The singer and actor who is best known for his performance in the title role of Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre is now a contestant on the 10th series of the show.
Opening the show, Matt Croke performed Come What May from the musical Moulin Rouge in the second episode of The Voice which aired last night on ITV. He managed to ipress the judges, with Olly Murs turning and putting him through to the next stage of the competition.
Talking about taking pat in the show he said: “All my life I’ve been involved in musical theatre, it’s what I know and what I love. 2020 changed a lot of things, but most noticeably for me I wanted to find a different way to do what I love the most. So when an opportunity came along to be involved with The Voice UK I jumped at it, and I am so proud to be doing my thing and to be waving the flag for the industry of which I am so proud to be involved in.”
The Voice is presented by Emma Willis, with the award-winning pop star Anne-Marie joining Sir Tom Jones,will.i.am and Olly Murs in the revolving red chairs, all on the lookout for the next big singing sensation. The winner of the show will get to sign a recording contract with Universal’s label UMOD.
Matt Croke’s career has seen him understudy and star in several major theatre roles includingWest Side Story’s Tony, Wicked’s Fiyero, Funny Girl’s Eddie, Chicago’s Amos Hart, Grease’s Eugene, Singin’ in the Rain’s Don Lockwood, Cinderella’s Prince Charming, Larry in A Chorus Line, and Zeke in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.
Born and raised in Sheffield, Croke received training at the Maureen Law Theatre School, Sharon Berry School of Dance, and Laine Theatre Arts College. He credits his sister, Rachel Croke, as inspiration for his love of musical theatre, and they currently share the role of principal at the RMC Academy of Theatre Performance in his hometown.
He has also released is debut solo album, Only Dreaming, in late 2018. It features many of his talented friends including Hiba Elchikhe, Trevor Dion Nicholas, and Nick Afoa. The album includes songs from musicals such as laddin, Big Fish, West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Moulin Rouge!, The Wiz, and more.
The 10th series of The Voice UK continues on Saturday 9 January from 8.30pm on ITV.