‘The Voice’ star Rachael picks Kylie

The Limavady Grammar student, from Drumsurn, was given the choice of Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue and Kaizer Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson to select as her coach in hit BBC programme ‘The Voice’.

She sang Emile Sande’s ‘Clown’ to a raucous reception from the audience, prompting all but one of the superstar Voice judges to ‘turn round’.

Rachel not only stormed through to the next round, but was able to choose her first option as coach - Kylie Minogue. Speaking to the Sentinel, the pretty teenager said: “I remember starting on the stage and firstly, I sort of forgot I had to make the coaches turn round.

“I remember singing the last two lines of the song - in the last line I seen Kylie Minogue dancing round with a big grin and then Tom Jones and Ricky.

“When I started Kylie was on my mind. I remember when my Auntie texted me to tell me Kylie Minogue was going to be a coach I thought that she is the type of artist I would like to be. She started when she was 16 as well and I think I could learn from her. I thought about Will.i.am because of the success last year he had with Leah but it was Kylie for me.”

The Australian popstar cut an obviously delighted figure during Rachael’s performance on Saturday, telling the Drumsurn girl: “You are what I was just dreaming to hear and then to see - you were so moving, touching, the purity in your voice.” Tom Jones added: “I loved it, I think you sound original, as young as you are I think you’ve found yourself.” Ricky Wilson, who also wanted the 16-year-old on his team, said: “It was great, your confidence poured over the back of my chair like a tidal wave.”

Asked what it was like to grow up seeing people like Kylie Minogue on TV to getting the chance to meet her and work closely with her, Rachael said: “It is class getting to say I’m friends with Kylie Minogue.”