AN ELATED singer says she’s ‘doing it for Dorset’ after gaining a place in the live semi-final of a TV talent show.

Millions of viewers watched on Saturday night as Weymouth’s Lauren Bannon-Hayes sang her heart out and made it through to the next stage of the The Voice UK after wowing her coach, the pop star Olly Murs.

Lauren, 27, opened the show with a phenomenal performance of Imagine Dragon’s Believer which left Murs and fellow judges in awe.

Speaking on the show, Olly Murs said: “In Lauren I see a fighter, this is everything to her.”

He added that watching her sing felt like Lauren was an established star returning to the stage to perform her own song.

Sir Tom Jones was also full of praise for the singer and said she ‘lifted the room’ with her voice.

Lauren said the response to her performance had been incredible.

She added: “I am really happy with how it went. It has been overwhelming, the response has been incredible. Everybody seems to have enjoyed this performance, it is the one I am most happy with.”

Lauren said she was very excited to be performing in the live semi-finals.

She said: “I am nervous, but excited to get back up on that stage and work with the incredible band.

“I have got ideas for what I am going to sing but nothing is set in stone.”

Lauren added: “I didn’t think I would get this far. Winning still feels distant to me, but it is slowly starting to feel like a reality.

“Hopefully everyone from Dorset will get behind me. I am doing it for Dorset.”

In preparation for Saturday’s performance, Lauren was given some advice from guest mentor, the singer Craig David, who she has been a fan of since a young age.

She said: “Craig David is from my era, I remember being a child and listening to him. I recently went to see him live. His new stuff is fantastic.

“To be face to face with someone you grew up listening to is amazing.”

Saturday’s episode was the first of the knockout rounds.

Judges Olly Murs, Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson and will.i.am have been tasked with whittling their teams from six down to two.

Lauren is one of the two singers who will perform as part of Team Olly in the semis. The second singer will be chosen this Saturday.

To gain a place in the semis, Lauren beat singers Holly Ellison and Kade Smith.

She said: “Saying goodbye to people is one of the hardest parts of the show. It makes going through bittersweet because you become such good friends.”

Lauren will next appear on The Voice in the semi-final on Saturday, March 31, ITV 8.30pm.