Hartlepool rocker Rick Snowdon delighted after getting through Battles round of The Voice

Rocker Rick is through to the next round of the hit show this week after winning the backing of his mentor Paloma Faith.

The 29-year-old from Foggy Furze in Hartlepool, went up against fellow competitor Bradley Waterman in the Battles round of series five of The Voice, which saw duets performed between two members of the each of the four judges teams’.

The pair sung a medley of Etta James’s 'Something’s Got a Hold on Me' and Bo Diddley’s 'I'm a Man' in a “smouldering stand-off”, with his tutor Paloma Faith picking him from the pair.

"It's crazy to get through the battle stage," Rick said.

"It was weird as me and Bradley are really shy and at the first rehearsal me and Bradley were to shy to sing in front of each other.

"I was full of nerves building up to it but I'm fine as soon as I am out on the stage, it all goes away.

"Paloma Faith said to me 'don't change for anybody. I've picked you for the way you are.'

"She has been great for advice and told me to fight my corner, stand my ground and be confident."

Singer-songwriter Rick,was picked to join Team Paloma after she said she wanted to sing alongside him following his performance of Nina Simone’s 'I Put a Spell on You' in the auditions round.

Boy George and Ricky Wilson had vied for him to join them, but it was superstar Faith who added him to her group to mentor through the BBC One prime time series.

He was one of 120,000 contestants who made a bid to feature in the talent show, which is fronted by Emma Willis and Marvin Humes.

Rick discovered his love of music as he battled his junk food addiction, spending years locked away in his bedroom as he suffered a lack of confidence because of his weight.

He has since slimmed down through a tough exercise and diet regime, shedding more than half his body weight.

"I have been locked in the house for four and a half years weighing 26 stone, so to burst out on stage is overwhelming," Rick added.

"It's everything that I ever wanted -the start of my music career.

"Ever since I was a kid I had a vision performing on stage in front of thousands of people.

"I have been doing gigs for the last seven years and now have finally been given a chance. It is amazing."

Rick said he loved the song Paloma picked for him and was glad he wasn't given a generic rock song so he could show what he was capable of.

After his performance Paloma said: It’s totally blew me away. I’m so proud of both of you."

Rick told the audience the win was “awesome” with hit competitor Bradley then joining him after Ricky Wilson took the chance to save him through the ‘steal’ section of the round, which gives the second place singer the chance of a reprieve.

Rick, who will compete in the next stage the Knockouts in two weeks, said the reaction from fans has been amazing.

"It is going to be a big challenge but I am just going to keep on rehearsing the same as last time," he said.

"There are a lot of people on Twitter and Instagram saying really nice things which I am really appreciative of but I am going to stay focused."