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Niall Horan react to winning his third season of The VoiceCredit: NBC

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Niall hugs Aiden Ross after the coach-contestant pair wins The VoiceCredit: NBC
As soon as host Carson Daly announced that Aiden, 20 was this season’s champ, the elation on Niall’s face was impossible to miss.

He celebrated by putting both of his arms up to the sky, flashing a huge smile while confetti rained down from the ceiling.

It was Niall’s off-camera reaction, however, that was even more heartwrenching following the tough year he had endured.

According to an insider present at the finale, Niall, 32, broke down and was “far more emotional” after cameras stopped rolling.

“After Niall’s win, he was teary and looked extremely happy. He wiped away tears at several points and it looked like he got a big, heartfelt hug and a big congrats from Reba.

“At one point, Niall approached Aiden when cameras were already shut down and told him with tears in his eyes that this past year has been really hard for him.

“He told Aiden that working with him and now winning this show with him has been the highlight of a darker year.

“You could see it on his face how much Niall needed this positive experience and how much the win meant to him,” the source claimed.

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The Voice season 28 top to, Ralph Edwards and Aiden RossCredit: NBC
While Niall did not elaborate on specifics of his tough time, this year marks the first season he has filmed the show since the passing of his One Direction bandmate and close friend, Liam Payne.

Texas singer, Aiden, was announced as the season 28 winner against runner-up, Ralph Edwards from Team Snoop Dogg.

Aiden was widely considered the frontrunner of the bunch due to his impressive vocal talents, charismatic personality, and handsome look.

The other finalists that impressed this season were Aubrey Nicole, Jazz McKenzie, Max Chambers, and Team Niall’s DEK of Hearts.

To add to the difficult year he has had, Niall also revealed he has been battling an illness that prevented him from performing during the finale.

In part one of the two-night finale on Monday night, Niall announced he wouldn’t be taking the stage alongside the other finalists after having a “rough couple of weeks.”

Host Carson first mentioned that Niall was “really under the weather” and shared earlier concerns that he wouldn’t be present for the live show.

The singer, however, said he was feeling “a little bit better,” but his doctors ordered him to vocal rest, meaning he had to sit out on his scheduled performance.

Niall was expected to sing with Dek of Hearts and Aiden, but instead they took the stage with fellow coach, Reba McEntire.

Reba applauded the Slow Hands singer for taking some much-needed rest to aid his recovery.

“I’m very proud of you, Niall, for making sure you take care of yourself because we want you around with your beautiful voice for many years to come,” the country star sweetly said on Monday’s episode.

Fans reacted to Niall not being able to perform online, with many expressing their disappointment that he wouldn’t be singing as he had in past finales.

“I am so crushed that Niall is on vocal rest and won’t sing at all. The finale just isn’t the same,” one person wrote on X.

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“So sorry that Niall has been sick and won’t be able to sing. Feel better soon Niall!!” another commented.

“This finale is such a letdown without Niall performing,” a third complained.

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Carson Daly hosts The Voice with coaches Snoop Dogg, Niall Horan, Reba McEntire, and Michael BubleCredit: NBC

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Aiden Ross celebrates his season 28 winCredit: NBC

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Niall Horan coaches at The Voice finale on Tuesday nightCredit: NBC