Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander has confirmed he will represent the UK at next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden.
The singer, 33, made the announcement during Saturday’s live final of Strictly Come Dancing as the audience cheered along.
After storming through the gold curtain to announce the voting terms and conditions for the dancing show’s final, Olly then shared his news as Claudia said: ‘On behalf of everyone we are so lucky to have you.
‘I know everything’s a secret but can you tell us anything?’
Olly replied: ‘I’m planning it now, it’s going to be spectacular. I love Eurovision, I’m so so so excited, it’s going to be great.’
Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander has confirmed he will represent the UK at next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden .
In a statement, Olly added: ‘I’ve loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I’m beyond excited to be taking part next year.
‘As a young boy I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion and humour.
‘I really can’t believe I’m going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour!
‘I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and it feels like the right moment to start releasing music under my own name.
‘I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!’
BBC bosses are no doubt hoping to turn the UK’s fortunes after Mae Muller failed to impress audiences earlier this year at the contest in Liverpool where she finished second from last.
According to The Sun Olly has pitched a catchy song penned by producer Danny L Harle, the mastermind behind Dua Lipa’s latest hit Houdini.
A source told the publication: ‘It’s a dream come true for Olly. Things aren’t quite locked in but he is a favourite with bosses.
‘Olly has said for ages he wants to have a crack at it — and after teaming up with Danny for the song he thinks we have a great shot.
Adding: ‘He is aware people say that no established act in their right mind would go on the show due to the UK’s track record but as far as he is concerned that’s just snobbery.’
As well as being topping the charts with Years & Years Olly has also established himself as an actor and led the cast of Channel 4’s award-winning drama It’s A Sin.
The news comes after it was reported earlier this year that the BBC were lining up Sophie Ellis-Bextor to be UK’s next entry.
Sophie, 44, is an established artist with hits such as Murder On The Dancefloor, and she reached a new audience during lockdown with her successful Kitchen Disco videos, which landed her a Radio 2 show of the same name.
The mother of five is to be sounded out over taking part in next year’s show, as BBC bosses are set to regain full control of the selection process for the UK’s entry.
In 2021, they handed the role to an external company in a bid to reverse the poor performance of Britain’s entrants.
Onto a winner: Olly is said to have pitched a catchy song penned by Danny L Harle, the mastermind behind Dua Lipa’s latest hit Houdini
Gagging: The singer is said to be a huge fan of the competition and ‘desperate’ to be Britain’s offical 2024 entry
Gutted: BBC bosses are no doubt hoping to turn the UK’s fortunes after Mae Muller failed to impress audiences earlier this year at the contest in Liverpool where she finished second from last
High hopes: Super producer Danny (pictured in 2015) co-penned the track and is also working on Dua Lipa’s new album
One music industry source told The Mail at the time: ‘At the moment there is only one artist on the BBC’s list for Eurovision 2024, and they don’t intend to add to it.
‘Sophie Ellis-Bextor is seen as the ideal fit for the contest – she’s a great singer and performer, and she is already known to audiences, both straight and gay, across Europe. The criticism the BBC has received over the decision to pick Mae Muller this year has been quite savage.’
Mae was picked to perform in last weekend’s Eurovision final by global management company TaP Music, who also chose 2022 entrant Sam Ryder, who finished second.
Doubts over the singer had been growing before the final, with her voice criticised as not being strong enough to carry the track she performed, I Wrote A Song. Her rehearsal was littered with errors and hit by sound issues.
A series of old quotes, in which she suggested she hated the UK, alienated some.
There was also controversy when she said that Boris Johnson shouldn’t have had a hospital bed when he was struck down with Covid.
It also emerged that she had applied for a German passport, which she said she wanted to help her cut down on extra paperwork when performing in the EU.
Choices: The news comes after it was reporter earlier this year that the BBC were lining up Sophie Ellis-Bextor to be UK’s next entry
