A Scots choir master failed to get a ‘yes’ from the celebrity coaches when he auditioned on The Voice on Saturday night.
But Tony Henry did get a ‘yes’ from girlfriend Rebecca Smith when he dropped to one knee and proposed in front of the cheering audience. Opera singer Tony, 63, belted out a rendition of Nella Fantasia, but failed to impress Sir Tom Jones, LeAnn Rimes, wil.i.am, Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher enough during the blind audition for them to turn their chairs for him.
Instead of walking off the stage, Tony told the crowd: “Obviously I didn’t get a turn, but that’s not the end of the world. There is a yes that I hope I can share with you all. My partner has been an inspiration for me and has kept me singing at moments when I thought I would give up, so I’d like to invite Rebecca to the stage”.
As stunned Rebecca, 41, walked on, romantic Tony dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him – becoming the first person ever in the show’s history to propose. The pair hugged after an emotional Rebecca accepted.
McFly star Tom Fletcher said the gesture left him a crying “mess”. He told Tony: “You didn’t need a yes from any of us. You got the best yes of all time”.
The couple, from Kiltarlity, near Inverness, met in 2019 when Rebecca joined Tony’s Highland Voices Gospel Choir. The choir has performed at Belladrum, the Edinburgh Fringe and on TV show The Traitors.
Talented Tony began his career as a ballet dancer, followed by five years in the West End featuring in The Starlight Express while also working as a stunt man.
He thought his chances of hitting the big time were over until Rebecca encouraged him to apply for The Voice UK.
She said: “He’s lovable, funny and is always dancing and singing around the kitchen.”
The Voice viewers were also impressed by Tony, and his proposal. They took to social media describing his performance as “incredible”.
One wrote: “In tears! Absolutely brilliant and massive congratulations Tony and Rebecca! An incredible performance”. Another said: “Amazing performance. I can’t believe they didn’t turn! Congratulations on the engagement though”.
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