Cry Me A River! The Voice reject Bob Blakeley is reduced to tears after securing record deal live on BBC Breakfast

The Voice reject Bob Blakeley was reduced to tears after being offered a six-month recording deal live on BBC Breakfast.
The 55-year-old warehouse worker from Stockport was offered the contract with music producer Mike Batt - who discovered Katie Melua - on Thursday's show.
All four judges failed to turn around for the grandad, who sung a powerful rendition of Cry Me A River, on Saturday night.

Gobsmacked: The Voice reject Bob Blakeley broke down in tears after he was offered a contract by music producer Mike Batt live on BBC Breakfast

He appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about his appearance on last Saturday's The Voice, and was shocked when the studio did a live link-up to Batt, who said he had
been watching the show in his kitchen.

Batt said: 'He was so phenomenal, we knew someone would go for it, but nobody turned and I felt such a sense of injustice that I thought I ought to do something.
'I would like to be the fifth person that did turn round... I would love to mentor you, to, if you like, manage you for six months or so until you get a deal with a good company, or with my own company. You must not let this chance go by and I would like to help you.'

Voice reject Bob Blakeley reduced after record offer on TV

Wiping away the tears: Bob wiped away the tears as he held onto Susanna Reid's hand

In shock: The factory worker could not believe what was happening live on the show

Blakeley, whose day job is collecting pallets at a Kerry Foods in Bredbury, was moved to tears by the offer and thanked him repeatedly.

'That means so much,' he said, holding presenter Susanna Reid's hand.

He later posted on Twitter: 'Wow what an incredible morning ... I can't thank you all enough for your support! I hope to bring you all some great music.'

BBC breakfast later tweeted: 'It's not every day we get to make a dream come true.'

Supportive: The TV presenters were very supportive of Bob, who was told by the judges afterwards that they should have kept him in the show

Blakeley said he was nervous before the BBC1 show on Saturday night, but thought he would get through when the audience gave him a standing ovation.

He said: 'In my heart I was sure they would press and on the audience reaction too.'

Although none of the judges turned round, they all complimented his singing.

'You should be a professional singer. Your singing is flawless, it's a beautiful voice with a beautiful tone,' said Tom Jones.

Pleased: Bob looked chuffed with himself as he held his hand to his mouth in disbelief

Batt, 64, who owns the record label Dramatico, is best known for creating The Wombles pop act and writing chart-topping song Bright Eyes.

Blakeley, who is married to Carol, has spent decades trying to break into the music industry, playing small gigs at pubs and clubs under the name Robbie Carol.
On hearing the news, Moira Ross, Executive Producer, The Voice UK: 'We’re so delighted that Bob chose to come onto The Voice, knowing the show is a great platform for amazing talent and we wish him all the very best for the future.'

Cry Me A River: Bob coincidentally sung a rather appropriate song for his performance, as he was reduced to tears on This Morning following the good news