A MUSICAL duo from Blackwood have made it through to the next stage of The Voice, joining up with Welsh icon Sir Tom Jones.

One year after Newport’s Tobias Robertson made it to the battle stages in the fifth season of the singing show, Into the Ark have been selected for Sir Tom's team.

The pairing is made up of 20-year-old singer Taylor Jones and 25-year-old guitarist and singer Dane Lloyd. 

They wowed the judges with a folk acoustic version of Elvis Presley’s ‘Burning Love’, sparking a three-way battle for their allegiance between new judges Gavin Rossdale and Jennifer Hudson, and Sir Tom, who has made a return after departing in 2015.

Speaking after the show aired on Saturday night, twenty-year-old Blackwood man Mr Jones said he was delighted with the response they received from the judges.

“I didn’t expect three people to turn around," he added. "I’m over the moon about that."

Mr Lloyd added: “I feel like Tom had the best pitch. So team Tom, team Wales.”

Before appearing on the sixth series of the showcase, which has recently moved to ITV, they duo had been touring for almost two years.

Sir Tom said of his new recruits: “Into the Ark, just listening to them and the way blend, I think we’re going to have a good time. I’m glad they are on my team."

He told them on Saturday: “Burning Love, I mean to take on that song and to do it like you did is a very brave thing to do for a start off.

"We do have a Welsh connection but I’m not going to play that card.”
The only judge not to turn around was will.i.am, who said: “My guts told me that you guys are from Wales and Tom’s from Wales.”