Olly Alexander breaks down in tears over 2024 Eurovision Song Contest controversy

Olly Alexander was moved to tears as he addressed the controversy surrounding the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.

The singer defended his participation in the upcoming competition, set to take place in Sweden this month. The singing contest has been shrouded in a toxic atmosphere due to Israel's involvement amidst its ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Last October, Hamas - a terrorist group based in the Gaza Strip - launched an attack on Israel, reports the Mirror. This resulted in the brutal killing of over 1,000 civilians and hundreds more being abducted and taken to Gaza.

Israel retaliated by bombing cities and deploying ground forces to dismantle the Hamas armies and rescue the remaining hostages. This response has sparked global concern as Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire have seen their lives, homes and families devastated.

Meanwhile, the international community has struggled to deliver relief aid to the war-ravaged Middle Eastern country. Hamas operatives have been intercepting aid trucks to pilfer supplies for themselves, while Israeli forces have faced accusations of blocking aid relief.

Eurovision fans are calling for Israel to be banned from participating in the 2024 contest due to the ongoing conflict with Palestine.

Many argue that Israel's response to the attacks is disproportionate and that they should not be allowed to compete in the contest. Olly Alexander, who is representing the UK in the upcoming contest, has been caught up in the backlash.

Fans have accused him of turning a blind eye to the conflict and have called for him to withdraw from the competition. Alexander has admitted that the controversy has taken a toll on him and that he has struggled to cope with the pressure.

He told The Times: "Yes, I struggled that day. I was holed up in a room trying not to have a breakdown. Normally, you get on stage and turn it on, but I felt really unable to do that. It was tough... I just could not get it together and then I felt ashamed of myself and embarrassed."

He was then asked if he feared his experience in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest was being "tarred" by the furore, and it is at this moment he is reported to have broken down in tears.

He told the publication: "Obviously there are a lot of things I wish were different. And this is so much bigger than me and Eurovision, it really is."

He confessed: "Obviously, I wish there wasn't a war or this insane humanitarian crisis. I wish for peace and I have found this experience, at times, extremely... I've just felt really sad and distressed.

"But I still believe it's a good thing when people come together for entertainment. That's why I wanted to do Eurovision."

Thus far, Russia has refrained from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest since its illicit invasion of Ukraine. The European Broadcasting Union, however, rather than banning them outright, suspended involvement from Russia's broadcasters a status that has yet to be lifted by the Russian broadcaster.

The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malmo, south Sweden, this month - with the country hosting after Loreen won the show last year for the second time. The grand finale of the 2024 contest will take place on Saturday May 11 and will be broadcast in the UK on the BBC.

Commandeer your remote on Saturday, 11 May, as the much-awaited grand finale will air on BBC here in the UK.

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