Voice star’s secret double heartache Magic Mo lost close pal... and was friends with Viola Beach
He was the stand-out star of last night’s The Voice UK - with Sir Tom Jones, Will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale all pleading to have him in their team.
But despite his pitch-perfect voice, little-known Mo Adeniran has overcome all the odds to appear on the sparkly new ITV talent show.
I can reveal the 21-year-old singer – who was fostered from a young age by a loving family from Warrington – has also battled the tragic death of a close friend.
Pal Mike Carter suffered a drug overdose at his home in 2015, aged just 19, after becoming addicted to painkillers for a back problem.
And Mike’s grandad tells Talk TV that Mo was one of hi s biggest inspirations. Ronald said: “Mo really encouraged him to go for it with the music and he tried to help Mike with his addiction to painkillers, as all his friends did.
“They were mates for about six years and used to play locally in pubs.
“They played at the O2 together, they went to Leeds festival the summer before last, they were always up to something.
“Mike would have loved to have seen Mo on The Voice, he would have supported him 100 per cent.
“He’d be glad of Mo’s success – it couldn’t have happened to a nicer lad.” In another tragic twist, Mo was also set to be joined at a tribute gig for Mike by famous pals Viola Beach – the group who died in a crash in Sweden.
The foursome, also from Warrington, had agreed to play at the For One Mike Only gig in May last year. Ronald said: “There’s been a lot of tragedies. Viola Beach was meant to play at Mike’s tribute but they never made it. “We wish Mo all the best. It’s been a hard time for that group of lads.”
Mo pi c k e d Jennifer Hudson to coach hi m yest erday and bowled over Gavin so much he gushed: “You’re the reason I agreed to do this show.”
Definitely one to watch... Sherlock writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have written a special episode for Twitter. They will tweet as Sherlock to reveal a new mystery and fans can interact as they solve the case. Follow #Sherlocklive or bbc.co.uk/sherlock from 8pm on Tuesday.
TV drama I love is… My favourite TV series is … New The Voice coach Jennifer Hudson says she had a rough time when she weighed more. Jennifer, who has dropped five dress sizes, said: “It’s shocking, walking into a world that’s nothing but image. I heard people say, ‘You need to lose two stone.’ Now I’m treated completely differently.”