NINETEEN-year-old Jermaine Jackman, born to Guyanese parents, was crowned winner of The Voice UK competition, beating Sally Barker, Christina Marie and Jamie Johnson to win a recording deal with Universal Music.

When presenter Marvin Humes announced the result, Jermain, coached by ‘will.i.am’, was visibly shocked and overwhelmed. He said later: “I want to thank Will for everything he has done for me over the course of the last few months. You have been the best coach ever. I want to thank God for all the opportunities that I’ve had. I want to thank all my family and friends. This is not just an achievement for me, but an achievement for every single person around the world — especially in the UK — who has had a dream, worked hard for that dream, and achieved that dream. I want you guys to know: Work hard for that dream and you will achieve it!”

In being announced the winner of The Voice UK competition, Jermaine Jackman has ultimately become yet another Guyanese heritage youth to take a hold of that title. And while social media has gone viral with their rants for and against the decision, one thing is clear: This kid, who sang in Guyana last August at the St George’s Cathedral and blew those in attendance away, is the 2014 winner!

His father, David Forde, is actually from the village of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, and many who met with Jermaine during his sojourn in Guyana can attest to him being proud of his Guyanese heritage even though he was born in London.

Leona Lewis, also of Guyanese heritage, became an international hit maker after winning the UK Voice show, and has been identified as the daughter of a London-based Guyanese. But we have not seen her on local soil as yet.

According to Shauntel Maloney, “I heard this guy sing at the St George’s Cathedral last year…. He has a really good voice.”

Alison Barkie states on Facebook: “Heard him sing last year at an ordination of deacons at St George’s Cathedral”.

(By Alex Wayne)