Yahoo News When is Eurovision 2024 and who is the UK's entry Olly Alexander?
The Years & Years singer is representing us at 2024's contest with his track Dizzy
Olly Alexander is preparing to representing the UK at Eurovision 2024.
The singer and actor made the announcement during the Strictly Come Dancing final in December 2023, saying: "I love Eurovision so much, it's a dream come true. I'm just so, so excited."
Alexander's superstar signing could see a turnaround in the UK's fortunes at the event, but what else do we know so far about the Eurovision Song Contest 2024?
Where and when is Eurovision 2024 taking place?
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024's grand final is set to take place on 11 May in Malmö, Sweden, with the semi-finals on 7 and 9 May. However, although as the UK pre-qualifies as one of the "Big Five", we won't be taking part in the semis.
Liverpool hosted Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine, whose Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 contest. However, with the ongoing war in Ukraine, the UK was a stand-in host as Sam Ryder had placed second.
Who is representing the UK at Eurovision 2024?
Olly Alexander is representing the UK at Eurovision 2024 with his song Dizzy. He wrote the track with producer Danny L Harle, who has worked with the likes of Dua Lipa, Liam Gallagher and Charli XCX.
Alexander is best known for being the lead singer of Years & Years, but has recently launched a solo career and also starred in the award-winning Russell T. Davies drama about the AIDS epidemic, It's A Sin.
Although many other countries enter famous artists in the competition, in recent years UK acts have largely been unknown artists.
Alexander 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! 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!"
Polydor Records president Ben Mortimer threw his support behind Alexander, calling him "an incredible talent who we are convinced will make a huge impact for the UK in this year’s competition".
Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, added: "Olly is the perfect ambassador for the UK as both an immensely talented and world renowned artist and passionate fan of the competition."
Who was the UK act at Eurovision 2023?
When Eurovision arrived in Liverpool in 2023, fans were hopeful that the UK could improve on Sam Ryder's second place success from 2022 and would win favour as hosts.
But Mae Muller did not live up to expectations, placing second last with I Wrote A Song in the contest that was won by Sweden's Loreen.
She did make a slight improvement on the UK's 2021 entrant, James Newman, who placed last.
When was the last time the UK won Eurovision?
Sam Ryder's 2022 effort with Space Man which saw him into second place has been by far the UK's biggest success of recent decades.
The last time the UK won the contest was in 1997, when Katrina and The Waves came first with Love Shine A Light.
Other notable UK winners from the past have included Sandie Shaw, Lulu, Brotherhood of Man and Bucks Fizz.
Read more:
Eurovision: UK came second last, but host city is a winner in money stakes (Deadline, 3 min read)
Olly Alexander says fans should expect 'drama' from his Eurovision entry (PA Media, 3 min read)
Discover the UK's most successful Eurovision Song Contest entries (The Northern Echo, 2 min read)
