Falkirk musician Craig Eddie set for heartfelt song in The Voice semi-finals this weekend
The former St Mungo's High School pupil has dazzled audiences with his singing both at home and globally throughout his time on the hit ITV show.
However, the 23-year old from New Carron, revealed that he will perform a song he “most fully” relates to this week during the semi-finals and we can expect to hear his own original take of it.
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Hide AdCraig said: "It’s a song on the show which I most fully relate to and that’s why I can put my full emotion into it and let it take over and hopefully it works out.
“You can expect me to put my own twist on the song and try and make it my own.
"This time, I’m trying to sing purely through emotion and not singing technicality.”
The talented, young musician has wowed both viewers and A-star judges during his time on the show, with his performances of both Make It Rain during his blind audition, and This City in the battle round of the competition against James Robb which he won last week.
Craig said he has been blown away by the response.
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Hide AdHe said: “I don’t think I’ve been happier in my entire life and that really is down to the support I’ve been getting from the people from Falkirk and everywhere. I can’t express my appreciation enough.”
"It's actually a lot more than I expected - I thought that I would maybe get 500 followers on Instagram and other social media, but it’s just been flooded.
"I’ve had over 2,000 messages and comments and it’s just crazy.”
"It’s all spiralled out of my mum’s friend group at home, and then they tell their friends and my dad as well - I think my mum and dad were at the core of it!”
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Hide AdOpen about his mental health on the show, Craig said he hopes he’s spreading a message that there is nothing to be ashamed about and says his famous coach, Anne Marie, has inspired him to continue this message.
“I feel as if I incorporate the subject of mental health into casual conversation it almost takes the sting out of it and makes it normal to talk about.”
"Anne-Marie is amazing. We have spoken off camera about our mental health and what goes on inside our head, and came to the conclusion that we are actually very scarily similar. That’s the coolest part for me to see - it’s so cool to see Anne-Marie so open about her mental health. That’s inspired me to be open and talk about mine.”
Guest-mentor, Leigh-Anne from Little Mix, has also been supportive, Craig commented.
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Hide Ad"Leigh-Anne has been really supportive and she says goes with what comes naturally.”
"It’s quite mad because I was just standing there and both Anne Marie and Leigh Anne were giving me compliments. I feel as if I’m still incoherent from it all.”
Craig has also seen support globally, with a singing contestant from the voice in France reaching out.
"It’s mad just how far it’s gone and the magnitude it’s reached.” said Craig, “I’m still in that dream state where I know it happened, but it doesn’t feel like it just happened."
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Hide AdContestants such as fellow Falkirk boy Cameron Ledwidge who was eliminated last week but has released a new single have also shown their support through a WhatsApp group chat.
Before his time on the show, Craig would sing in Falkirk pubs and bars such as the Tolbooth Tavern.
Craig said: "I always went in there every Saturday for karaoke at The Tolbooth, and I would always get free drinks from there.
"It’s really small but a lot of people in it so a really amazing atmosphere there.”
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Hide Ad"I got a better reception through doing karaoke than doing proper gigs.
"With karaoke, nobody expected the singer to be good so when they are, they turn round and say ‘Oh, do yo want a drink?’”
Working for a short time in a call centre, an Asda warehouse and in Greggs’ around Falkirk, Craig traded in his hair net and phone for a guitar as he pursued his musical dream.
"When I was working in Greggs I was actually still at school so all my mates would see me with the hair net so I thought I need to leave.”
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Hide Ad"I just wanted to drop everything and give music all my attention.”
Craig is currently working from home where he has created his own home studio.
"I’ve just taken it upon myself to learn how to produce and learn how to master and learn how to construct a song from nothing.
"The tough thing about rehearsing in my room is that I can’t really let it go or sing too loud or the police will probably be at the door!
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Hide Ad"But when I go to the studio in Manchester then I just let it out and I can truly tell whether a performance is going to go well or not.”
Asked about whether he can see himself winning the show, Craig said: “ “What I will say is that I am determined to put in the work to give myself the best chance possible to win it.”
As for surprises on Sautrday’s show, Craig added: “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Viewers can tune in to the The Voice UK at 8:30pm on ITV.