One of the world’s most pioneering and award-winning musical superstars, Olly Alexander, will represent the United Kingdom at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, in May 2024.
Olly revealed the news during the Grand Final of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday 16 December to a delighted studio audience and to the millions of viewers watching at home.
As he embarks on the first release under his own name, Olly Alexander remains one of the world’s most trailblazing modern pop stars. Across three hugely successful albums to date, the singer, actor and fashion icon has scored 2 #1 UK albums, 10 UK Top 40 singles and was recently awarded the BRIT Billion Award (with 6.5 billion streams globally). With Years & Years evolving into a solo project and, in 2024, a brand new solo era, Olly has become a once-in-a-generation voice: the Russell T Davies show ‘It’s A Sin’ won Best New Drama at the National Television Awards, with Olly also nominated for Leading Actor at the 2022 BAFTA Television Awards.
Having headlined stadiums and festivals around the world, not to mention performing with Sir Elton John, Kylie and the Pet Shop Boys, Olly Alexander’s iconic prestige has recently immortalised him at Madame Tussauds in London – the best home for a pop star who helped replace British culture and now represents the UK on the Eurovision stage.
Olly Alexander says: “I’ve enjoyed watching Eurovision since I was a kid and I’m beyond excited to be part of the event next year. When I was a kid, I looked forward to this incredible occasion of unbridled joy, this wonderfully chaotic combination. of musical styles, theatrical performances, sincere emotion and humor. I really can’t believe that I’m going to be part of such a special legacy and flying the UK flag in the gayest way possible, it’s going to be an honour!I’ve been looking to do this for a long time and now is the right time to start releasing music under my own name. I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got and give everyone a perfect and unforgettable performance! »
Ben Mortimer, president of Polydor Records, said: “Polydor, as the British home of ABBA and Loreen, has a deep connection to Sweden and Eurovision. And we also have a deep connection to the pioneering cultural force that is Olly Alexander, who we’ve been racing with for nearly a decade. He has incredible skill and we are confident that he will make a massive impact in the UK at this year’s competition. We are proud to help you in your quest for good fortune at Eurovision. “
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC says: “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.”
Suzy Lamb, General Manager of Entertainment
All three live Eurovision 2024 programmes – both Semi Finals and the Grand Final – will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 7, 9 and 11 May 2024.
Olly’s British Eurovision song, co-written with Danny L Harle, is due to come.
The cover of the BBC Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is produced by BBC Studios Entertainment, commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC’s Director of Entertainment. Executive producers are Andrew Cartmell and Lee Smithhurst. BBC Studios Entertainment North director is Pete Ogden. and Suzy Lamb is Managing Director of Entertainment and Music at BBC Studios. The BBC’s editor-in-chief is Katie Taylor.
Fifth Grade
The page will reload automatically. You may want to recharge if construction takes longer than expected.
Select a theme and theme mode and click “Load theme” to load in your theme combination.