Express Online spoke exclusively to McFly stars Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones ahead of their debut as judges on The Voice.
The pair believe the hopefuls they’re working with already have what it takes to become stars – but are being held back by their nerves and tendencies to self-sabotage.
That’s where Tom believes he can change their lives, as he has memories of fear and rejection himself – and crucially, what he had to do to transform his negative emotions into a success story.
Admitting that he felt “pure terror” on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2021, he also added: “When I was a kid at theatre school, I grew up doing auditions all the time. I auditioned for so many bands and management companies and had lots and lots of rejections – so that element gives me a lot of empathy for people in that situation.”
Fortunately for him, when one door closed, another one opened. “My whole McFly existence is because I didn’t get into Busted – they said no, so my real defining moment in my life was that rejection,” he candidly revealed. “I know exactly how it feels to be stood hoping someone says yes in that audition climate.”
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He recognises those same fears in The Voice contestants before he’s so much as swivelled his chair around to see them – and admits it can prey on his mind after choosing not to press the buzzer for someone who could have had potential.
For example, one contestant sang Beyonce’s ‘Ave Maria’ and while everyone could hear that she had talent, the rendition just didn’t quite hit the spot in the judges’ souls – so they urged her to return next year to try again.
“I think it only hit me sitting in that chair – feeling responsible for that person’s potential career,” Tom explained.
“You definitely feel the emotions that they’re going through – you hear the breath on their mic before they sing and their nervous steps walking down and you can’t help but feel all of their emotions.”
Explaining how he and Danny, with whom he shares a buzzer, mentor contestants to manage their nerves and avoid self-sabotaging, he mused: “Most of the people who come on to the show are amazing singers already, so talented, and actually the coaching bit – the most – was with their confidence.
“They’ve already got everything it takes – they’re just blocking themselves from reaching their full potential. We have a lot of experience and can relate to that ourselves.”
As celebs who’ve been in “working bands” themselves for years, the boys feel they’re better placed than music industry judges who haven’t been in their shoes to offer that support.
“I suppose contestants have not had that moment where someone’s gone: ‘You need to believe in yourself’ – they may have had struggles and that’s probably why they’re on The Voice – for someone to realise their potential,” Danny chimed in.
“It takes someone like us to make them realise their potential and then give them a springboard to go on and do amazing things – because when you start believing in yourself, that’s when you can do anything.”
Catch Danny and Tom with their co-stars Tom Jones, LeAnn Rimes and Will.i.am on The Voice every Saturday on ITV.