A shoe designer is to appear on BBC reality show The Voice tonight (Saturday).

Milly J (real name Emily Jupp), 31, of Jessop Road, Stevenage, will appear on television after auditioning last year.

Her husband, Mark Eastwood, had never heard her sing before the audition but it was a real-life tragedy that inspired her to perform.

She said: “My husband was pretty surpised, that’s for sure.

“The last time I sang was at the funeral of my brother, Dan, and I hadn’t been near a stage since. He was an artist and has always been my utmost inspiration. I always feel a certain connection to him when I sing.

“I was very nervous when I first got up on stage but then the adrenaline kicked in and it all just felt so exhilarating.”

Milly performed a version of Summertime by classical composer George Gershwin.

She also presented judge Kylie Minogue with a specially-designed pair of shoes.

“She has a song called Chocolate so I designed them to look like they were covered in just that. She was gobsmacked.”

Milly will appear on The Voice tonight from 7.10pm on BBC1.