The Voice UK winner reveals plan to ‘make history’ as first chart-topping success story

The Voice UK winner Ava has said she is striving to ‘make history’ by chasing chart-topping success.

Last month the 20-year-old dog groomer from Bristol was announced as the winner of the ITV reality singing competition.

After turning the chairs of all four judges during her Blind Audition with a rendition of Damn Your Eyes by Etta James, she chose to join the team of McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.

Making it through the Callback stage, Ava went on to perform The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles in the final as well as a duet of Hoobastank’s The Reason with her coaches.

After a tense conclusion to the series, she then announced as the winner, taking home £50,000 and a trip to Florida.

Since her win was announced, both of Ava’s covers have been released, with The Beatles’ song reaching the number 3 position on The Big Top 40 Chart.

The release of the single with her coaches is also a first for The Voice UK.

Reflecting on her success to date, Ava said she was working towards becoming the most successful winner of the show since it started in 2012.  

‘I think the history line of The Voice that everybody knows about, I think it would be an absolutely incredible achievement if I could make history and change that and I strive to be the one to change that and I hope I can be,’ she told .

‘If I can do this the right way and stay true to myself, I think I can keep the people who connect to my music around me.

‘I’m not out there looking to be the next top thing, I just want to find my people in this world that get where I am coming from and if that means a lot of people, then get me up there,’ she added.

Speaking about her desire to ‘make herself and fans proud’, Ava said she would be thrilled with whatever happens along the way.

‘I will always be grateful, but I am striving for absolute pure and utter connection with the world. Music is such a universal language I think I can use it to put a bit of peace out into the world,’ she added.

Since being announced as the winner, Ava said she’s faced ‘a mix of emotions’.

‘It’s been amazing but also overwhelming. I think having such a passion for singing, I always had it in the back of my mind wondering if I could show people…it’s been crazy to see them reciprocating. It’s been amazing and my life has changed, and I am now focusing on music more which is a dream of mine, so I am very happy about that,’ she explained.

With no vocal training behind her, Ava had never considered signing up to the show before being contacted by a producer inviting her to audition.

‘It wasn’t really something that ever crossed my mind. If you know me, I don’t really like being the centre of attention. Whenever I watch these programmes, I never ever saw myself having the confidence to get up there,’ she said.

‘But one day I was at the dog groomers, and I received the message from someone saying they had seen videos I’d posted online and I thought “all I’m ever doing is this 9-5, why not give it a go?”. I always say no but this time I thought I wanted to try and do something I could have a go at.’

The decision clearly paid off, with Ava flooded with support from viewers throughout her time on the series.

The success she found on the show also left her with massive confidence boost she never thought possible.

‘I’m sitting in my head right now wondering what I am capable of, because I knew I could hit a few notes, but I had no idea I had the confidence to stand on a stage and really do that and stick to it and push myself out of my comfort zone,’ she said.

‘Now I’ve learnt things about myself I didn’t know I’m just going to keep going and take the opportunities coming my way and see where I fit in this world. I know there is a place for me, I just need to figure out where it is.

‘Winning the prize and going through the process and healing things about myself I didn’t realise I needed to, it’s all life changing.’

In the next few weeks and months Ava plans to record some of her own music and would also love to release more covers of the songs she performed on The Voice.

But it’s getting out and meeting her fans she doesn’t want to miss out on.

‘Hopefully I can get some live shows because that’s where I love to be. I love the energy, the raw reaction from people and being connected with everyone,’ she said.

After being announced as the winner of The Voice UK 2024, Ava said on the show she was ‘speechless’ but felt ‘honoured’.