ITV's The Voice singer shares journey from foster care to stage

A singer who spent part of his childhood growing up in foster care says making it through the blind auditions of The Voice UK felt like a "pinch me" moment.

Diogo Ferreira, 28, who lives in Bristol, performed on ITV's first episode of the season in front of the show's celebrity judges.

All four judges turned their chairs during his performance, giving him the choice of which team to join. He eventually picked Will.i.am, dedicating his song to "finding love".

Ferreira, who will next appear in the battle stage of the show, said: "I've just always chased the dream of becoming a musician and a singer. I didn't get lessons or anything like that. I just practised."

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The 28-year-old who was born in Portugal and grew up in Cumbria said he had experienced little sense of being loved during his childhood, adding: "I had a roof over my head, but I never felt loved in a family."

He now works as a youth worker at Project 224 in South Bristol where he supports children living in the city.

Ferreira said he moved to England with his father several months after being involved in a car crash on his eighth birthday in Portugal. A couple of years later he was placed in foster care.

Despite what he experienced, Ferreira said he does not regret his past and believes it has shaped the person he has become.

"If I didn't go through what I went through, I don't think I'd be in the position that I am in now," he said.

"It's made me a tougher person and it's made me appreciate the smaller things in life."

Ferreira first started singing at secondary school before busking around the country and later studying for a vocal degree at university.

He was then approached through social media by a scout for The Voice, who had spotted one of his online videos.

Despite initially believing the message was a scam, he eventually went through a series of auditions.

Speaking to Ferreira on the show, Will.i.am said: "Your voice, talk about smooth, you were spot on it's great."

Ferreira described working with Will.i.am as an "incredible experience".

His partner Chelsea watched the audition from backstage and said she was "definitely more nervous" than him.

"As soon as Tom Jones pressed the button, just relief," she said.

"When all four turned, we were just like, well, he's got the pick. He can pick whoever he wants."

Away from music, Ferreira works as a youth worker at 224 Youth Zone in south Bristol.

He said his decision to work with young people was influenced by a youth worker who supported him while he was in foster care.

"He was just the positive and stable episode in my life when I really needed him.

"I wanted to be the same kind of youth worker that I had," he said.

"I wanted to be a positive role model and to encourage young people to become their best version."

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