Fallen country star Billy Gillman auditions for The Voice

Former child star Billy Gillman has auditioned for the new season of TV talent show The Voice.

The singer became a country music phenomenon at the age of 11 in 2000 when he became the youngest person to land a top 40 hit in the U.S. charts. His career has since stalled and he's hoping a return to the limelight on The Voice will help him get back on track.

He tweeted the news on Monday (22Aug16) and told fans and followers he had auditioned for returning judges Adam Levine and Blake Shelton, and new girls Alicia Keys and Miley Cyrus.

"It's official and I can FINALLY LET IT OUT!" he wrote. "Love you all and follow this awesome JOURNEY @NBCTheVoice."

It's not yet known if Gillman made it past the audition rounds of the show, but his tweet suggests he did.

The singer hit headlines in 2014 when he came out as gay in an emotional video, revealing rumours about his sexuality had hampered his career as an adult.

"I've gotten letters from... people in the industry saying this will only lead you to better places, whether it be in this market or somewhere else," Gilman told Taste of Country. "I hope it will be in country, because literally I think I came out yodeling (sic) or something - it's just bred into me. Hopefully this will be a genre where I can say I'm home, because I certainly feel at home."

He's not the first child star to seek a career revival on the popular talent show - Curly Sue star Alisan Porter was crowned the season 10 winner of the singing competition in January (16).

Now 34, the mother-of-two, who battled alcoholism after child stardom faded in her 20s, gave series regular judge Christina Aguilera her first win.

And another former child star is a big part of the new season of the show - Full House star Candace Cameron Bure's 18-year-old daughter Natasha has also auditioned.