Bolton singer Linda Jennings is through to the next round of The Voice after wowing the judges her version of The Beatles song The Long and  Winding Road

And the 49-year-old won an instant fan in judge Sir Tom Jones who, with will.i.am and Gavin Rossdale, turned their chairs in the blind audition.

Linda, who appeared wearing her trademark giant glasses and her ‘lucky shoes’, was told by Sir Tom that he was given the song by Paul  McCartney in the 60s.

He told her: "I was in a club in London in the '60s with Paul McCartney.

"I said 'Paul could you write me a song', and he said 'OK'. And that was the song. He said: 'This is the song, and it has to be your next single.'

"I had a record coming out that week, and I didn't get the song. I would have loved to have done that song myself, so that song has also been very close to me. But you did a wonderful, wonderful job. You sang it really, really beautifully well. And I would love to have you on my team."

Linda, who says she performs in several bands and duets with her partner John, whom  she met while wearing  her ‘lucky shoes’ on stage, had early said: ”I’ve got to do the best possible job and hit the stratosphere with the  song.”

She chose Sir Tom as her  mentor.