The Voice UK finalist Lauren Bannon was rejected by the show on the BBC

Lauren Bannon was turned away by The Voice UK when it aired on BBC One, she has revealed.

27-year-old Lauren is a finalist on The Voice 2018 as part of Team Olly Murs after making it through to tonight’s live final.

But it turns out it’s not her first time on the show.

Lauren has said she originally auditioned in 2014 when the series was airing on BBC One but didn’t even make it to TV.

“I originally auditioned for the show four years ago and didn’t even reach the blind audition stage, but I didn’t give up,” Lauren told DIVA Magazine. “If you love what you do – if you have a passion for it – then keep trying.

“Setbacks will happen, but try to learn from them and not get disheartened.”

Lauren went on to praise ITV for not making a ‘big deal’ about her sexuality, while also not hiding it either.

After being seen kissing her wife following the battle rounds, Lauren said: “I thinks it’s wonderful! For ITV to televise our kiss on a prime time family show proves how far we’ve come in terms of normalising same-sex relationships.

“They’ve not made a big deal out of the fact that I’m gay – there’s no need to make a fuss – but they’re not hiding it either. It’s part of who I am and I’m proud to be married to Bex and to be sharing this journey with her.

“She wants to help me fulfill my dreams and her support means the world to me.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Dorset Echo, Lauren celebrated making the live final.

She raved: “It doesn’t feel like real life.

“It’s surreal, but it feels amazing. It was ten times better than any of the other shows because it was live, and the atmosphere was electric.”

The Voice UK 2018 concludes this evening on ITV with the live final from 8:30PM.