‘The Voice UK’ final: Was Stevie McCrorie or Lucy O’Byrne season 4 winner?

We’re as surprised as anyone: For the first time since the beginning of “The Voice” in the United Kingdom, we actually had a finale and a winner that was in many ways predictable. Stevie McCrorie has been in many ways the odds-on favorite to take the crown since the beginning of the series. He’s got that blue-collar background as a likable Scottish fireman, and that tends to lead to a relatable quality coming through to the audience. Add to this a great voice and a likable coach in Ricky Wilson, it was almost a no-brainer that he would win.

So why were we so worried in the first place? It’s because the odds-on favorite very rarely ever wins this show, and because you only get so many weeks to see these contestants during the season. The situation here is a little bit different than a singing show like “The X Factor,” which is on for much longer and you actually become a whole lot more invested in the contestants. One of the reasons we feel like this show has such a weak track record is because the winners barely receive any face time over the course of the season. A good half of it is just watching different auditions every week.

With Stevie as the champion, the runner-up goes to opera singer Lucy O’Byrne, who took a great risk in doing an operatic version of her winner’s single “Lost Stars.” Given the sort of career that can await you if you have this sort of voice, she may actually make more money in her life than the majority of the other singers we’ve seen on the show over the years.

Now, the wait begins for the fifth season … and to see if the season exact crop of coaches all return.

What do you think about the finale, and did the right person win your mind? Share with a comment, and head over here to see where we ranked the contestants going into tonight! Also, you can sign up to get some other news worth singing about via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: BBC.)