A SOUTHAMPTON teenager could be on his way to stardom after reaching the semi-finals of a national competition.

Donel Mangena from Woolston is through to the next round of The Voice.

The talented Barton Peveril College teen, who went to St George school, had judge Will.I.Am “on the edge of his seat” throughout his Saturday night rendition of Bruno Mars’ Finesse.

Now the media, English and drama student will battle it out for a place at the top when he goes through to the next round.

Now dad Nkosani - who works as an IT manager for a Southampton company - said he would love everyone to get behind Donel, and said he wants “the whole of Southampton and Hampshire to vote” next week.

He said: “He’s representing Southampton and Hampshire. It’s the most amazing feeling to know that he’s down to the top eight out of thousands of entries. “We went up to London to watch but it was nerve-wracking because we didn’t know whether he was going to make it.”

But fans might have been disappointed when gran Nita, who Donel as cited as inspiration, wasn’t at the show in person - although producers filmed him phoning her at home in Zimbabwe at the end of the show to let her know of his latest success.

Nkosani said Donel learnt to sing at New Creation Life Ministries Church - which he attends every Sunday - as well as at home, where Nkosani has his own production studio.

It continues next Saturday.