Drew Henry was crowned the 2026 karaoke champion at Cosy Joes in Newcastle city centre on Thursday night, after a packed bar watched the grand finale of the annual singing contest.
Judges had a tough choice among the finalists, with several strong performances on the night, before the panel's scores saw Drew take the title. The event, held at the Groat Market venue, took place on the same evening as the Mercury Prize ceremony at the Utilita Arena nearby.
Finalists and Winning Performance
Drew won with a rendition of the Michael Bublé version of "Feeling Good." Runner-up Lisa Todd impressed with a cover of "Pink Pony Club" by Chappell Roan, while third-placed Elena Larkin sang "Dakota" by Stereophonics.
The Most Entertaining act prize went to Macy Cheetham, who performed "All By Myself." Judges for the final included former Voice star Jeffri Ramli, Frisk radio presenters Andy and Steph, and North East hosting legend Goffy.
Contest Format and Mercury Prize Connection
The contest, which draws large crowds every year, saw singers compete across four separate Thursdays, with each heat leading up to the grand finale. Cosy Joes, a seven-day-a-week city centre bar, attracted many participants hoping to make it to the final stage.
Hours before the final, the bar was a talking point at the Mercurys, as ChronicleLive asked several nominees what their Cosy Joes karaoke song would be. JADE, known for "Angel Of My Dreams," chose Anastacia's "Left Outside Alone." Members of Newcastle jazz trio Knats, described as huge fans of the bar, picked Earth Wind & Fire's "After The Love Has Gone," Phil Collins' "Easy Lover," and another Earth Wind & Fire track, "Magic Mind."
