See Hartlepool's Rick give it his all on The Voice

Viewers will watch the 29-year-old singer-songwriter from Foggy Furze try to make it through to the live finals in the knockouts stage of the competition.

Rick, who has won legions of new fans after spending years locked away in his bedroom due to lack of confidence because of his weight, has beaten more than 100,000 other hopefuls to make it this far.

He posted on his Facebook page: “Can now officially confirm I will be on the next episode of BBC One’s ‘The Voice UK’, this Saturday from 7pm for the ‘Knockouts’.

“Down from 50,000 applicants to eight on Team Paloma, singing for a place in the live finals. Tune in!”

Rick has also been boosted by a message of support from one of his idols Glenn Hughes, a vocalist with rock group including Deep Purple and who worked with Black Sabbath guitarist Tommy Iommi.

Glenn sent Rick a message on social media saying: “Excellent Rick! You have style and grace and a distinctive voice, and you have a story.

“I’m rooting for you brother”.

Viewers last saw Rick on TV two weeks ago when he overcame the battles round that saw him going head to head with a fellow team member.

Tonight, each contestant must carefully select and perform a ‘killer song’ to stand out against their team rivals, as the coaches whittle their eight chosen singers down to just three for the live finals.

Rick is being mentored by pop singer Paloma Faith.