Olly Alexander has broken his silence on his Eurovision show, after he was announced as the UK’s entry for the music competition next year.
The Years & Years frontman, 33, made the announcement during Saturday’s live final of Strictly Come Dancing as the audience cheered along.
He will represent the UK in Sweden in 2024 and has promised to ‘fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible’.
Olly appeared on Radio 2 on Monday and told host Rylan about how he is preparing for his performance, teasing that it will require ‘extreme physical fitness’.
He said: ‘Whatever I’m going to be doing it’s going to require some extreme physical fitness from me because I know that, when I was on tour I started singing the songs on the treadmill… so I’ve started doing that. I’ve started hula hooping and singing the song.’
Olly Alexander has broken his silence on his Eurovision show, after he was announced as the UK’s entry for the music competition next year
The Years & Years frontman, 33, made the announcement during Saturday’s live final of Strictly Come Dancing as the audience cheered along
Asked to sum up what fans can expect, Olly said: ‘Drama!’ before adding: ‘I think it’s going to be one of the craziest experiences of my life.’
He also opened up about how hard it was to keep the news a secret, revealing his mum had a ‘panic attack’ when she found out because she was so excited.
He added that getting to be the UK entry was ‘like a dream’ and vowed he would ‘be pulling out all the stops’ in Malmö next year.
Olly explained: ‘It’s an overwhelming feeling because obviously I’ve known about this for a little while, let’s say, and keeping it a secret was hard and I kind of forgot that people would know and, sort of, have a reaction!
‘Everyone’s been super supportive, I’m just so so excited, it’s a bit like a dream. I can’t believe it’s really happening…
‘I’m already so proud of the song and just the fact that I’m going to be taking part and you’d best believe I’m going to be pulling out all the stops for this performance.’
He went on: ‘Oh gosh my mum, she was having a panic attack. I told her when I found out – I was, like, ‘You can’t tell anyone mum’ and she was just like, ‘Oh my god, what am I going to do?’
‘She’s just been so so excited, she can’t wait and hopefully I can bring her to Sweden.’
He will represent the UK in Sweden in 2024 and has promised to ‘fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible’ (pictured in June)
Olly appeared on Radio 2 on Monday and told host Rylan about how he is preparing for his performance, teasing that it will require ‘extreme physical fitness’ (pictured in 2022)
Olly has also been given support by the UK’s last two Eurovision entrants, Sam Ryder and Mae Muller.
He divulged: ‘I’ve had some lovely messages from Sam and Mae actually…. I need to have a proper conversation with both of them. We’re part of a [Eurovision] family now!’
Olly also appeared on Monday’s Magic Radio Breakfast show with Ronan Keating and Harriet Scott, where he teased that if his song was a cocktail ‘it would be an amaretto sour!’
He revealed he’s known he would be taking to the stage for the UK for two months and gushed that it had been a childhood dream.
He said: ‘I’ve wanted to do it for a really long time – ever since I was a kid – so this is so exciting, I can’t believe it.’
Olly explained that his first memory for the show was Gina G and that he was so inspired making the song, that he ended up creating a whole new album.
He said: ‘The song that I have for Eurovision I made with Danny L Harle, who’s a brilliant pop producer, and we made basically a whole album, so I’ve got a lot of music ready to go so I’m so, so excited that it’s coming.’
It comes after Olly promised that his Eurovision show will be a ‘wild ride’ and said he won’t be singing a ballad but an electronic song that is ‘something you can dance to’.
He added that getting to be the UK entry was ‘like a dream’ and vowed he would ‘be pulling out all the stops’ in Malmö next year (pictured with Elton John in 2021)
He told The BBC after the official announcement: ‘I’m scared, but I’m excited. I’ve wanted to do this for a really, really long time. It’s all a bit of a blur.
‘I mean, it wasn’t gonna be a ballad. Or maybe it could have been a ballad. I love a ballad. Am I saying too much now? It’s not a ballad.
‘I wrote the song with Danny Harle, and it’ll be coming next year. And it’s really good.
‘That’s definitely the vibe. It’s gonna be electronic, something you can dance to. But yeah, I can’t say much more than that.’
He added that he can’t wait to arrive in Sweden next year to meet all the fans and other taking part, saying: ‘It’s going to be the wildest experience of my life!’
Olly made the announcement during the Strictly final, after storming through the gold curtain to announce the voting terms and conditions.
Hen then shared his news as host Claudia Winkleman said: ‘On behalf of everyone we are so lucky to have you. I know everything’s a secret but can you tell us anything?’
Olly replied: ‘I’m planning it now, it’s going to be spectacular. I love Eurovision, I’m so so so excited, it’s going to be great.’
Olly has also been given support by the UK’s last two Eurovision entrants, Sam Ryder (pictured in 2022) and Mae Muller
It comes after Olly promised that his Eurovision show will be a ‘wild ride’ and said he won’t be singing a ballad but an electronic song that is ‘something you can dance to’
In a statement, Olly added: ‘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.’
Olly, who identifies as non-binary and uses he/him pronouns, added: ‘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, it shall be an honour!
‘I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and it feels like the right moment to start releasing music under my own name.
‘I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!’
BBC bosses are no doubt hoping to turn the UK’s fortunes after Mae Muller failed to impress audiences earlier this year at the contest in Liverpool where she finished second from last.
According to The Sun, Olly pitched a catchy song penned by producer Danny L Harle, the mastermind behind Dua Lipa’s latest hit Houdini.
He revealed he’s known he would be taking to the stage for the UK for two months and gushed that it had been a childhood dream (pictured in 2022)
BBC bosses are no doubt hoping to turn the UK’s fortunes after Mae Muller (pictured) failed to impress audiences earlier this year at the contest in Liverpool where she finished second from last
A source previously told the publication: ‘It’s a dream come true for Olly. Things aren’t quite locked in but he is a favourite with bosses.
‘Olly has said for ages he wants to have a crack at it — and after teaming up with Danny for the song he thinks we have a great shot.
They added: ‘He is aware people say that no established act in their right mind would go on the show due to the UK’s track record but as far as he is concerned that’s just snobbery.’
As well as being topping the charts with Years & Years Olly has also established himself as an actor and led the cast of Channel 4’s award-winning drama It’s A Sin.