A LONG-standing judge on BBC television show The Voice has heaped praise on a Bradford singer for his "awesome tones."

Faheem Ashraf, 21, of Wibsey, impressed both the American singer-songwriter will.i.am and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson with his version of Marvin Gaye by Charlie Puth featuring Meghan Trainor.

The 21-year-old had barely started his audition when will.i.am's chair turned. Keighley-born Wilson, who studied at St Mary's in Menston, also turned his chair and then lifted his arms in celebration when Faheem told the judging panel where he was from.

But Wilson knew he would struggle to land the Bradford-born singer, and his instinct turned out to be correct as Faheem could not resist the appeal of joining will.i.am's team.

will.i.am said: "Sometimes, a singer doesn't even have to sing for 90 seconds. They can sing for two seconds and I know if they're awesome or not. You've got awesome tones. You got that magic tone."

Addressing the four judges, Faheem said: "Just to sing for all four of you was everything I could ask. To even be here was amazing, so the fact that two of you turned round......."

The Voice continues on BBC One next week.