar in Ipswich’s St Nicholas Street, where the 21-year-old from Rushmere St Andrew watched her winning performance surrounded by family and friends.

Only she, her family and her best friend knew the outcome of the nationwide singing competition’s blind audition phase, which was recorded at the end of last year and sees contestants vying to impress judges Will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue and Ricky Wilson, with each coach selecting 12 singers for their team.

All four gave Jade their vote of approval by turning round as they heard her sing Sweet About Me by Gabriella Cilmi.

Kylie told Jade she loved the “sexiness, sassiness and control” in her voice.

After a few moments of deliberation, it was Kylie who Jade chose to guide her towards the second stage of competition, known as the battle rounds.

“It was surreal,” she said. “Having their backs turned made it a lot more scary but the whole experience was amazing.

“I’ve always listened to Will’s music; Kylie and Tom are legends and Ricky seems like a really nice guy. I had at least 10 minutes with each judge after the performance. I just admire them all and hope to be as good as them.

“The Voice is by far one of the best competitions I’ve taken part in. I’ve learnt so much about performing and stage presence.”

The former Northgate High School pupil was remarkably at ease in the spotlight, having been performing since the age of 12 and appearing on the pages of this newspaper on several occasions as a teenage hopeful in numerous talent contests, including The X Factor in 2008.

Since then, she has performed solo and as part of a band in pubs, clubs and larger venues, even supporting the Brand New Heavies at a recent live event.

Jade’s mum, Susanna, who was at the studio to cheer her on with little brother Reece and her best friend Lori Dunne, said: “I’m overwhelmed. She just doesn’t stop, this girl. She has nerves of steel.

Lori, who has been friends with Jade since school, added: “It was very nerve-racking. I think we were more nervous than her!”

Jade, who also records her own music and describes her style as influenced by soul and jazz, even gave a performance at Degeros after the show. “I thought it would be a nice way of thanking everyone for coming here to support me,” she said.

If Jade can go all the way she will be the second Suffolk singer to win the competition in its three series history, following in the footsteps of Lowestoft’s Leanne Mitchell, who triumphed in The Voice 2012.