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18
Dec 2023
Harrogate man to represent UK at Eurovision
A Harrogate-born pop star will represent the United Kingdom at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest next year.
Olly Alexander, frontman of UK-chart-topping band Years & Years, announced the news on the Strictly Come Dancing final on Saturday night.
The contest, which is being held in Malmö in Sweden, will mark the beginning of Olly’s solo career.
In a press release published by the BBC, he said:
Despite this being his first solo venture, Olly 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 achieving 6.5 billion global streams.
He has also worked with the likes of Sir Elton John, Kylie and Pet Shop Boys.
He added:
But the Harrogate-born star is not just a singer – he has also received prestigious recognition for his acting skills.
Olly starred in the Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin, which won best new drama at the National Television Awards.
He was also nominated for leading actor at the BAFTA Television Awards for the same programme.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, also said:
Olly’s Eurovision song, co-written by British producer Danny L Harle, has not yet been released.
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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