Who is UK Eurovision act Olly Alexander? Singer at Malmo contest with entry Dizzy

Olly Alexander is hoping to do a lot better than Mae Muller did 12 months ago, when he represents the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest this week.

Mae ended up second last on the leaderboard after she performed her track I Wrote A Song, ending up at the opposite end of the standings to Sam Ryder, who finished second a year earlier in Italy. Unlike in years gone by, when the BBC has typically announced the entry just a few months before, Olly revealed he was doing Eurovision when he made a surprise appearance during the Strictly final in December.

Given Olly's music pedigree, the news quickly got people excited, with his entry Dizzy then premiering at the start of March. Since then, Olly has been on the promotional circuit, both on TV and at Eurovision pre-parties across the continent. In a break with tradition, all of this year's automatic qualifiers - the Big 5 and Sweden - will get the chance to perform in the semi finals, with Olly taking to the stage for semi final 1 on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Eurovision semi final 1 running order as hotly tipped Croatia and Ukraine compete

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At the time of writing on Monday, May 6, Olly was in 10th in the last Eurovision winner odds, behind the likes of Croatia's Baby Lasagna and Ireland's Bambi Thug, but ahead of entries from Sweden, Lithuania and Belgium.

Who is UK Eurovision act Olly Alexander?

Harrogate born singer Olly, 33, is best known for being in Years and Years, the act who landed a number 1 with their debut single King in 2014, before following it up with tracks like Shine and If You're Over Me.

Away from the charts, Olly earned a lot of acclaim for his role in hit Channel 4 drama It's A Sin, playing the on screen son of Bodyguard star Keeley Hawes.

On representing the UK at Eurovision, 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. I'm determined to give it everything I've got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!"