Jenna Cole and Olivia Irvin, collectively known as Jen & Liv, have emerged as the winners of the twelfth season of ITV’s The Voice UK. Mentored by Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am, the busking duo from North East England secured a recording contract with Universal Music, £50,000 in cash, and a holiday in Mauritius. Jen, 21, from Whitley Bay, and Liv, 24, from Spennymoor, began their musical journey as buskers in the North East, playing popular spots such as Newcastle’s busy Northumberland Street.

During the final, Jen & Liv showcased their vocal abilities with renditions of Whitney Houston’s ‘I’m Every Woman’ and Beyonce’s ‘Break My Soul,’ alongside Will.i.am, leaving a lasting impression on the audience and judges. The grand finale aired on December 30 and saw the duo surpass competitors Hope Winter, from Greenwich, Jolie Stevens, from Cardiff, and Callum Doignie, from Telford, to become the first group ever to win The Voice UK.

In the aftermath of their win, Jen & Liv took to Instagram to share their appreciation, stating, “Man…we are feeling beyond grateful for our time on @thevoiceuk. We have grown so much from this experience, as musicians and as women.”

From their humble beginnings as buskers to national acclaim, the win is a testament to the growing music scene of the North East. Speaking with the Northern Echo, Liv said, “The North East is definitely one for rallying behind its local artists. That’s something we have really felt since we started busking. Everyone is so supportive. The North East is just amazing. We can’t wait to get out there and make our music.”

Jenna expressed her sentiments in an interview with ITV Tyne Tees, emphasising the North East’s unwavering support for local artists, declaring, “There’s so much creative talent in the North East, and I think everyone always thinks it’s in London, so I think we all really need to rally together and get as much out there as possible.”

After concluding the filming of the finale in April, Jen & Liv have continued to busk in well-known spots across the North East, ensuring the secrecy of their victory until the episode aired. In addition, they have been working together diligently in the studio on their highly anticipated upcoming single, which is set to be released soon. Meanwhile, their current winning single ‘I’m Every Woman‘ is now available to stream and download on all major streaming platforms.