Singing student Amelia wows The Voice coaches

A singing student from Liverpool sparked a bidding war among the Voice UK's coaches as the blind auditions reached their penultimate week.

Amelia O'Connell, 16, previously wowed the crowds at a benefit concert in New York four years ago, where she became the only performer to win a standing ovation - despite sharing the bill with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler.

She received a standing ovation again on Saturday night, with her rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face bringing the coaches to their feet.

And after finding herself with the pick of Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue and Ricky Wilson, she opted for a place on Team Kylie.

"You put me in a bit of a trance," the Aussie singer told her, "Your voice is beautiful and soaring, you had us on the edge of our seats."

The teenager decided to go with Kylie in spite of being the daughter of the UK's most successful Tom Jones tribute act - with the singing legend telling her 'don't upset your father' as he made his bid for her as a team member.

However Tom didn't miss out on Saturday's show, after he gained country singer Talia Smith and soulful Bizzi Dixon - who became the first man to join his team.

Bizzi, who previously had a deal with EMI Records, was joined at the auditions by his brother, tribute act singer Shenton - but while he impressed the judges with his efforts Shenton failed to make it through in spite of winning praise from the panel.

"Some places were a little shaky but I loved it," Kylie told him, while Tom added: There was just one shaky little part there, but I understand that as nerves can do that. I would want to hear more things that you can do and once I can hear what else you can do."

Others who fared well on Saturday night's show included Welsh singer Callum Crowley - who wowed the judges with his falsetto vocals and won a place on Will.i.am's team, and teenager Jazz Bates-Chambers who joined Ricky's team.

However it wasn't such good news for Paul Raj, a former Brit school pupil who revealed that he had been a classmate of Adele.

The 24-year-old narrowly missed out on a team place after the judges failed to spin round - a decision they later regretted.

"I'm going to kick myself," Kylie admitted, while Ricky added: "I'm disappointed in everybody. The thing is it's not about giving up as there will be a right place and a right time."

The Voice UK continues next Saturday night with the final round of blind auditions.