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Vocal technology has helped a woman who had her voice box removed perform a Christmas carol for her sister alongside Love Actually actress Martine McCutcheon.

Tanja Bage, a former theatre performer from Leeds, had her voice box removed after a throat cancer diagnosis in 2020.

The mother-of-two now speaks through a speech valve, but through modern vocal technology McCutcheon’s vocals were transmitted from a recording studio into an Electrospit smart instrument which Ms Bage was wearing around her neck.

The vocal samples then travelled through her throat, allowing her to shape the sounds into Silent Night. Vodafone’s 5G network allowed the two to sing in unison.

It enabled Ms Bage and McCutcheon to perform the carol for Ms Bage’s sister Mia.

COVID lockdowns kept the pair apart during Ms Bage’s treatment and through her recovery.

Martine McCutcheon and Tanja Bage
Image:
Martine McCutcheon (R) and Tanja Bage

Ms Bage and McCutcheon told Sky News’ Kay Burley the experience was “special” and “so emotional”.

EastEnders star McCutcheon said: “So basically Vodafone with 5G technology have found a way, there’s like these headphones that you can put on your throat, and you get the sound of your vowels and your pronunciation – she’s a northerner, I’m a southerner – and we sang Silent Night together.”

Ms Bage said: “It was just a really gorgeous thing to do for [her sister Mia]. We saw so little of each other during lockdown. She was supporting me from afar. I think that’s why this was so special.”

Martine McCutcheon singing in a recording studio
Image:
Martine McCutcheon singing in a recording studio

McCutcheon added: “It was so emotional. What was so mad was when we first heard our voices back it wasn’t mine, and it wasn’t [Ms Bage’s], it was a real blend. But it worked.

“Silent Night is a proper singer’s song, really emotional and really moving.”

She added: “I was asked by Vodafone because apparently [Ms Bage and her sister] are massive Love Actually fans and she was saying she would like to sing with me. So I was really honoured and really touched.

“It must have been so frustrating to not have that release as a singer and as a performer.

“We’ve become friends and stayed in touch and I just loved the project.”

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Sabrina Carpenter hits out at ‘evil and disgusting’ White House video featuring her song

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Sabrina Carpenter hits out at 'evil and disgusting' White House video featuring her song

Sabrina Carpenter has hit out at an “evil and disgusting” White House video of migrants being detained that uses one of her songs.

“Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda,” the pop star posted on X.

The White House used part of Carpenter‘s upbeat song Juno over pictures of immigration agents handcuffing, chasing and detaining people.

It was posted on social media on Monday and has been viewed 1.2 million times so far.

President Trump‘s policy of sending officers into communities to forcibly round up illegal immigrants has proved controversial, with protests and legal challenges ongoing.

Mr Trump promised the biggest deportation in US history, but some of those detained have been living and working in the US for decades and have no criminal record.

Carpenter is not the only star to express disgust over the administration’s use of their music.

More on Sabrina Carpenter

Olivia Rodrigo last month warned the White House not to “ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda” after All-American Bitch was used in a video urging undocumented migrants to leave voluntarily.

Read more from Sky News:
Pope urges Trump not to oust Venezuelan president by force

Government delays Chinese ‘super embassy’ decision

In July, English singer Jess Glynne also said she felt “sick” when her song from the viral Jet2 advert was used over footage of people in handcuffs being loaded on a plane.

Other artists have also previously hit out at Trump officials for using their music at political campaign events, including Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters, Celine Dion, Ozzy Osbourne and The Rolling Stones.

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Holly Willoughby fined after colliding with moped and injuring rider

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Holly Willoughby fined after colliding with moped and injuring rider

TV presenter Holly Willoughby has been fined in court after she admitted driving without due care and attention when her car collided with a moped, injuring the rider.

The star, 44, pleaded guilty by post to the charge at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday but did not attend the hearing.

Willoughby was fined £1,653 alongside £130 in costs and a £661 victim surcharge and given six points on her licence, the Metropolitan Police said.

According to court documents, the incident happened on 28 August as she was driving her Mini Cooper near her home in Richmond, southwest London.

Police were called to Church Road, Barnes, following reports of a collision.

The rider of the moped, a 43-year-old man, was taken to hospital. His injuries were assessed as neither life-threatening nor life-changing.

Read more from Sky News:
Gavin Plumb loses appeal
Willoughby tells of ‘tough’ year

The presenter is best known for fronting Dancing On Ice as well as ITV daytime show This Morning, which she left in October 2023.

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Entertainment

Sabrina Carpenter hits out at ‘evil and disgusting’ White House video featuring her song

Published

on

By

Sabrina Carpenter hits out at 'evil and disgusting' White House video featuring her song

Sabrina Carpenter has hit out at an “evil and disgusting” White House video of migrants being detained that uses one of her songs.

“Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda,” the pop star posted on X.

The White House used part of Carpenter‘s upbeat song Juno over pictures of immigration agents handcuffing, chasing and detaining people.

It was posted on social media on Monday and has been viewed 1.2 million times so far.

President Trump‘s policy of sending officers into communities to forcibly round up illegal immigrants has proved controversial, with protests and legal challenges ongoing.

Mr Trump promised the biggest deportation in US history, but some of those detained have been living and working in the US for decades and have no criminal record.

Carpenter is not the only star to express disgust over the administration’s use of their music.

More on Sabrina Carpenter

Olivia Rodrigo last month warned the White House not to “ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda” after All-American Bitch was used in a video urging undocumented migrants to leave voluntarily.

Read more from Sky News:
Pope urges Trump not to oust Venezuelan president by force

Government delays Chinese ‘super embassy’ decision

In July, English singer Jess Glynne also said she felt “sick” when her song from the viral Jet2 advert was used over footage of people in handcuffs being loaded on a plane.

Other artists have also previously hit out at Trump officials for using their music at political campaign events, including Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters, Celine Dion, Ozzy Osbourne and The Rolling Stones.

Continue Reading

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