Jermain Jackman down to final eight in BBC’s singing show The Voice

Hackney’s “singing politician”, Jermain Jackman, is down to the final eight contestants on the BBC’s prime time singing contest, The Voice.

The 19-year-old from Hackney sung Bruno Mars’ Treasure on the live Saturday night show, and was secured a semi-final place when judge Will.i.am, his mentor and coach, picked him out to go through to the next round, rather than Aisha and Sophie, the other two acts he was mentoring.

The former Islington Arts and Media School (IAMS) pupil who picked up his nickname from judge Sir Tom Jones on his first appearance, is an active member of the Labour party in Hackney, and his fans include labour leader Ed Miliband.

Black Eyed Peas producer Will.i.am met Jermain at the BBC’s 2012 Hackney Weekend and told him to apply for the series following his performance with fellow Hackney singer and X Factor winner Leona Lewis.

Anna Fiorentini from the Hackney-based drama school which takes her name is rooting for her former pupil.

She said: “We are proud that Jermain Jackman, one of the young ambassadors for the Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School and its charitable arm The Fiorentini Foundation has won a place on the semi finals for The Voice.

“Jermain was our Fiorentini’s Got Talent 2012 winner and wowed the audience at our Hackney Empire variety performance.

“His performance got a standing ovation from the audience of over 1000 people, they obviously knew a star when they saw one.”