HUNDREDS of people turned out to see Cumbria’s singing superstar Jolan Gidney-Craigen return to his home village after securing a place in The Voice final.

Delighted fans crammed into Moor Row Working Men’s Club on Monday as the BBC recorded footage for the final show.

Fresh from his semi-final success on Saturday, Jolan greeted the crowds, posed for selfies and even performed his audition song Wishing Well by Terence Trent D’Arby.

The 22-year-old said: “It’s overwhelming, I wasn’t expecting anything like this. Being down in London I haven’t had the chance to see the extent of the support back home. My girlfriend Nicole has been coming down to see me, but it’s great to see my family.”

As he entered the club, friends, family and admirers waved flags carrying messages of good luck while cheers and applause rang out.

His girlfriend Nicole Trainor, who had organised the event for the BBC, said: “It’s humbling, his aim was to get past the blind auditions but I want him to win it now!

“We were going to hold this in our house but I don’t think everyone would fit.”

While the star’s uncle, Stuart Craigen, came all the way from Manchester to see his nephew return home.

He said: “We’re just over the moon – we’re so proud of him. He has grown with confidence as the show has gone on. He has a unique talent and I think he has a great future ahead of him.”

Also present were the singer’s proud grandparents, John and Alison Newton. John recalled how a four-year-old Jolan had made his grandmother cry when he sang a beautiful version of I Believe I Can Fly to family members.

His grandfather said: “When he was about four he sang for his gran and made her cry. We’re over the moon for him.

“Every morning when I go into the local garage to get my paper, it’s what everyone is talking about.

“They’re all asking for posters of him.”

Copeland’s mayor Mike Starkie also turned out to show his support for Jolan, who he has known since he was a child.

The mayor said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see him do so well. Saturday was the best performance of the lot. I saw him perform in St Bees when he was younger; he was always good at Prince.”

Jolan won through to the final with a rendition of Prince’s Purple Rain, in memory of his late mother Joanne, before performing with his mentor – frontman of the Kaiser Chiefs Ricky Wilson – and fellow TeamRicky contestant Kevin Simm – a former member of pop band Liberty X.

They belted out Power of Love by Huey Lewis and The News.

And, ahead of this Saturday’s final, Jolan is feeling quite relaxed.

He said: “I’m actually feeling calm, I think it’s because I’ve got as far as I can now. All I can do is win it and that’s what I’ll try to do. I just need people to vote!”

“I never expected to get this far and now it is the final week. I hope everyone has enjoyed it.”

The live two-hour final of the BBC 1 show will air on Saturday, April 9 at 7pm.