Showbiz is often said to be a young person’s game, and at 22, Lucy Thomas is definitely winning. The Wigan native, warm and engaging in person, has an anecdote for every occasion, and an easy manner which belies her age.
She’s already packed such a lot into her life. After years of childhood singing lessons, Lucy’s honeyed vocals enthralled viewers of the BBC’s The Voice Kids in 2018.
Now, with a global fan base, performances for VIPs and tens of millions of YouTube views to her name, Lucy is well-versed in her own achievements, but never with ego. As she prepares to step into musical theatre, she remains as humble as ever, crediting parents Louise and Jason for their support, sister Martha for being a natural singer, and mentor Chris Broom for his professional guidance – and for penning songs that have earned her fans worldwide.
Lucy is a self-confessed ‘home bird’ who has lived in Wrightington, Wigan, her whole life and now has her first home just around the corner from her family. ‘They’ve been the most supportive parents. In my earliest memory, I was about seven at my Nana’s birthday. She had a band playing and after they went off, I got onto the microphone and sang Adele’s Someone Like You.’
Buoyed by the reaction, Lucy’s parents found a tutor who tapped into a serious work ethic that she still carries today. ‘I had the same lesson with my singing teacher, Carolyn, every Wednesday until I was 14. I didn’t ever say “oh, I can’t be bothered”, even if it meant missing birthday parties!’
She was first approached to compete on The Voice Kids at 13, but her parents decided it was too soon. When producers came back the following year, Lucy was ready. ‘My grandad was in a band when he was about my age and played the drums. My uncle has a beautiful voice and plays guitar, and my mum can sing really well. It was such a musical household.’
Her sister Martha shares that gift, and the pair have performed duets on YouTube. Lucy says she has always been grounded thanks to her parents, though early knockbacks were tough to take. ‘When I was 10 I auditioned to be Matilda in the West End and I got to the final six. I walked in to see these other girls pirouetting and all I knew was I could sing. I got to the final stage and then missed out. It broke me because I got my hopes up so much.’
After that near miss, Lucy threw herself back into practice, so when The Voice Kids came along she was ready. ‘The experience was great, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it because that’s how I met Chris Broom.’
Following the show, Chris signed her to his label Cavendish. Since then he has mentored her and written for her, with the pair releasing six studio albums and building a close working relationship that now sees him penning Rosie The Musical with Lucy in the main role. It is easy to forget she did not actually win The Voice Kids.
‘At the time it was the most gutting thing being knocked out of the show. But it did have a bigger picture, it did have a silver lining.’
Few could have predicted how far she would come in just seven years. ‘I think my cover of Hallelujah [written by Leonard Cohen] on YouTube has now just hit 70 million views. I didn’t want to record it because it is so covered, but it got me a lot of fans. I owe a lot to Hallelujah.
‘At the meet and greets, people who have travelled from America or Tasmania tell me they’ve experienced sadness and loss and I’ve helped them. The best thing I can be told is I’m helping people.’
Closer to home, Lucy supports Rainbow Hub, a charity in Mawdesley that provides therapeutic services for young people with physical disabilities. Her fans have raised more than £15,000 in her name, enough to care for two children for a full year, and Lucy has performed at many of the charity’s Christmas balls.
Feeling settled in her life and content in her career is something Lucy does not take for granted. ‘I have developed determination and resilience, because there have been bumps in the road, and I’ve struggled with nerves, from when I was about 16 to 18.’
When she sang for Cliff Richard’s birthday celebrations, she asked him for advice on stage fright – from an artist who has had number one singles across five consecutive decades. ‘He said “Have you got any questions for me?” and I said “Do the nerves ever get easier?”
‘He said, “No, you just learn to cope with them better”. I always get those little nervous butterflies, but in a good way, not a way that makes me feel I can’t do it.’
With Chris on her team, Lucy has never struggled to find new material to record alongside her favourite classics. Looking ahead, she hopes 2026 will bring more confidence in her own song writing. ‘I’m still learning how to write music. I’ve had experiences of co-writing – my first original was Don’t Walk Away, but it was predominantly by Chris. I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m still young, and every day I learn something new.’
Alongside music, Lucy studied business, economics and psychology A-Levels. ‘I enjoyed studying and I owe Chris a lot because I never felt like I had to do music over studying. I wanted to make sure I’ve got back up, because how you feel about your career can change.’
Chris – ‘like an uncle figure to me’ – is based in Guildford but has worked closely with Lucy and her family ever since he signed her. His next project will see her appearing on March 17 at The Adelphi Theatre in London in Rosie The Musical.
The show tells the remarkable true story of Miss Rosie Boote, who was raised in a convent in Ireland with a dream of becoming a star on the West End stage in Edwardian London. ‘It’s Chris’ baby, he’s been developing it for 10 years. I recorded my first Rosie song when I was 14, called One Day.
‘Rosie had a dream of becoming a star on the West End. She faces prejudice and struggles, but it’s all about resilience, it’s a tale of courageous determination and passion and love for what she wants to do. And it all works out for her, which is the best thing.’
The historical drama will see Lucy stretching her acting chops, but she is more excited than nervous. ‘Growing up I’d always been in the school plays, I have always loved acting. To prepare for Rosie, I’m working with an acting coach, so I’m excited for the challenge. The script is incredible.’
Later this year, in September, she will play shows in Geneva and Annecy – on September 6 and 12 – and she will be announcing livestreams for fans as the year goes on. With so much already behind her but a world of experiences still ahead, Lucy feels grateful.
‘My life feels so happy. I wouldn’t say easy because there’s a lot of hard work, but it’s always something I love to do, so having to rehearse or practise doesn’t feel like a chore. It’s just what I’ve always known and loved, and it comes naturally to me to do it.’.
lucythomasmusic.com
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