Culture

Australia selects Guy Sebastian for Eurovision

Mar 04 2015
Written by Nick Duffy

Australia has selected Guy Sebastian to be their entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

It was announced last month that to celebrate the competition’s 60th Anniversary, Australia would be allowed to compete for the first time ever.

Artists including Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan had been tipped to take the role – but Australian broadcaster SBS selected the Australian Idol winner and X Factor judge through an internal selection.

The broadcaster has not yet selected the song that will be performed, though both of the contenders are ballads.

Sebastian said: “There was a lady with a beard last time. I’m not going to wear a dress.

“I’m not sure about the song yet – that’s still being worked out.

“You look at Conchita last year, it was so unexpected. There’s no real boundaries to it – that’s what I love.”

Sebastian has two children with his wife Jules Egan.

Entry to Eurovision has never required a country to physically be in Europe, but rather requires membership of the European Broadcasting Union – with Australia given special one-off dispensation to enter this year’s contest.

The pressure will be on Guy Sebastian, however – the EBU has hinted that Australia will be allowed back in 2016 to defend its title if he takes the crown this year.

In the event of a win, Australia will host the 2016 contest in a European city, in partnership with another broadcaster.

Including Australia, 40 countries are set to compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, with the Grand Final taking place on May 23.

Last year’s winner, drag artist Conchita Wurst, will serve as a green room presenter and is also expected to reprise her winning song, as is Eurovision tradition.

Eurovision has previously included a number of nods to its die-hard Australian fans, many of whom stay up to watch the contest in the middle of the night.

In 2014 Australian artist Jessica Mauboy was allowed to perform during the second semi-final – but only as an intermission act.

Australia has broadcast the contest for 30 years, and has sent commentators since 2009.

May 23 has been dubbed ‘the gayest day ever’ due to a potential clash between the contest and the result from Ireland’s same-sex marriage referendum.

Watch Guy Sebastian’s previous single Like a Drum – which is not eligible to be the entry – below: