The Voice SA winner Richard Stirton: I'm on top of the world

Winner Richard Stirton says he can hardly believe that he has become the first ever winner of The Voice SA.

Richard was crowned the winner of the popular TV singing competition on Sunday night and speaking to TMG Entertainment on Monday morning, he says it still hasn't hit him.

"I am on top of the world right now. Really, I'm so happy. I can't believe it. I was listening to news bulletins talking about me this morning and I really never thought I would hear my name and 'The Voice SA winner' in the same sentence."

Richard, who beat out Gavin Edwards in the finale, says that he has come to regard Gavin as a good friend and says he would have been just as happy even if Gavin had won.

"He's the nicest guy and we've had so much fun together. People tend to put us against each other but we are actually really close. We had so many great moments together and it was so much fun being in the same space as him," Richard says. 

Richard, who was selected by Parlotones frontman Kahn Morbee to join Team Khan earlier in the season says that he has learnt so much from his mentor and can't wait to tour with Kahn on an upcoming tour.

• Voting glitch tarnishes first The Voice SA winThe finale of the very first season of The Voice SA has been marred by yet another voting glitch on the popular talent search competition. 

"He's such a nice guy. He's down-to-earth and has been such an amazing coach. The thing about him is that he's so direct. I am in so many new environments and he's helped me with little things to help me cope more and to get the most out of my voice. One of the biggest things he taught me was that I must use my skills to put together a tasteful performance for my audience," Richard says.

Richard reveals that his first single of original material should be released in two weeks time, but for now he's just soaking it all in.

• The Voice SA top local iTunes charts!In less than 48 hours after the release of the first The Voice SA album, as well as the singles of the top 13 contestants, the talent on the singing competition has already managed to dominate the South African iTunes charts, ranking first on both the album and the singles charts! 

"I just want to say thank you to all my fans for all the votes, all the (social media) posts and all the downloads. You have carried me through this and I can't wait to continue on this journey with you into the future, "Richards says.