The Voice star Craig storms into final 12
Singer Craig Ward is through to the final 12 of TV talent show The Voice.
Former St John’s Primary and Queen Margaret Academy pupil Craig was voted into the quarter- finals of the show by viewers, who were impressed by his version of Greg Holden song Hold on Tight.
Craig, 31, who is mentored by Sir Tom Jones, now has a weekend off, before he sings again to the nation on STV.
The show’s other mentors - will. i. am, Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale - were full of praise for Craig, with Jennifer telling him he: “made it work”.
Will said: “Craig, you just put the fire on the ceiling,” adding his performance “reminded me of how important friends and family are.”
Gavin added: “You just owned it... it was fantastic.”
Craig told the judges: “The only way I can do well is if I put every ounce of my heart into it.”
The Ayr man was supported by his proud wife Alli, who was in the audience on Sunday night.
Craig, who will next perform in the quarterfinals on March 18, said: “I’ve never felt anything like it before, certainly not on stage.
“I feel like that performance was a turning point in my relationship with Tom.
“He said afterwards that he already knew I was a great singer but that performance was incredible and blew him away.
“It’s not every day you hear that from a musical legend and you take value in every word that Tom has to say.”
Craig, the proud dad of 14- month- old Isaac, continued: “Alli was very near the front of the audience and I could see her cheering me on.
“When I was standing backstage beforehand, I watched the video that featured Alli and Isaac and got quite emotional, thinking ‘ this is for them’.
“After hearing I had got through, I met up with Alli in the VIP area and it was overwhelming seeing her and hearing how proud she was of my performance.”
Craig will have a longer time to prepare himself for the quarter- finals weekend, with will. i. am and Gavin’s singers performing this weekend.
He explained: “There are still two teams going through knockouts this weekend, so I will get a week longer than them to rehearse and prepare for the quarter finals, which will be invaluable.
“I will also be able to spend some time with the family and relax with them, as well as doing some rehearsals through the night.
“This gives me the opportunity to bring things up a gear and hopefully give an even better performance next time around.
“All of the rounds going forward have ‘ final’ in their names so it just makes it all sink in that I’m getting ever closer to the show’s climax.”
Craig’s mum Ellen is headteacher at St Ninian’s in Prestwick, while sister Louise heads up his old school, St John’s.