UK Eurovision 2022 entry confirmed as lockdown singer turned TikTok sensation Sam Ryder
Sam Ryder will represent the UK at Eurovision 2022 (BBC)
The UK’s Eurovision Song Contest 2022 entry has been unveiled, with Sam Ryder officially set to represent the nation in Italy this May.
The TikTok star was long-rumoured to be stepping up to the challenge before the news was confirmed on BBC Radio 1 on Thursday morning (10 March).
Sam Ryder’s Eurovision 2022 song, “Space Man”, premiered on Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James.
Scott Mills joined the show to break the news, and backed the 31-year-old singer to turn the UK’s luck around after last year’s entry, James Newman, scored zero.
BBCEurovision to mission control…🇬🇧@SamRyderMusic will represent the UK at #Eurovision 2022🇮🇹🎤
🌟 https://t.co/BzUOOCNQ0v @bbcr1 | @bbcradio2 | @bbcsounds pic.twitter.com/85jwzKxX1n
— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) March 10, 2022
Hi, my name is Sam and this is not a drill 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
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I’ll be on @BBCR1 this afternoon with @scott_mills & @Chris_Stark 👩🚀🚀 Tune in on BBC Sounds to hear all about it. pic.twitter.com/3Ormy9wpwV— Sam Ryder (@SamRyderMusic) March 10, 2022
Who is the UK’s Eurovision 2022 entry, Sam Ryder?
Sam Ryder has accumulated 12million followers on TikTok since March 2020, thanks to his popular covers of hits by the likes of Adele, Alicia Keys and Justin Bieber.
The Essex-born singer gushed about the honour as he said in a statement: “Having been a fan of Eurovision since I was a kid l I am so honoured to have been presented with the opportunity to sing at an event alongside some of Europe’s most talented creatives, performers and songwriters.
“I hope to sing my head off in a way the UK can be proud of, and to showcase a song I wrote with my friends last summer makes the whole experience even more special. See you in Turin legends!”
Initial reaction to the announcement was positive as fans claimed the singer was one of the best acts chosen in recent years.
.@scott_mills and @Chris_Stark’s Instagram live during lockdown got me into @SamRyderMusic and his brilliant music. So happy that he’s representing the U.K. in @Eurovision this year. @gregjames @BBCR1 🎶 #Eurovision #samryder pic.twitter.com/IxSoqV9nJK— Sharon (@see75) March 10, 2022
Actually buzzing for this years #eurovision2022 UK entry! @SamRyderMusic is brilliant! 🤩 loved Eurovision anyway, but with an amazing song it’s just got even better!— Becky (@bringinguptheb) March 10, 2022
I’m delighted. One giant leap for us at #Eurovision
And as a bonus @SamRyderMusic looks like a Viking in a Pantene advert. I approve very much https://t.co/dQmvNbWGDU
— Pete (@PeteJLewis) March 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/WellSpokenBloke/status/1501852575192305666
The UK's entry….and I like it!!! #eurovision #samryder #uk #UnitedKingdom #spaceman #tiktok @eurovision @bbceurovision @SamRyderMusic @grahnort https://t.co/i3GQWkq5XQ— Kok-Hwa Lie (@KokHwaLie) March 10, 2022
“Sam Ryder will be representing the United Kingdom at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest,” one fan tweeted. “I think for the first time in years we got a really decent artist singing for the UK fingers crossed for a good outcome in Turin.”
Another added: “@scott_mills and @Chris_Stark’s Instagram live during lockdown got me into @SamRyderMusic and his brilliant music. So happy that he’s representing the U.K. in @Eurovision this year.”
“Yes @SamRyderMusic!??? fantastic artist and song!! So happy!! ???,” one fan commented.
One fan stated: “Actually buzzing for this years #eurovision2022 UK entry! @SamRyderMusic is brilliant! ? loved Eurovision anyway, but with an amazing song it’s just got even better!”
“Yes, the UK is back after felt 1000 years @SamRyderMusic #Eurovision #samryder,” another tweeted.
One fan wrote: “I’m delighted. One giant leap for us at #Eurovision And as a bonus @SamRyderMusic looks like a Viking in a Pantene advert. I approve very much.”
The 66th Eurovision Song Contest is set to be held in Turin, Italy in May 2022.
Russia will no longer have an entry at the competition following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
