ITV The Voice Kids is back for 2023 with judges will.i.am, Pixie Lott, Danny Jones and Ronan Keating returning to the famous red chairs in the hopes of finding Britain's best young singing talent. As the series made its comeback, with presenter Emma Willis at the helm, the singers hoping to showcase their champion vocals were introduced.
Up first was a face many might recognise from the iconic BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey. That's because Oscar from Caerphilly played Neil the Baby in both the original series and then again in the 2019 Christmas special.
Introducing himself in a VT aptly shot at Barry, the teenager said: "I'm Oscar, I'm 14 and I'm from Caerphilly. I'm in a band that's called Redwood City and I do the rhythm guitar and the vocals."
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He continued: "A lot of people don't recognise me now but I was in a huge TV show. I was Neil the Baby in Gavin & Stacey season three and I was Neil the Baby again in the Christmas special 2019. Being in Gavin & Stacey it was crazy, working with huge names like James Corden, Rob Brydon, and Ruth Jones. It's nice to go back to Barry with the band and properly show them what I did."
On what he wants for his future, Oscar explained: "People know me from being Neil the Baby in Gavin & Stacey which I absolutely love but now I want to be known for my music and singing. I'm auditioning for The Voice Kids because my dream is to become a rockstar."
And before Oscar took to the stage, his mum revealed she had a surprise for him. Ruth Jones, who played Nessa in the sitcom, appeared via video call to wish her co-star good luck and throw her support behind him.
In true Nessa style, Ruth said: "Oh, Neil the Baby, what's occurring? We knows what's occurring you're on The Voice Kids, don't forgets you takes after your mother when it comes to music, go out there and you smash it kid. Cracking."
"That's wicked," Oscar said beaming. "That's psyched me up now, I'm ready to hit that stage."
And it seemed like the message did the trick as Oscar belted out an incredible rendition of My Hero by the Foo Fighters, with an impressed Danny, Ronan, and Pixie all turning for him after his "amazing" performance.
Pitching to the 14-year-old, Pixie said: "Oscar, I know you might be more suited to work with Danny or band peeps but I had to turn because I loved the energy and the tone was so mature and the raspyness I really liked. So that's why I wanted to turn."
Ronan then told Oscar he understood the genre and said, "I think you've got something very special."
However, it was Danny's pitch that eventually won Oscar over as he said: "Oscar, you're in a band, I'm in a band, there's four of you, there's four of us. If you want a coach that totally understands, team Danny is the one because I believe in it and I believe in you."
Reacting to Oscar's appearance, one viewer wrote: "When #neilthebaby from #GavinandStacey appears on #Thevoicekids and bloodys smashes it." While another added: "Omg it's Neil the Baby! #TheVoiceKids."
And a third commented: "Oh what's occurring? I won’t lie to you Neil the baby was tidy," as a fourth said: "Lovely message of support from Ruth Jones."
The Voice Kids continues on ITV1 and ITVX on Saturday, July 8 at 7.30pm. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
