United Kingdom

Martin Lee passed away

Though it hurts to go away, it’s impossible to stay…. On September 29, Martin Lee passed away at age 77. Lee was one of the members of Brotherhood of Man, the group winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest. Martin Lee was a British singer and songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group Brotherhood of Man. He was born on November 26, 1949, in Surrey, England. Martin always had a love for music and started his career as a singer in the 1960s. In 1973, Martin joined Brotherhood of Man. The group became famous for their catchy pop songs. He was part of the group when they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with the song “Save Your Kisses for Me.” The song was a huge hit and reached number one in many countries. As a member of Brotherhood of Man, Martin performed in many countries and had several more hit songs. Some of their other famous songs include “Angelo” and “Figaro.” Martin not only sang in the group but also helped write many of their songs. The group quit in 1984. However, they made a restart in 1987 and kept on going until very recent. Martin Lee has a daughter from his first marriage. She was born in 1973. In late 1973, Sandra Stevens joined Brotherhood of Man. Soon after, she and Martin Lee started a relationship. Martin and Sandra got married in August 1979. They lived in Surrey.

Malmö Messages: A draw among the Big 5 and Sweden

The big five and Sweden had their second rehearsal today. However, there is more happening: the draw also took place to decide in which part of the show the participants will perform. There is a change happening: half of the countries will draw a ‘producers choice‘. They can be placed anywhere. United Kingdom He might have called it the most homosexual act ever. Olly Alexander has four dancers around him, who seem to be dancing around each other somewhat combatively. The men have bare torsos, except for Olly’s torn shirt. Whether it is indeed the most homosexual act ever or not? No idea, but not much is left to the imagination. He seems to be rising in the bookmakers’ ratings, where he is now in tenth place. Olly Alexander drew the first half of the final. Germany Little has changed since last time for Germany. The act was already so well-defined that there is little left to change. The singing is important in the German entry. But whether Isaak makes enough of an impression to break Germany’s negative streak remains to be seen. The bookmakers give him a 23rd place. Isaak drew in the first half of the final. Sweden The Swedes are number three in line to create a full music video of their performance. It is exactly the same performance as during Melodifestivalen. We see Marcus and Martinus everywhere and nowhere. This afternoon in the press center, someone enthusiastically told of having done five interviews with them. We already knew that Sweden will open the final. France Less is more, the French must have thought. Slimane stands alone on the stage in white clothing while singing his “Mon amour”. He stands, sits, and lies down while singing. The a cappella part makes a deep impression. The bookmakers currently predict just shy of a top-5 spot, placing him sixth. France will perform in the second half of the final. Spain With a lot of gold in the background, a red sofa, and the two members of Nebulossa in black clothing, the act is complete. The lyrics of “Zorra” caused a lot of controversy, but the Spanish audience enthusiastically roars along with the song. The bookmakers have no faith in it. They rank the song in 24th place. Nebulossa drew producers’ choice this afternoon. Italy Fortunately, not everything remains exactly the same as during the previous rehearsal. Angelina Mango has a different dress: a black one, with much fewer flowers on it. That makes the overall busy impression during the performance a bit less intense. “La Noia” is currently fourth with the bookmakers. Angelina Mango drew producers’ choice. As mentioned, except for Italy, there are few changes. The big five and Sweden will be heard and seen for the first time during the semifinals, so there are equal opportunities for everyone. We think: abolish the big five if they really want equal chances. But then, who are we…

Malmö Messages: The Big Five plus Sweden

We haven’t heard from the big five plus Sweden yet. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the host Sweden automatically qualify for the final. They had their rehearsal tonight. The United Kingdom was the first to rehearse. If you think you have ended up in the locker room of a boxing match; this is still the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Olly Alexander is wearing red pants and a white shirt. His hands are taped up. Around him are a number of dancers in red shorts and with bare chests. According to eurovision.tv, the camera moves in such a way that it seems as if the room is spinning. It could make you “Dizzy”. Isaak, representing Germany, appears to be in a very luxurious living room while singing his song “Always on the run”. We see a fire pit, lots of flames, and the cube coming down again. Isaak himself is dressed in black and is flanked by four backup singers; live singing matters here too. Marcus and Martinus are performing “Unforgettable” for Sweden. And as usual, the Swedes have the exact same act on stage as they did during Melodifestivalen. The twins are dressed in blue and black. On the LED screens behind them, and on the cube above them, many colors and patterns are visible. Occasionally, the title of the song also appears. The act is the same, but huge. The contestant for France, Slimane, is dressed in white during his “Mon amour”. He starts lying down and sings the first part of the song on his knees. Later, he stands behind the microphone and steps away from it to sing the last piece a cappella. The smoke machine does its job. The Spanish duo Nebulossa rehearsed next. Their song “Zorra” starts from the cube, which is now not hanging but has come all the way down. Mery is wearing pants with wide legs and a blouse with large puff sleeves. The red sofa, which Mery also was standing on during the national final, has come along to Malmö. There is smoke on the floor throughout the performance. Angelina Mango will perform for Italy in a red dress. On her arms and legs, we see some sort of plant images. The four dancers emerge from four large cubes to lift Angelina. She stands among them in front of a large throne made of branches. The whole scene is set against a backdrop of a sort of forest with bare trees. In short, there will be much to see during “La Noia.”

🇬🇧 Road to Malmö: United Kingdom

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: the United Kingdom. Olly Alexander Olly Alexander, born on July 15, 1990, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, has emerged as a leading voice in contemporary pop culture, celebrated for his musical talent, acting skills, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. As the charismatic frontman of Years & Years, Olly has guided the band to international success with hits that blend infectious melodies with deeply personal and socially conscious lyrics. His commitment to exploring and expressing queer themes through music has earned him a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Apart from music, Olly has made significant strides in acting. His compelling portrayal of a young man navigating the AIDS crisis in the 1980s in the critically acclaimed series “It’s a Sin” has been lauded for its emotional depth and authenticity. This role underscored his versatility as an artist and an advocate, using his platform to highlight important issues. In a career-defining move, Olly Alexander will represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song “Dizzy.” It’s a Sin “It’s a Sin” is a powerful British television drama series that premiered in 2021, created by Russell T Davies. Set during the 1980s and early 1990s in London, the series explores the lives of a group of gay men and their friends as they navigate the joy, freedom, and heartbreak of their youth amidst the emerging AIDS crisis. Through a compelling narrative and rich character development, “It’s a Sin” captures the ignorance, stigma, and fear surrounding AIDS at the time, while also celebrating love, friendship, and the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. The series has been critically acclaimed for its emotional depth, historical accuracy, and the performances of its cast, including a standout role by Olly Alexander. It’s a poignant reminder of a tragic period in history, offering both a tribute to those lost and a message of hope and solidarity. United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest It was in 1957 when the United Kingdom debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest. The song “All” by Patricia Bredin was, with 1:52, one of the shortest Eurovision songs ever. The United Kingdom won no less than 5 times: in 1967, Sandie Shaw brought the UK their first victory. Only two years later, it was Lulu who won. In 1976, “Save your kisses for me” by the Brotherhood of Man reached a first place, while Bucks Fizz did the job in 1981 with “Making Your Mind Up”. The last victory so far was for Katrina & The Waves back in 1997 with “Love Shine A Light”. The United Kingdom reached no less than 16 second places, the last time in 2022 with Sam Ryder‘s “Spaceman”. The Bookmakers The United Kingdom is one of the six countries, placed directly in the final. Currently, they predict a 10th place for the UK, which would be one of the better scores in the last few years. This is the song:

Jon Lilygreen

About Quick Facts NameJon Lilygreen Born04 August 1987 Nationality🇬🇧 British National SelectionEurovision 2010: Epilogi tis kypriakis symmetochis In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongLife Looks Better In Spring (& The Islanders) Biography Jon Lilygreen is a Welsh singer and songwriter. Jon Lilygreen originates from Bettws, in the port city of Newport, where he still lives today and completed his education at Coleg Gwent in singing, guitar, and composition. During his training, he wrote his own songs, which were published in 2009 on the school’s own Coleg Gwent Green Album. Subsequently, Lilygreen performed numerous gigs in his hometown, including the Summer Sessions (2009) hosted by the Riverfront Theatre. He is signed to the independent label Long Life Records. In early February 2010, Lilygreen, together with the band The Islanders, won the Cypriot national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. Their song “Life Looks Better in Spring” was written and composed by Cypriots Nasos Lambrianides and Melis Konstantinou. They reached the final with the song. In 2011, Jon teamed up with Jon Maguire and formed the duo Lilygreen & Maguire. Maguire was involved in music production and had been part of the pop punk band The Story So Far. Additionally, they played together in the band Editions. Their partnership was formed after they met at an open mic night at Kama Lounge in Newport, where Lilygreen was performing cover songs. During the 2012-2014 period, the duo supported Olly Murs and Westlife on their UK tours and embarked on an open-air busking tour across Wales, covering cities like Bangor, Wrexham, and Cardiff. In October 2012, they supported Scouting For Girls on tour. They announced a new single, “Dear Photograph,” for 2013, inspired by the blog of the same name, with plans to collaborate with Taylor Jones of DearPhotograph.com for the music video. Their debut studio album, “Have a Good Time All the Time,” was scheduled for release in November 2013, featuring a mix of new songs, previous singles, and B-Sides. The duo revealed their decision to part ways in January 2014, citing the challenges of the previous year. However, by June 2014, they announced a reunion and soon after released a new single, “Counting Cars.” Meanwhile, Lilygreen frequently teamed up with Scruffman (Pete Morgan, aka Bongo Peet) and Sian King for performances. In 2017, Lilygreen took part in the X-Factor UK, where he sang, among others, “Life looks better in spring”. After the X-Factor he released an album and single, both titled “Pictures of you”. In July 2019, a new EP called “Bottlekids” was released.In September 2019 Lilygreen started performing with a new band, The Brotherhood Wedding & Party Band. In October 2020, Jon teamed up with Bmotion to feature in the song “Alive”. Entries Life Looks Better In Spring (& The Islanders) Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsNasos Lambrianides MusicNasos LambrianidesMelis Konstantinou Backings– Results Semi Points: 67Position: 10Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 27Position: 21Running order: 5 https://youtu.be/ZGNtoR2hom4?si=5VylwyPTL_AGqBKL

The Islanders

About Quick Facts MembersJon GregorySylvia StrandKatherine SquireSean WattsCharalambos Kallonas Active2010 – 2011 Nationality🇬🇧 British (Jon, Katherine, Sean)🇳🇴 Norwegian (Sylvia)🇨🇾 Cypriot (Charalambos) National SelectionEurovision 2010: Epilogi tis kypriakis symmetochis In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongLife Looks Better In Spring (with Jon Lilygreen, 2010) Biography The Islanders were a British band. The band was built around John Gregory and Norwegian Sylvia Strand, who also formed a duo. They started their career in 2010, when they, along with Jon Lilygreen, represented Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Life looks better in spring”. Entries Life Looks Better In Spring (& Jon Lilygreen) Country🇨🇾 Cyprus Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsNasos Lambrianides MusicNasos LambrianidesMelis Konstantinou Backings– Results Semi Points: 67Position: 10Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 27Position: 21Running order: 5 https://youtu.be/ZGNtoR2hom4?si=plXLRIcCGLEB8BMf

🇬🇧 United Kingdom: This is Olly’s “Dizzy”

After a lot of teasers, the moment was finally there: Olly Alexander presented his Eurovision entry “Dizzy”. Olly will represent the United Kingdom in the contest and thus will be placed directly into the final. “Dizzy” was written and composed by Olly himself together with Daniel Harle. And this is the song:

🇨🇿 🇬🇧 🇮🇱 🇳🇱 🇸🇮 🇸🇪 Update after a turbulent week

It has been a turbulent week in the world of Eurovision. No less than four countries presented their participant, one of which also included a song. And as if that was not enough, the EBU also presented the theme art. Israel Let’s all start were it started. The 10th of december was the day of the next round in Israel. This was the result: Malki Lipsker, 95% Raz Levi, 53% Dor Shimon, 93% Yehuda Saado, 73% None of them took part before in Kokhav Nolad when it was the national final for Eurovision. However, Yehuda Saado won the contest in 2005, way before it became the Eurovision national final. The Netherlands Last Monday, it was announced that the Netherlands will be represented by Joost Klein. Joost is especially known for his international hit “Frieschenjung”. You can read everything about Joost here. The song will be presented in March. Slovenia Tuesday was the day of Slovenia. Rumour had it already, but now it was confirmed that Raiven will be the Slovenian representative. Raiven took part in the national selection EMA more than once. Read all about it here. Czechia Wednesday, the result of the Czech final was announced. Aiko is the happy one, her song “Pedestal” will be the Czech entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. You can also find out who Aiko is at her page on our site. Theme Art Thursday, the theme art was published. The theme art makes it possible to have a consistent experience regardless of platform or screen size. Also good to know: the allocation draw, in which it will be decided which country will perform in which semifinal, will be held on January 30. United Kingdom Surprise, surprise, Saturday evening Olly Alexander suddenly announced that he will be the 2024 UK representant. The song will be announced later, in 2024. But until then, you can find all the information about Olly here.

Olly Alexander

©EBU/Corinne Cumming About Quick Facts NameOliver Alexander Thornton Born15 July 1990 Nationality🇬🇧 British National SelectionInternal selection 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongDizzy (2024) Biography Olly Alexander, born Oliver Alexander Thornton on July 15, 1990, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, is a multifaceted artist known for his work as a musician, singer-songwriter, actor, and LGBTQ advocate. His journey in the entertainment industry is marked by notable achievements in both music and acting. Alexander is best known as the lead vocalist of the synth-pop band Years & Years, which he joined in 2010. His entry into the band was somewhat serendipitous; he was overheard singing in the shower by band member Mikey Goldsworthy, who was impressed by his voice. Years & Years achieved significant success with their music, which is a blend of electropop, R&B, and 1990s house elements. Their debut single “I Wish I Knew” was released in 2012, and they gained further attention with the release of their second single “Traps” in 2013. The band’s most successful single, “King,” topped the UK Single Chart in March 2015, and their debut album, “Communion,” released in July 2015, entered the UK Albums Chart at number one. Their second studio album, “Palo Santo,” was released in 2018. In March 2021, Years & Years became the solo project of Olly Alexander. Alexander’s acting career is equally impressive. He made his acting debut in the 2008 film “Summerhill” and appeared in the British-French-Australian biographical fiction romantic drama “Bright Star” in 2009. He has worked in various films, television series, and theatre plays, including notable roles in “The Dish & the Spoon” (2010), “Peter and Alice” (2013), and the musical drama “God Help the Girl” (2014). In 2021, Alexander starred in the critically acclaimed Channel 4 and HBO Max drama “It’s a Sin,” which depicts gay life in the 1980s and early 1990s during the onset of HIV/AIDS. His performance in the show was highly praised and sparked discussions about a potential BAFTA nomination. Alexander is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights, safer sex, and HIV screening. He has been open about his struggles with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, which he has experienced since the age of 13. Alexander came out to his mother at the age of 20 and has been vocal about his experiences as a gay man in the entertainment industry. He was involved in a high-profile relationship with Neil Amin-Smith, a violinist from Clean Bandit, though they separated in 2015. In November 2020, he won the LGBT Celebrity of the Year award at the British LGBT Awards. He has also been recognized by Queerty, being named among the 50 heroes “leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people” in June 2020. In late 2023, it was announced that Olly Alexander was going to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. On the 1st of March, 2024, his song “Dizzy” was presented. He reached an 18th place in the Grand Final of the contest. Entries Dizzy Country🇬🇧 Country Year2024 LanguageEnglish LyricsOlly AlexanderDaniel Harle MusicOlly AlexanderDaniel Harle BackingsAlex BrownEdd ArnoldHarrison ClaxtonRaymond Wade Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 46Position: 18Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/q0_FdJqyQW0?si=UVo-NEuDqGSpOZud

Olly Alexander represents the UK

Tonight, the BBC announced that Olly Alexander will represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. It was said during the Grand final of Strictly Come Dance. Olly Alexander, born Oliver Alexander Thornton on July 15, 1990, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, is a celebrated British musician, actor, and LGBTQ advocate. He rose to fame as the lead singer of the synth-pop band Years & Years, which he joined in 2010. The band achieved significant success with hits like “King” and albums such as “Communion” (2015) and “Palo Santo” (2018). Their music, a blend of electropop and R&B, has topped charts and resonated with fans worldwide. In addition to his musical achievements, Alexander has also made a mark in acting. He debuted in the film “Summerhill” in 2008 and gained further recognition with roles in “Bright Star” (2009) and “God Help the Girl” (2014). His portrayal in the 2021 drama series “It’s a Sin” was critically acclaimed, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Beyond entertainment, Alexander is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and mental health awareness. He has openly discussed his experiences with depression and anxiety, and his activism extends to promoting safer sex and HIV screening. The song Olly will sing will be presented in 2024. The United Kingdom will be automatically added to the final. This is Years and Years’ biggest hit, “King”, from 2015: And this is a more recent one: