Ruti Olajugbagbe who is just 18 years old and a Nigerian has won The Voice UK 2018.
She was crowned the winner of The Voice 2018 on Saturday night, beating runner-up Donel Mangena.
The Nigerian lady broke down in tears after host Emma Willis announced her as the winner.
Her coach, Sir Tom Jones had earlier on gushed on the show that she is ‘a wonderful, magical, sincere singer.’
Speaking after her victory Ruti said:
‘I wasn’t expecting this… I didn’t expect to get to the blind audition, I don’t know what to say!’
Runner-up Donel was equally gracious as he congratulated Ruti on her victory, saying:
‘Thank you so much. I’ve loved every second of it. To have come runner-up, it’s amazing. Working with william has been my highlight. I’m so happy, as happy as Ruti.’
It was a nail-biting final which saw the last four contestants battle it out for the £100,000 prize, as well as a deal with Republic Records.
Ruti was crowned champion after three incredible performances, with her final song – Dreams by The Cranberries – to be released as her debut single Daily Mail reported.
Earlier in the show, Ruti joined coach Tom in a stripped back duet of the Louis Armstrong classic ‘What A Wonderful World’, followed by a solo rendition of Daniel Bedingfield’s ‘If You’re Not The One’.
Earlier in the show, Ruti thanked Sir Tom for all his support, adding the Welsh singer ‘always believed in me, since the blind auditions’.
‘He’s always been there for me and told me to be myself. It’s amazing that he thinks I’m that good,’
She added.
Meanwhile, Sir Tom said Ruti was a ‘wonderful, magical, sincere’ singer, and that he is touched by her voice.
Viewers were equally thrilled at Ruti’s success, taking to Twitter to congratulate the star on her victory.
A fan wrote:
‘I’m really happy for Ruti her voice is so beautiful and unique.’
Another said:
‘Ruti is # The Voice UK 2018 winner! Words cannot describe how happy I am for her right now! She deserved that so much! Her version of Dreams gives me goosebumps, I just love her so much.’
