Thanks for the comments man. I agree, it's very very average sounding, I'll have another good listens to the song to see if I can spot what you are saying with regard to timings.
I know exactly the point where you mean with the tension, I think the reason it sounds forced is because I can't seem to sing it without my larynx rising up almost into my mouth, so I feel like I have to kind of force to keep it down somewhat, I'll work on that, any exercises that might help that you can suggest?
With regard to a teacher, I'm going to be moving from Northern Ireland to England in the next month or two, so for the moment I'm just doing what I can, once I get across there I'll have a look for a teacher.