NI Civil Servant Wins BBC's 'The Voice'

A 27-year-old civil servant from Co Tyrone has won the latest series of BBC talent show, The Voice.

Andrea Begley, who is partially-sighted, beat fellow Northern Irish finalist Leah McFall to claim the title and a recording contract worth up to £1m.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, Ms Begley said she was still "in shock" following Saturday's result.

She added: "I think I can stand back and say now my role in this competition and my success in this competition has been down to my singing and it has not been for any other reason.

"My vision is obviously a part of me, but it is not everything I am about. To be honest most of the time I just go on like anyone else.

"I have never really let it have a major impact on me, I have always been very determined, to the point of being stubborn.

"I just try and find the best way I can around things and I feel very much vindicated that people voted for me because they liked my singing and no other reasons."

Begley chose to sing My Immortal by Evanescence in the final, before joining mentor Danny O'Donoghue's band The Script to perform Hall Of Fame. She then performed Angel by Sarah McLachlan in the final round.

She said she was now looking forward to getting into the recording studio.

"I have got ideas and I have got songs, so I am going to get in the studio and work with people, maybe other writers and see what we can come up with, so I can get something out there pretty quickly.

"From my own personal point of view, I know that I have got ideas and a direction that I need to go as an artist, so there is a lot of potential there," she said.

McFall had been the bookmakers' favourite to win the talent series. She was mentored by Black Eyed Peas' member, Will.i.am.

(JP/CD)