Welsh singer Cate McHugh has been crowned the winner of The Voice UK, marking a significant milestone after years of busking on the streets of Cardiff. McHugh, a 32-year-old from Llantwit Major, was mentored by Sir Tom Jones, whom she described as a warm and supportive presence throughout the competition. "It was just an honour to be in his presence," McHugh said of working with Jones.
McHugh's journey in music began as a teenager when she was given a guitar, leading her to decide, "I was going to be Taylor Swift." She started busking with the support of her parents. Sir Tom Jones's advice to focus on the story within each song proved instrumental, especially during moments when McHugh felt overwhelmed. "What's the story?" he would reportedly ask, urging her to "stay true" to the narrative.
Navigating life after losing her sight at age 22 due to Stargardt disease, a degenerative macular condition, has fueled McHugh's determination. She views music as a powerful emotional outlet. "When I'm on a stage singing and the lights are down on the audience, it's the one place that I don't think about my sight loss," she explained. McHugh added that her condition is "just a small part of me, it's not who I am."
Choosing to "take up space and be bigger" rather than diminishing herself, McHugh found her path through music. She is currently working on her first original song in a studio, with a release anticipated soon. Following her win, footage shared on social media showed McHugh celebrating with family and friends. She has received a £50,000 cash prize and a recording contract, and her debut single, a cover of The Beatles' "Blackbird," is now available.