Wolverhampton University graduate wins The Voice - in Turkey (with video)
A graduate from the University of Wolverhampton has taken a step towards pop stardom after coming out on top in Turkey’s answer to The Voice.
Lütfiye Özipek wowed judges and was crowned the winner of the show – O Ses Türkiye.
The 27-year-old, from North Cyprus, studied popular music at the university before returning home in 2013.
Watch Lütfiye perform Duyanlara Duymayanlara
Lütfiye was congratulated on her success by the university, which posted on Twitter: “Congratulations to popular music graduate @lutfiyeozipek who won ‘The Voice’ Turkey!”
Her version of a song called Duyanlara Duymayanlara by Halil Sezai proved to be the clincher on the night as she was voted winner over other finalists duo Yener Bulut and Ümit Durak.
Her mentor Gökhan Özoğuz said it had been ‘a long time since I’ve heard such a good rock vocal on the show, especially from a woman’.
Since her stunning victory, Lütfiye has met North Cypriot President Mustafa Akinci and First Lady Meral Akinci.
Lütfiye has said she wants her success to inspire other North Cypriot singers-songwriters of the future.
She said: “I want children in North Cyprus to learn about pop music.
“I want to be able to give this type of education, because I have received such an education.”