A Harrogate-born pop star flying the flag for the UK at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has today released his entry.
Olly Alexander, frontman of UK-chart-topping band Years & Years, announced the news that he would represent the UK on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in December.
The contest, which will be held in Malmö in Sweden, will mark the beginning of Olly’s solo career. Now, with just over two months until the competition, he has released the UK’s Eurovision entry song Dizzy to the public.
He said the song was inspired by 1980s artists including Erasure, Adamski and the Pet Shop Boys, adding:
“I wrote the song last summer with Danny L Harle, we started off with the word ‘Dizzy’ because it just popped into my head and I liked it.
“I was thinking about fun things that could make you dizzy and I remember saying “dizzy from your kisses”, so the song is about feeling such an intense swell of emotion for someone they totally turn your world upside down and inside out.”
The music video, which was directed by Colin Solal Cardo, was also released this morning and is already trending on YouTube.
Olly took to social media to tease the release of Dizzy, where he wrote:
“I’m so proud of this song and video, I can’t wait to get going with this new chapter honestly, I’m so excited.”
Despite the competition, which is marking its 68th anniversary this year, being Olly’s first solo venture, the 33-year-old is no stranger to global success.
Since 2015, Years and Years have scored two number one UK albums, 10 UK top 40 singles and, most recently, were awarded the BRIT Billion Award after reaching 6.5 billion global streams.
He has worked with the likes of Sir Elton John, Kylie and the Pet Shop Boys, and also been recognised for his acting skills.
He starred in the Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin, which won best new drama at the National Television Awards and was nominated for leading actor at the BAFTA Television Awards for the same programme.
Olly even has his own figure in Madame Tussauds in London.
All three live Eurovision programmes – including two semi-finals and the final – will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
They will be held on May 7, 9 and 11, 2024.
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