Olly Alexander reveals his Eurovision show will be a ‘wild ride’ and says song won’t be a ballad – after surprise announcement he’ll represent the UK

Olly Alexander has promised that his Eurovision show will be a ‘wild ride’ as he gave the first details of his plans to represent the UK at the music competition next year.

The Years & Years frontman, 33, made the announcement during Saturday’s live final of Strictly Come Dancing as the audience cheered along. 

He will represent the UK in Sweden at the next contest and has promised to ‘fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible’.

He has now told how he won’t be singing a ballad and that his song will be electronic and ‘something you can dance to’. 

He told The BBC after the official announcement: ‘I’m scared, but I’m excited. I’ve wanted to do this for a really, really long time. It’s all a bit of a blur.

Olly Alexander has promised that his Eurovision show will be a ‘wild ride’ as he gave the first details of his plans to represent the UK at the music competition next year

The Years & Years frontman, 33, made the announcement during Saturday’s live final of Strictly Come Dancing as the audience cheered along

‘I mean, it wasn’t gonna be a ballad. Or maybe it could have been a ballad. I love a ballad. Am I saying too much now? It’s not a ballad.

‘I wrote the song with Danny Harle, and it’ll be coming next year. And it’s really good. 

‘That’s definitely the vibe. It’s gonna be electronic, something you can dance to. But yeah, I can’t say much more than that.’

He added that he can’t wait to arrive in Sweden next year to meet all the fans and other taking part, saying: ‘It’s going to be the wildest experience of my life!’ 

Olly made the announcement on Saturday’s live final of Strictly Come Dancing as the audience cheered along. 

After storming through the gold curtain to announce the voting terms and conditions for the dancing show’s final, Olly then shared his news as host Claudia Winkleman said: ‘On behalf of everyone we are so lucky to have you. 

‘I know everything’s a secret but can you tell us anything?’ 

Olly replied: ‘I’m planning it now, it’s going to be spectacular. I love Eurovision, I’m so so so excited, it’s going to be great.’

He has now told how he won’t be singing a ballad and that his song will be electronic and ‘something you can dance to’

After storming through the gold curtain to announce the voting terms and conditions for the dancing show’s final, Olly then shared his news

He will represent the UK in Swede n at the next contest and has promised to ‘fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible’

In a statement, Olly added: ‘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.’

Olly, who identifies as non-binary and uses he/him pronouns, added: ‘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! 

‘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!’

BBC bosses are no doubt hoping to turn the UK’s fortunes after Mae Muller failed to impress audiences earlier this year at the contest in Liverpool where she finished second from last. 

According to The Sun Olly has pitched a catchy song penned by producer Danny L Harle, the mastermind behind Dua Lipa’s latest hit Houdini. 

A source told the publication: ‘It’s a dream come true for Olly. Things aren’t quite locked in but he is a favourite with bosses.

‘Olly has said for ages he wants to have a crack at it — and after teaming up with Danny for the song he thinks we have a great shot.

Adding: ‘He is aware people say that no established act in their right mind would go on the show due to the UK’s track record but as far as he is concerned that’s just ­snobbery.’

As well as being topping the charts with Years & Years Olly has also established himself as an actor and led the cast of Channel 4’s award-winning drama It’s A Sin.

The news comes after it was reported earlier this year that the BBC were lining up Sophie Ellis-Bextor to be UK’s next entry.

Sophie, 44, is an established artist with hits such as Murder On The Dancefloor, and she reached a new audience during lockdown with her successful Kitchen Disco videos, which landed her a Radio 2 show of the same name.

The mother of five is to be sounded out over taking part in next year’s show, as BBC bosses are set to regain full control of the selection process for the UK’s entry.

In 2021, they handed the role to an external company in a bid to reverse the poor performance of Britain’s entrants.

One music industry source told The Mail at the time: ‘At the moment there is only one artist on the BBC’s list for Eurovision 2024, and they don’t intend to add to it. 

‘Sophie Ellis-Bextor is seen as the ideal fit for the contest – she’s a great singer and performer, and she is already known to audiences, both straight and gay, across Europe. The criticism the BBC has received over the decision to pick Mae Muller this year has been quite savage.’

Mae was picked to perform in last weekend’s Eurovision final by global management company TaP Music, who also chose 2022 entrant Sam Ryder, who finished second.

BBC bosses are no doubt hoping to turn the UK’s fortunes after Mae Muller failed to impress audiences earlier this year at the contest in Liverpool where she finished second from last 

Olly said: ‘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!’ 

Doubts over the singer had been growing before the final, with her voice criticised as not being strong enough to carry the track she performed, I Wrote A Song. Her rehearsal was littered with errors and hit by sound issues.

A series of old quotes, in which she suggested she hated the UK, alienated some.

There was also controversy when she said that Boris Johnson shouldn’t have had a hospital bed when he was struck down with Covid.

It also emerged that she had applied for a German passport, which she said she wanted to help her cut down on extra paperwork when performing in the EU.

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