Former NSW Central West resident and ex-Home and Away star Mark Furze feels "really fulfilled" to have competed in Nine Network's singing competition The Voice Australia.
After spending 10 years in the United States pursuing his music and acting career, Mr Furze decided to move back to Sydney and finished off as a semi-finalist in the competition.
"It was a really great time living overseas, I had a few roles in a couple of movies but it was time to move back home," he said.
"My wife and I decided to move back last year because we were missing our family and luckily the opportunity turned up to audition for The Voice."
Mr Furze said he was a little apprehensive to go ahead with the auditions but is "stoked" that he went through with it.
"I feel really fulfilled to have been able to go through to the semi-finals," he said.
"I have made a lot of great friends on the show and being on the show has been a great platform for people to see me as a musician.
"My dad sent a letter he received from Mayor Reg Kidd congratulating me for my time on the show and I thought that was cool to still represent my town."
According to Mr Furze, his performances on the show include his blind audition song Blow by Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Chris Stapleton and Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz.
He added during the blind auditions and the battle, they had a live audience but towards the semi-finals they didn't people in the studio because of COVID-19.
"It was a completely different atmosphere performing for just the coaches, it felt more like a rehearsal," Mr Furze said.
During his time on the show, he said his coach Kelly Rowland and the other coaches of Guy Sebastian, Boy George and Delta Goodrem were really supportive.
"It was a humbling and ego boosting experience to be able to get some tips and advice because they have been working professionally for such a long time," Mr Furze said.
"The best advice Kelly gave me was to just relax, be measured and breathe so I don't get so tight when I perform on stage."
Mr Furze added there were many people who entered the Voice who were incredibly talented.
"Everyone kept saying that this was a strong year for the contenders," he said.
"But I do believe that Chris Sebastian is well deserving and a worthy winner for this year.
"I have seen first hand how hard he works on his voice and he is a fantastic guy."
As he finished his time with the Voice, Mr Furze said he is trying working out what to do next.
"I have been working on some original music which should be released soon and I have been rehearsing with my band in the hopes of performing live once COVID subsides," he said.
"I have also been working on my podcast Deep 'n' Meaningfuls with Furzey and I'm planning on getting some of my friends from the Voice to join me on a podcast show."
Mr Furze said he will be returning back to back to his home town of Orange, NSW, "pretty soon".
"Now that I'm back in the country, I have plans to regularly visit my mum and dad and to also recharge," he said.
"Orange keeps expanding and growing and there's always something new to do and visit, it's such a beautiful town."
