Gary Poole proved a hit on Saturday night's The Voice. But has the Essex resident got what it takes to win? Ahead of the team battles, Amie Mulderrig goes head-to-head with Gary.


Where are you based? What’s great about the area?
Chingford. It’s a great little place with everything you need and it’s next to Epping Forest.

What song sums up your life?
Octoroon Blues by me!!!

What was the first and last album you bought?
Innervisions by Stevie Wonder was the first one. And my last was The Donny Hathaway Anthology.

 

When/how did you discover you could sing?
When I was in my first band, as the keyboard player, and we didn’t have a singer I did it, and nobody objected. And yes, I’ve always been attracted to music and tried to emulate it.

Where was your first live performance, what was the reaction?
Thirty years ago in a local band, a pub in Camden, and it was a lukewarm reaction, in between beer bottles being thrown at me.

How did you feel when the judge(s) turned around? Did you think you were going to be picked?
Elated. When Ricky turned and then Tom, and I didn’t expect them to turn. I just did my best.

What’s your most embarrassing moment?
One of my first gigs, my mouth was so dry, my top lip stuck to my gum!

For fame I would...
Be true to myself, and try to please everybody else too.

Would you rather be on another team, if so which?
Nooo... very happy to be on Sir Tom Jones Team.

What’s in your favourite sandwich?
Smoked salmon

Which judge is the biggest diva and why?
Will.i.am, because he just says what's on his mind regardless of the format

Cadbury’s crème egg, how do you eat yours?
Straight in, bite the top off, clean and painless

How many roads must a man walk down, before you call him a man?

ask Bob Dylan

How would you describe your sound?

Soulful and smooth, but with a punch

Who/what are your influences?
Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, Rachelle Ferrelle, Me shell, Donny Hathaway, Herbie Hancock

How would you describe your look?
Ha ha, middle-aged

As you prepare to go head-to-head, what fighting words do you have for your opponent?
Keep your guard up

Which act and team is going to win The Voice?
Sally Barker, Team Tom

How would winning The Voice change your life?
Hugely, I would have a chance to make a great album, and get touring, back where I belong.