The Voice judges praise Kevin Simm's 'amazing' rendition of Adele hit

Kevin Simm has been hailed for his "amazing" rendition of Adele's Rolling In The Deep on the live semi-final of The Voice.

The former Liberty X singer kicked off tonight's penultimate show of the series to loud cheers and praise from the all-star judging panel of Ricky Wilson, will.i.am, Paloma Faith and Boy George.

Eight acts are battling for a place in next week's grand final, but it is up to the public to decide who will progress and who will be going home.

"It's a good start," Simm's mentor Wilson said.

"You've made it pretty impossible for anyone else to sing. That was amazing, Kevin. You did it, you did it perfectly."

US artist will.i.am added: "I'm really confused on why you don't have a career, and why you're a contestant. I just don't get it."

Londoner Lyrickal gave a moving rendition of Wiz Khalifa's See You Again featuring Charlie Puth.

Near tears as he spoke about his performance, the rapper told co-presenter Emma Willis: "I can identify with the words in the song."

Coach will.i.am praised what he heard. "There's great singers on the show, and then there's that extra talent, that extra oomph," he said.

"It's one thing to say, I'm going to sing this person's song and another thing to say, I'm going to sing this person's song and insert my soul here, and that's why we feel the way we feel about Lyrickal."

Meanwhile, teenager Heather Cameron-Hayes put an acoustic spin on Justin Bieber's smash hit Sorry.

"I am so ecstatic everyone, are you?" coach Faith cried as she gestured to the audience to cheer following the student's rendition.

"I just thought that was so wonderful," she said.

Bookies' favourite Cody Frost tackled Fleetwood Mac's The Chain.

Last week, sound issues affected her performance, but it was much smoother sailing for the 18-year-old inside Elstree Studios this week.

"It was amazing," Boy George enthused. "Look how happy I look. I'm the happiest person in Elstree, and all surrounding areas. Amazing!"

Lydia Lucy, one-time contestant on The X Factor, turned to The Jackson 5 classic I'll Be There in her attempt to woo the voting public.

The Essex vocalist has previously won praise for the ease with which she can switch between singing and rapping - and she utilised this skill on the Motown track.

"Once again, following Lyrickal's genius, she also wrote those extra bits that you heard in the song," will.i.am said.

"She deserves to be not only in the finals - she deserves to be out there in the world being a magnet, drawing people to arenas."

Jordan Gray, who was born male but now lives as a woman, chose to cover Bruce Springsteen's Dancing In The Dark.

"She makes me so happy. Thank you!" her coach Faith cried. "It was just a celebration of existence and humanity and you stand for all those things and you're stunning."

Boy George added: "For me, you're just so ahead in terms of being a performer. You're the real deal. If we lived in a fair and just world, you'd probably win the show."

Londoner Vangelis gave a theatrical rendition of Christina Aguilera hit Beautiful.

"He's like my new Julio Iglesias with a hint of Demis Roussos and a bit of Nana Mouskouri," said Boy George of his young charge. "He's a real singer."

Cumbrian pop wannabe Jolan strummed away on guitar for his version of Prince's Purple Rain.

"I love you, man," Kaiser Chiefs frontman Wilson told him.

"I really hope you go through because you deserve to play again. You deserve people to hear you, and if that doesn't do it, I don't know what will."