Michael Rice to represent UK at Eurovision with ‘Bigger Than Us’
Michael Rice (YouTube)
Michael Rice will represent the UK with “Bigger Than Us” at the Eurovision in Tel Aviv after being voted the winner tonight.
The singer went up against five other contestants to see who would represent the UK at this year’s Eurovision. He went up against Holly Tandy, who performed the same song on Eurovision You Decide.
However, judges Rylan Clark-Neal, Mollie King and Marvin Humes selected Michael Rice’s rendition of the song to go forward to the public vote.
Rice then went up against Kerrie-Anne, who performed “Sweet Lies”, and Jordan Clarke, who performed “Freaks.”
“Even this morning I was listening to the track with me mam when it went on iPlayer and I was like ‘wow, it’s a really good song’.”
– Michael Rice
But Rice ended up being the winner on the night after the public voted for him.
Speaking to Independent.co.uk earlier this week, Michael Rice said he would never have thought he could be in this position two years ago.
“I’d be so, so proud,” he said. “Even this morning I was listening to the track with me mam when it went on iPlayer and I was like ‘wow, it’s a really good song’.”
Michael Rice previously won the BBC’s All Together Now last year and has built up a steady fanbase since then.
Michael Rice had ‘best performance on the night’
Tweeting earlier this evening, he said: “I won’t be able to talk now till after the show guys! Please Make sure you are tuned in at 7:30pm BBC 2 & Don’t forget to VOTE VOTE VOTE im so excited.”
Many fans took to social media to voice their support for Rice.
Jamie Edwards wrote: “Best performance on the night, and worked the song well. Just hope someone can give Michael Rice better (some) choreography, and a jacket emblazoned with all the European flags on it, if we have any chance of winning #Eurovision Maybe steal Holly’s cowboys too!”
Ray Shah tweeted: “Michael Rice is the winner. Great song & a great singer.”
Mans Zelmerlow (JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/Getty)
The hour and a half long show saw each singer perform their song, before the judges decided which ones would go to a public vote.
It was presented by Mel Giedroyc and Mans Zelmerlow, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 for Sweden.
Fans took to social media to show their love for the presenting duo.
Mans Zelmerlow and Mel Giedroyc stole the show
One fan tweeted: “I am a little in love with Mans Zelmerlow.”
Another said: “Seriously, if I wasn’t already married I’d marry Mans Zelmerlow tomorrow. Because, you know, it’s that easy. #eurovisionYouDecide.”
And another fan echoed the same sentiment, saying: “I am seriously, deeply, head over heels in love with @manszelmerlow #EurovisionYouDecide.”
“I was so excited, I was so excited I had to leave for a second, but I’m back.”
– Mel Giedroyc
Mel Giedroyc had one of the standout moments of the night when she could be heard saying: “Where am I going?” before running back to her position.
She took the mistake in her stride however, instead opting to sit on Rylan’s lap, where she said: “I was so excited, I was so excited I had to leave for a second, but I’m back.”
The broadcast also included a performance by SuRie, who represented the UK at last year’s Eurovision, and also saw a performance from Netta, who won for Israel last year with “Toy.”
Katrina Leskanich of Katrina and the Waves also took to the stage to briefly sing along to “Love Shine a Light” with Mans Zelmerlow as a part of a Eurovision medley he performed.
“Love Shine a Light” was the UK’s last winning Eurovision entry, which took the award in 1997.
