A music teacher with high hopes of winning a BBC singing competition has made it through to the next stage.

Gary Poole, of Friday Hill, Chingford, appeared on The Voice last night to battle it out with two-time auditionee Elesha Paul Moses.

The pair were chosen by mentor Tom Jones to sing Usher's 'Caught Up', a song Mr Poole confessed he was not familiar with.

Following the performance, judge Will.I.Am said he would pick Elesha but was impressed by Mr Poole's singing capabilities.

In the end, Mr Jones selected the father-of-three to be one of his final seven singers.

"It was an epic battle and I'm glad I'm still in the competition," said the 47 year-old soul singer.

Mr Poole teaches music harmony and vocal technique at the London Centre of Contemporary Music in London Bridge.