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ITV The Voice viewers 'well up' after oldest contestant performs with Will.i.am

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The Voice fans were incredibly touched by a surprise performance by 76-year-old Bette, the ITV show's oldest contestant to date.

This Saturday (September 28), she took to the stage for the first time in decades to try and impress judges Sir Tom Jones, Will.i.am, LeAnn Rimes and Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.

Her performance impressed Black Eyed Peas singer Will.i.am so much that he joined her on stage for an impromptu performance of one of his band's biggest hits, I Gotta Feeling.

The crowd were loving it as Bette harmonised along and danced with the hip-hop icon.

Several fans watching along at home took to social media to admit the moment had them looking for the tissues.

One viewer said on X (formerly Twitter): "Why am I welling up at the 76 year old woman performing rappers delight on #TheVoice love her she's amazing."

Another said: "This might be the best thing I've ever seen."

"What a moment of joy," someone else posted. "My favorite rap song to drive to, Sugarhill Gang sung by a 76 year old! I'm glad someone turned, we need to see more of her."

"Awww bless Bette," another said, adding a loved-up emoji. And someone else added: "Bette is everything [heart hands]."

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While a final fan exclaimed: "Bette to win! What a legend. And on Team Tom and Danny!"

Fans were clearly over the moon when Tom and Danny turned their chairs around just in time to secure Bette a place in the next stage of the competition.

They called the 76-year-old a "vital and important" member of their team, labelling her a "super nan".

Explaining her reasoning for auditioning for The Voice, Bette revealed: "I haven't been on stage since 1966. But, at 76, you're still a young thing if it's in your mind.

"I want to do myself proud and I want to make my family proud. It's a big privilege to be here."

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Bette later got emotional as she revealed her husband had recently died "unexpectedly", candidly sharing it had been a "rough time".

Her son, a comedian named Stewart Reynolds, shared more details in a social media post before the episode aired.

"My Mom @thatsbette has been having a year," he said on Instagram. "She was 24/7 caregiver for my Dad who had dementia for years.

"Dad died in January. She filmed The Voice UK in February. She released 2 songs since and we just finished filming her Christmas music video. She's an inspiration."

The Voice continues Saturdays at 8.30pm on ITV1.

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