Series Three of popular BBC talent show, The Voice launches tonight with the first round of the blind auditions.

Hainault performer Ryan Green holds his own as he sings his version of Don’t Go by Tottenham born rapper Wretch 32 to judges Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, will i am and Ricky Wilson.

The blind auditions see 160 people perform for the judges who sit facing away from the acts. If they hear someone they like, the judges press a button indicating they want that act for their team and turn around, seeing the performer for the first time.

Seventeen-year-old Ryan, who attended West Hatch High School in Chigwell before leaving to study at The Brit School of Performing Arts in Croydon, described the experience as “nerve wracking” but “very exciting”.

Ryan, who performed while playing the piano, said: “I was very nervous performing in front of such big names, but it was an amazing experience. It was strange playing to them with their backs turned as normally when I perform I can tell whether people like it or not, so it was weird not knowing what the judges were thinking.”

Ryan had support from family members and his parents backstage, whom he credits with starting his passion for music.

“My parents love music so I loved music from an early age,” he added.

“We always had music on in the house, and when I was 10, they bought me a piano.”

Ryan is a regular on the local music scene, regularly busking with his guitar outside the Town Hall in Ilford and performing at local events and open-mic nights.

He hopes to pursue a career in song writing and performing when he finishes his music diploma.

To find out whether Ryan gets through to the next round, watch The Voice on BBC One at 7pm.