The Voice Kids: 9-year-old Sheffield schoolboy melts the heart of will.i.am with blind audition performance

Nine-year-old Theo Hills impressed the judges with his sweet cover of When I Grow Up, from Matilda the Musical.

Described by his parents Lucy and Carl as being a ‘bubbly, outgoing character’, who ‘belongs’ on the stage, Theo definitely showed the audience his confidence and sparkle as he blew them away with his powerful pitch-perfect voice.

Within seconds of the performance, his parents were seen tearing up beside the stage as the audience cheered.

His blind audition was especially appreciated by ex-Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am, a judge on the show, who hit his buzzer, and gave Theo a thumbs-up as his chair swivelled around.

Describing why he turned around, will.i.am said: “One, the crowd loved you. Two, there couldn’t have been a better song than the one you picked.”

When he asked Theo what he wants to do when he grows up, the schoolboy said he would like to be a singer and a pilot who can fly himself to his own concerts. He told the audience how his mother had arranged for him to fly a lightweight plane with a pilot, and described it as an ‘amazing’ experience.

This season of The Voice Kids has three episodes, the second and third of which will air on ITV on July 9 and July 16 at 7.30pm, where we will watch Theo battle against 15 other contestants in the hopes of winning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort in Florida.