The Voice UK: Rachael keeps feet on the ground like idol Kylie

The Drumsurn girl and Limavady Grammar School pupil told the Sentinel she has gotten straight back into her school books despite being installed as the early favourite to go all the way on the Voice.

She arguably stole the show on Saturday night with her performance, alongside fellow contestant Amelia O’Connell, of Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake’s track ‘Holy Grail’.

Asked whether she was aware of her status as favourite, she said: “So I’ve heard, yeah! It’s great to see that people are expecting me to do so well and even putting money on me to win but I’m not too concerned. It’s very flattering.”

Regarding the standard of opposition, Rachael said: “It’s terrifying! Hopefully I am terrifying for them too though.”

Ahead of another appearance on Saturday night (Saturday, March 15) in the ‘knockout’ round of the competition, Rachael said she was getting back into her school work: “I’ve stuff to catch up in and stuff so that’s what I’m doing at the minute.”

When news that the Drumsurn girl was to appear on ‘The Voice’ first emerged, much was said about Rachael’s positive work ethic. That work ethic appears to be still driving the 16-year-old towards success, despite the fact that she is now working with international superstars such as Kylie Minogue and Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters fame. “At the beginning I was saying ‘oh-my-God that’s Kylie Minogue’ but when you’re there you sort of get over that and you’re just working with her. She’s a really down-to-earth, genuine woman.”