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:
“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.”
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:
“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.”
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:
“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 as both an immensely talented and world-renowned artist and passionate fan of the competition.”
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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Children’s presenter George Webster to sign books on return to Washburn
Children’s television presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant George Webster is to return to a heritage centre near Harrogate where he used to volunteer.
George volunteered as a teenager at Washburn Heritage Centre before rising to fame and becoming the first ever CBeebies presenter with Down’s syndrome.
He will return for a question and answer session and sign copies of his new autobiography ‘This is Me!’.
The picture book aims to teach children that “each one of us is different, just like pebbles at the seaside”.
George will talk about growing up and his rapid rise to success.
He spoke about Down’s syndrome in a video for BBC Bitesize in 2021. He also competed in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, and became an ambassador for the learning disability charity Mencap.
George volunteered at the centre when he was at school.
Washburn Heritage Centre was established in 2011 following an extension to Fewston Church and is used as a hub to promote the Washburn Valley.
It is run by volunteers who host frequent workshops, courses and talks, as well as a tea room on weekends.
The event will take place on Saturday, September 23, from 2pm – 4pm.
Children and adults are welcome and will be able to receive signed copies of George’s book.
Tickets start from £8.
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