A FORMER postman is aiming to deliver the full package in a televised singing contest.

Viewers can tune in tonight to see if Mario Wolfgang of Hove puts in a first-class performance for the celebrity judges of The Voice.

Confronted by superstar coaches Boy George, will.i.am, Paloma Faith and Ricky Wilson, Mario needs the stamp of approval from one of them to get a second round in the bag on the BBC One show.

Speaking from Switzerland while on a break from his musical schedule, Mario told The Argus: "It's really surreal. I try not to get too wrapped up in it."

Having lived in Lansdowne Street in Hove and worked as a postman up until the end of last year, Mario previously graduated from the Brighton Institute of Modern Music. He studied alongside singers James Bay and Tom Odell and hopes to follow in their footsteps.

Mario was spotted while performing as part of a residency outside the Gemini bar on Brighton beach last year.

A talent scout from The Voice saw him performing and told him to come along to auditions.

The 26-year-old said: "It was really exciting to be spotted after trying to earn your stripes grafting away. It was nice to get noticed.

"It was really overwhelming and full-speed-ahead to go from playing locally in Brighton to having all these people around me. It's a sudden change."

His work as a postman is on hiatus while he works out what the future holds.

He said: "I am just grateful for the opportunity to get on the show. It has opened a lot of doors."

Originally from Northampton, Mario's mother Divinia, 55, died nine months ago after battling motor neurone disease.

As well as raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Mario has been using his mother's as the motivation to continue with his music.

He said: "Her impact on my music is there for life. I have to embrace what has happened and want it even more. It's a driving force.

"She always told me do what makes you happy. She always played records when I was younger."

Mario is finishing off his album at the moment, which combines an electronic pop element alongside organic instrumentation.

He said: "I want to write as much music as possible. It was nice for The Voice to show that raw acoustic angle in me.

"I just want to make music for a living and for people to enjoy it. I would never do it for the good life or the celebrity culture."

Mario performs How Deep Is Your Love by The Bee Gees on The Voice tonight (Saturday) on BBC One from 7.15pm.

For more on Mario, visit facebook.com/mariowolfgangmusic.