The Scottish gran who wowed The Voice with Rapper's Delight

Bette Reynolds, a 76-year-old grandmother from Scotland, has captured the hearts of viewers on The Voice UK with her remarkable rendition of the classic hip-hop song, Rapper's Delight, originally performed by the Sugarhill Gang. This performance not only made her the oldest contestant in the show's history but also earned her a place on the teams of celebrity mentors Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones. Despite it being her first time on stage since 1966, Bette is no stranger to performing. She has built a significant following of over 60,000 fans on social media, where she shares her comedic music videos. Now residing in Ontario, Canada, Bette expressed that memorizing the lyrics to the song was a challenge, but she felt it was worth it to bring joy to others. Her entertaining videos caught the attention of television producers, leading to her audition for the show. 'It’s still unbelievable,' Bette shared. 'We had a watch party at our favorite restaurant and bar, and the turnout was incredible. People cheered when I stepped on stage, and they went wild when the chair turned. ' This experience was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Bette, who has a rich history of singing, was thrilled to have the opportunity to perform in front of such esteemed judges. Her social media presence, featuring songs like 'I'm Your Granny' and 'I'm on the Bus Y'all,' piqued the interest of the show's producers, who invited her to audition in front of the panel, which included Tom and Danny from the pop-punk band McFly, as well as Will. i. am, LeAnn Rimes, and the legendary Tom Jones. The audience in the studio was enthusiastic, urging the judges to press the red button to turn their chairs. Even the show's host, Emma Willis, joined in the excitement, shouting 'push the button' from backstage. Impressed by Bette's performance, Tom and Danny turned their chairs, welcoming her as a 'vital member' of their team. As the competition progresses, Bette will enter the battle phase, where she will face off against other contestants. Bette hails from Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, but she moved to Canada in 1968. She has been singing since she was just five years old, participating in church and school choirs. During the show, viewers learned about Bette's dedication to caring for her husband, Stewart, who battled dementia for many years. She revealed that his passing in January motivated her to join the competition in his memory, as he was a 'fun guy' who always encouraged her. Performing in front of the judges, especially Tom Jones, was a dream come true for Bette. 'I still can't believe I had the audacity to call him Tom,' she remarked. 'When I was five, my mom would take me to church, and people would say, 'put her up on the pew so we can hear her better. ' That's how my singing journey began. I enjoy singing all kinds of music, but I have a special fondness for ballads and gospel. I received classical training, so artists like Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey have always been my favorites. ' Bette, who proudly identifies as a 'full-time grandma,' chose to perform Rapper's Delight because her grandchildren love rap music, and her son and manager, Stewart, encouraged her to take on the challenge. 'I asked my son if he wanted me to memorize this without any cards or anything, and he said, no mom, just do it like you sing your songs.