Who is James Newman? Meet the UK's Eurovision 2020 entry who'll be singing My Last Breath

This year’s UK representative at Eurovision has been announced as James Newman, who will sing his song My Last Breath at the annual contest.

My Last Breath was debuted on BBC Radio 1 and 2 with fans seeming optimistic about our chances.

"It's such an honour to be representing the United Kingdom this year at Eurovision - I still can't quite believe it!" he said. "I'm also so proud to be taking My Last Breath as the song.

"I wrote it with some of my best friends, who are also amazingly talented songwriters in their own right. I knew it was 'the one' after first recording it, I just loved the simplicity and universal message of the song."

So who is singer-songwriter James Newman? And is he the right main for the job?

Find out all you need to know about this year’s UK Eurovision representative...

His brother is John Newman

James Newman comes from a talented family. His younger brother is singer John Newman, who has been nominated for three Brit Awards.

John is known for his hit singles Love Me Again and Feel the Love, a Rudimental track he provided vocals on.

He grew up in Yorkshire

John and James were born and raised in Settle, Yorkshire.

James went on to study popular music in Newcastle upon Tyne, and now resides in Crouch End, London.

My Last Breath is inspired by saturation diving

Speaking to the Evening Standard, Newman revealed his Eurovision song was inspired by divers who descend to the ocean's depths to fix oil rigs.

“A diver got stranded down there, but he got saved," said Newman.

"So we came up with the idea of what you’d do for someone you love if you were underwater in the middle of the sea: I’d give you my last breath.”

Newman revealed he wrote the song in three hours with his fellow songwriters Ed Drewett, Adam Argyle and Iain James on a creative retreat in the Scottish Highlands.

He’s a successful songwriter

While he’s a talented singer in his own right, James Newman’s songwriting credits are staggering.

He has written for some of the biggest pop stars in the UK, including Zayn, Jess Glynne, Jessie Ware, Little Mix and Rudimental.

As a co-writer of Rudimental’s major hit Waiting All Night, James Newman won a Brit when the song went on to win British Single of the Year.

With vocals by Ella Eyre, the number one single was written by Newman along with Rudimental and Jonny Harris.

And he’s been recognised by the Grammys

James Newman has also found success writing for US artists, contributing to two Grammy-nominated records.

He wrote for Kesha’s Rainbow, which was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album - Kesha's first Grammy nomination.

He also wrote for Toni Braxton’s Sex & Cigarettes, which was nominated for Best R&B Album.

Read more

Eurovision fans are feeling optimistic about the UK's 2020 chances

James Newman on Eurovision, representing the UK and writing an anthem

Listen now: The UK's 2020 Eurovision entry has been unveiled