Olly Alexander reveals the hilarious code name he gave his Eurovision song 🤣
We definitely wouldn't have guessed that!
Last updated 19th Dec 2023
Olly Alexander has now been revealed as the UK's Eurovision 2024 entry, and the Hits Radio Breakfast team caught up with him on Tuesday (19th December). Speaking to Fleur East, James and Matt, Olly revealed how he's been keen to do Eurovision for many years, even admitting he had been in the running for it a while back, but actually removed himself from the process, thinking the time wasn't quite right. Despite that, Olly is back and will be representing the UK next year.
Telling Fleur and the team, how he found out he'd been chosen, he said he received a FaceTime call: "I found out for sure it was going to happen about two months ago, my manager (she's actually sat there), she called me... both my managers FaceTimed me, and I could see their faces."
He went on to say how he just knew from their faces, that he'd been chosen! The 'King' singer then revealed that over the last two months they've had a codename for his in involvement with Eurovision, and they decided on the hilarious name of Operation Cauliflower!
When Fleur said: "I guess no one would guess that would they?" Olly agreed: "Well there you go!" Now the secret's out!
Olly has been working on the song for a while, with pop producer Danny L Harle. Olly and Danny (who has worked with the likes of Dua Lipa and Charli XCX), have also been working on Olly's album, which is very nearly finished, and as part of the process they worked on the new Eurovision song.
"This song we wrote together, right from the beginning it felt like an exciting song," the 'Desire' singer explained, admitting: "We didn't know really if it was the one for Eurovision or not, and then once people heard it, and they were like 'it's this song'."
Some eagle-eyed fans have noticed the number 26 popping up a lot in one of Olly's TikToks announcing the news, so James quizzed him on the significance, but Olly was staying tight-lipped on that one, saying: "If I told you, I feel like something would come down from the ceiling and like I'd get arrested!"
James then asked: "Is it the release date, or something to do with the song, can you at least tell us that?"
To which, Olly replied: "It's not the release date..." Looks like he's going to keep us guessing!
We can't wait to hear the UK's 2024 Eurovision song!
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Take a look through Olly Alexander's amazing career:
2009: Bright Star
Before making it in the music industry, Olly was an actor, he appeared in several films including Bright Star. Olly played the role of Tom Keats, the lead character's brother.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Costume Design.
2009: Tormented
Also in 2009, Olly appeared in the film Tormented which starred Tuppence Middleton. He played the role of Jason Banks.
Olly also appeared in films Enter the Void, Dust, The Fades, Gulliver's Travels and The Dish & the Spoon.
2010: Olly Alexander joined Years & Years
Despite still acting, Years & Years formed. Olly Alexander was invited to join the band by Mikey Goldsworthy, who heard him singing in the shower.
2012: Theatre and music work
As well as his on screen acting, Olly also worked on a theatre production of Mercury Fur in 2012.
2012 was also the year that Years & Years released their debut song 'I Wish I Knew' as a five-piece group.
2013: Peter and Alice (theatre)
Olly went on to appear as Peter Pan in the West End play Peter and Alice, which starred Judi Dench. Years later, he would ask Judi to appear in the short film that accompanies Years & Years' album 'Palo Santo'.
Olly also appeared in two episodes of the TV show Skins and the feature film Le Week-End.
2014: God Help the Girl
In 2014, Olly appeared in the lead role of a musical feature film called God Help the Girl. In the film he sang and played the guitar. It follows three friends in Glasgow who form a band.
2015: Years & Years release 'Communion'
In 2015, Years & Years music career was really beginning to take hold. The band (now a trio) released their Number 1 debut album 'Communion' and also their huge hits, 'King' and 'Shine'.
2018: Years & Years released 'If You're Over Me'
Years & Years released 'If You're Over Me', which was another chart success for the band reaching Number 6 in the UK, followed by 'Play' with Jax Jones which reached Number 8.
The band also released 'Palo Santo', their second album. The album was accompanied by a short film which was narrated by Judi Dench.
2021: Olly Alexander stars in It's a Sin
Olly starred in the Channel 4 series It's a Sin about the lives of three young people affected by the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
The singer plays Ritchie, from the Isle of Wight. The 'golden boy' of a middle-class family, Ritchie is heading off to University to study law in London where he finds 'freedom'.
2021: Years & Years performed at The BRITs
Olly, along with the rest of Years & Years performed at The BRIT Awards. The band also released 'It's a Sin' (solo or with Elton John), 'Starstruck' (solo or with Kylie Minogue). Olly also released 'Sweet Talker' with Galantis as the Years & Years solo project.
2021: Years & Years becomes a solo project
In 2021, Years & Years explained that they would be continuing as an 'Olly solo project' which will involve Mikey Goldsworthy playing at the live shows and Emre Türkmen helping with writing/producing.
2021: Years & Years released: 'Starstruck'
Years & Years' first single as a solo project was called 'Starstruck' and released in April 2021. There were two versions of the song, one as a solo track and one with Kylie Minogue, which was released the following month.
2022: Olly Alexander releases his first solo album
The project's first solo album was called 'Night Call', released in January 2022 and debuting at the top of the charts in the UK. It was accompanied by a tour of the same name.
2023: Mighty Hoopla Festival headline slot
Olly headlined the Mighty Hoopla Festival 2023 alongside Destiny's Child legend Kelly Rowland, singing all the band's biggest hits - and even bringing out Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts for a mini reunion!
2023: Olly Alexander announced as the UK's Eurovision 2024 entry
During the Strictly Come Dancing final, Olly Alexander was announced as the UK's Eurovision 2024 entry.
Speaking about the news, Olly said: "I've loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I'm beyond excited to be taking part next year. As a young boy I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion and humour."
2024: Olly Alexander makes a pit-stop at The Queen Vic
Olly Alexander will appear in an episode of EastEnders. The actor and singer makes a surprise visit in Walford, however his appearance is not the only surprise of the night.
On his guest-appearance, Olly Alexander said: "I'm thrilled to be making my first appearance on EastEnders and in the most iconic pub in the UK. I'm so happy I got to meet some true screen legends and spend time on set with the brilliant cast and crew. I wanted to surprise my mum as it's her favourite show but I guess the cat is out of the bag now, she's gonna love it!"
2024: Olly Alexander represents the UK at Eurovision 2024
Taking to the stage in Malmö on Saturday 11th May, Olly performed his single 'DIzzy' during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Despite giving an epic performance, Olly finished in 18th place with just 46 points.
November 2024: Olly performs at Hits Radio Live Birmingham
Olly took to the stage of the bp pulse LIVE arena in Birmingham for Hits Radio Live in November 2024, where he performed his biggest hits and entertained crowds. He joined Sugababes, Joel Corry, Ella Henderson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Tom Walker, and Sigala for the Friday night line up.
Now read:
Olly Alexander confirmed as UK's Eurovision 2024 act
Olly Alexander: How the Bright Star actor became our Eurovision 2024 entry
Olly Alexander's fantastic outfits through the years