Jermain Jackman beat the bookies’ odds as he was crowned winner of the BBC’s primetime singing contest, The Voice, landing a major record deal.
The 19-year old from Hackney was the outsider to win the final, according to the Easyodds comparison site - with a probability of 8/1.
But he pipped his opponents - Christina Marie, Sally Barker and Jamie Johnson - to the post, leaving his mentor, Blackeyedpeas rapper will.i.am almost in tears when the results of the public vote were announced.
Over seven million viewers were tuned in to watch as Jermain put his head in his hands in disbelief as his name was announced by host Marvin Humes.
He told viewers: “I want you guys to know, work hard for your dream and you will achieve it.”
He had sung the Miley Cyrus hit Wrecking Ball and Pure Imagination, from the 1971 film Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, which he performed with will.i.am.
During the series the Labour Party activist revealed his ultimate ambition is to become “the first singing black prime minister”, and he met Labour leader Ed Miliband on a radio show.
Mr Miliband tweeted his “huge congratulations” following Jermain’s victory, telling him: “Knew you were an incredibly special singer from the first time I heard you.”
Jermain has been flooded with well wishes from other politicians and celebrities, including Cheryl Cole, who called will.i.am while the show was live on air to congratulate the teenager on his performance.
Hackney Speaker, Cllr Michael Desmond, promised there would be a party at the town hall if he won, but the date has not yet been set.
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