TikTok star Sam Ryder will represent the UK at Eurovision 2022
The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in May
Last updated 10th Mar 2022
It's that time of year again! With May fast approaching, preparations are in full swing for the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, with TikTok star Sam Ryder being confirmed to represent the UK in Turin, Italy.
Singer Sam, who has 12 million followers on social media app TikTok, will perform his hit single 'Space Man' at the final on 14th May 2022.
Sharing a clip of the new video on Instagram, Sam wrote: 'Who heard the news!??? ABSOLUTELY BONKERS AAAHHHHH!!! Here’s something equally bonkers...the video for Space Man is out NOW!!! 👩🚀 Go check it out wherever you are in the cosmos 🚀'. (sic)
Sam said: "I don't want to let the stigma or fear of coming at a certain place in a table stop me from doing something and being a part of something that I enjoy so much.
"As long as I can go to Eurovision and know in my heart of hearts I'm going to do the best job I can then everything else is out of my control."
Listen to Sam Ryder's 'Space Man' below:
As you are most likely aware, the UK haven't exactly had the greatest success at the Eurovision Song Contest over the last decade.
Despite finishing 5th in 2009 with Jade Ewan, the UK have placed on the right hand side of the leaderboard since, with both Michael Rice (2019) and James Newman (2021), finishing in last place.
However, there's a certain buzz around with Sam, with many hoping he can be the one to break our recent tradition thanks to his online popularity.
Sam become an overnight sensation when the world went into lockdown back in March 2020, with the singer uploading covers to his TikTok page. The 31-year-old has since landed praise from some major artists such as Alicia Keys, Justin Bieber and Sia and he's racked up 12 million followers on the platform.
Local singer-songwriter Brooke Scullion from Bellaghy is preparing to wow the world, representing Ireland this year.
Speaking to Cool FM's Curtis McCosh, Brooke shared that she has grown up watching the Eurovision Song Contest year after year. “To get the opportunity to represent my country is amazing. Ireland is the most successful country, so I think I’m going to have to bring the trophy back for everyone this year.”
Ireland is currently the most successful country to have participated in the contest, winning a total of seven times.
Ireland's previous Eurovison winners
- Dana with 'All Kinds of Everything' in 1970
- Johnny Logan with 'What's Another Year' in 1980 and 'Hold Me Now' in 1987
- Linda Martin with 'Why Me' 1992
- Niamh Kavanagh with 'In Your Eyes' in 1993
- Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan with 'Rock 'n' Roll Kids' in 1994
- Eimear Quinn with 'The Voice' in 1996
Guess the countries from the iconic Eurovision performances below:
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Check your answers...
1) UK - Bucks Fizz: 'Making Your Mind Up' (1981)
2) FINLAND - Lordi: 'Hard Rock Hallelujah' (2006)
3) SWEDEN - Loreen: 'Euphoria' (2012)
4) UK - Scooch: 'Flying The Flag' (2007)
5) SWITZERLAND - Celine Dion: 'Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi' (1988)
6) NORWAY - Alexander Rybak: 'Fairytale' (2009)
7) SWEDEN - ABBA: 'Waterloo' (1974)
8) IRELAND - Jedward: 'Lipstick' (2011)
9) UK - Brotherhood Of Man: 'Save Your Kisses For Me' (1976)
10) UKRAINE - Verka Serduchka: 'Dancing Lasha Tumbai' (2007)
11) UK - Katrina and the Waves: 'Love Shine A Light' (1997)
12) AUSTRIA - Conchita Wurst: 'Rise Like a Phoenix' (2014)
13) RUSSIA - Buranovskiye Babushki: 'Party For Everybody' (2012)
14) UK - Blue: 'I Can' (2011)
15) ISRAEL - Netta: 'Toy' (2018)
16) IRELAND - Ryan O'Shaughnessy: 'Together' (2018)
17) UK - Sam Ryder: 'Space Man' (2022)
The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Turin on Saturday 14th May on BBC One.
Now read:
12 facts you probably didn’t know about the Eurovision Song Contest
QUIZ: Guess the country from these iconic Eurovision performances