Sunderland singer remains determined after losing in the Battles stage of The Voice

Tonight’s episode saw the 25-year-old from Ashbrooke belt out One by U2 in the battles round of the BBC show after being hand-picked by Boy George in the Blind Audition stage.

But she lost her place in the singing contest to fellow Team George member Vangelis.

“I’ve had an absolutely amazing time, but I knew it was over as soon as I was paired with Vangelis,” she said. “I’d seen his Blind Audition and knew how good he was, but I still feel like on the night I gave it my all.

“It’s been amazing working with Boy George and he gave me some great feedback. On the night of The Battles he said I’d performed well and that I should be proud of myself as I’d done everything he asked of me.

“He said he loved my energy, but he went with his heart. You have to accept the coaches’ decision, they know what they are looking for.”

Melissa had been trying to get on the show for the past five years, so she says making it past the initial Blind Audition stage, in which she performed for will.i.am, Paloma Faith and Ricky Wilson, as well as Boy George, was a bonus.

“It was just a dream to be part of the show,” she said. “Working with all the crew was great, they are lovely.”

Melissa, who battled cancer as a teenager, juggles working for a PPI company with performing in musical theatre and singing in concerts for the Teenage Cancer Trust and she says she has no intention of hanging up her microphone.

The former Thornhill School pupil said: “This has been a huge platform for me, performing to a TV audience of millions. Eventually, I hope to sing for a living, and this can only help.

“Appearing on the show has been a great experience and I’d like to thank everyone in Sunderland for their support. It sounds cheesy, but I’m so proud to be from here, everyone’s been so lovely about me being on the show.”