CUMBRIA'S latest singing talent has said he was left stunned after he made it through to the semi finals of BBC's The Voice.

Jolan Gidney-Craigen won over the public to be voted through to the second live show - but told the News & Star the reality is still sinking in.

The 22-year-old thanked everyone who voted for him, and admitted: "I was ready for going home. I didn't expect to get through at all. 

"It's bizarre. It's the most bizarre feeling."

In his first live TV appearance during Saturday night's quarter-finals, Jolan was praised by the judges for his performance of Yes  by McAlmont and Butler, a hit from the 1990s. 

His mentor, Kaiser Chief's frontman, Ricky Wilson, even gave him a standing ovation. 

Jolan said: "I loved it. Honestly it was probably the least nervous I have been through the whole show.

"It was nerve-wracking listening to the results."

All four of the judges, Will.i.am, Boy George, Paloma Faith and Ricky, were able to give one of the singers in their team a fast pass to the semi final. 

Ricky decided to give his to Kevin Simm, the other singer on his team but Jolan said there were no hard feelings. 

"The weird thing is I was happier going down to the public vote," he explained, "because I think that knowing now that I have got through with the public vote - and I didn't need a fast pass - is a bit more rewarding, because you know that people like you.

"It's difficult but [the judges] have all got to make a decision and it was the right one I thought."

Ricky was very supportive of Jolan on the night - asking his followers on Twitter to pick up the phone and vote for him. 

After Jolan's performance Ricky said: "Well done man. It was incredible, I loved it. It was the liveliest thing I have seen so far." 

The other judges Will.i.am and Paloma Faith were similarly supportive but Boy George criticised the song choice.

Jolan, who first auditioned for the show unsuccessfully two years ago, said the song choice was a risk but thankfully one that paid off. 

He said the support he has received online is unbelievable. He is trying to reply to as many people as possible who try to contact him and hopes they will continue to support him through the show.