Olly Alexander has confirmed that he will represent the UK at next year's Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö in Sweden.
“I’ve loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I’m beyond excited to be taking part next year", he said this weekend. "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!"
Rumours began circulating last month that talks were underway about Alexander representing the UK at Eurovision 2024. His involvement was then confirmed during BBC One’s 'Strictly Come Dancing' on Saturday evening.
The Eurovision gig coincides with Alexander also announcing that he will now perform under his own name rather than as Years & Years. That, of course, was originally the name of Alexander's band, but became a solo project in 2021. The three Years & Years albums, including those released when the outfit was a trio, are now listed on Spotify as being by Olly Alexander (Years & Years).
His Eurovision statement continued: "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!”
Confirming Alexander's Eurovision appointment for the BBC, its Head Of Entertainment Kalpna Patel-Knight added: “To have an artist of Olly Alexander’s calibre representing the UK in Malmö in 2024 is testament to just how much the BBC wants to keep momentum of Eurovision riding high since the UK had the honour of hosting the contest on behalf of Ukraine in Liverpool earlier this year”.
“Olly is the perfect ambassador for the UK”, she went on, “as both an immensely talented and world renowned artist and passionate fan of the competition".
But what will Alexander be singing in Malmö? A song co-written with Danny L Harle which, we are told, will "be revealed in due course".
