A SELF-TAUGHT musician who was inspired by her mum’s love of music is through to the next stage of The Voice UK.

Coffee shop barista Chloe Jones was left with a tough decision on her hands after battling it out on the latest series of the ITV talent show, which aired on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, from Appleton, was among the first to try to impress new judge Olly Murs and returning mentors Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson and Will.i.Am during the blind auditions.

She is now fighting for survival against other hopefuls for a recording contract with Polydor Records.

“It was so strange as I’ve never imagined something like this happening before,” said the former Priestley College student.

“It was quite crazy. My mum and dad were quite emotional seeing me on the TV.

“My mum loves The Voice so she was over the moon.”

After singing Corinne Bailey Rae’s Just Like A Star, Chloe was able to choose her mentor after three of the judges turned around in the famous TV chairs to show their backing for the musician.

But after pressing his red button moments into Chloe’s rendition of the Grammy-nominated song, the 22-year-old selected Team Tom.

Chloe, who counts her granddad Alan as her biggest fan, has been singing since she was a child and now performs at open mic nights around her home town of Warrington.

“I have been singing all my life,” said former Bridgewater High School pupil Chloe, who went on to study at BIMM Manchester music college.

“My first memory is singing in choir at school and at competitions in primary school.

“My mum said I walked round the house like a songbird

“When I was in school I picked up the guitar.

“My brother had a guitar in his room and he wasn’t playing it at the time.

“I would sneak into his room to take it.

“My mum used to play the guitar as a child and when I said I wanted to learn she taught me this Spanish song.”

Chloe follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner Mo Adeniran, from Stockton Heath, and Max Vickers, who made it through to the semi-finals.

“I wanted to challenge myself and gain confidence,” said Chloe, who will face the battle stage in the next round of the competition.

“At the time I was nervous – my emotions went numb.

“When they gave me feedback I remember thinking ‘is this a dream?’”

The talent show returned on Saturday night for its second series on ITV, since transferring from the BBC.

Tune in at 8pm on Saturday.