Eurovision 2021: James Newman will RETURN to represent the UK at final in Rotterdam

Eurovision 2021: James Newman will RETURN to represent the UK at the final in Rotterdam after 2020 contest was cancelled by Covid pandemic

James Newman will return to represent the United Kingdom at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, it was announced on Friday.

The BRIT Award winner, 35, will take to the stage in Rotterdam in The Netherlands on 22nd May with a new song after the 2020 final was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.

Due to the cancellation all of last year’s Eurovision acts have been invited to represent their country in this year’s final, which is expected to have social distancing measures and a limited crowd in place.

He’s back! James Newman, 35, will return to represent the United Kingdom at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, it was announced on Friday

James’ new song for this year’s Eurovision will be revealed next month after being unable to compete last year with the song My Last Breath.

Speaking about his return he said: ‘I’m so excited and honoured to be getting a second chance at representing my country in the Eurovision Song Contest. 

‘I haven’t stopped making new music in lockdown and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the song I’m taking to Eurovision in 2021.’

Superstar: The BRIT Award winner, 35, will take to the stage in Rotterdam in The Netherlands on 22nd May with a new song after the 2020 final was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic

Superstar: The BRIT Award winner, 35, will take to the stage in Rotterdam in The Netherlands on 22nd May with a new song after the 2020 final was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic

Jo Wallace, Acting Controller Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC, says: ‘We are so pleased to have James back with us and representing the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2021. 

‘After 2020 and the postponing of the 65th song contest Eurovision is exactly what everyone needs!’

Mel Balac, Creative Director for BBC Studios, says: ‘James has really embraced being part of the Eurovision family and team ESC UK are delighted that he is getting another shot at Eurovision.’

James won a BRIT Award in 2014 for Best British Single after co-writing Rudimental and Ella Eyre’s Waiting All Night. 

Exciting! All of last year's Eurovision acts were invited to compete in this year's finals with a new song. James' track for this year's competition will be revealed next month

Exciting! All of last year’s Eurovision acts were invited to compete in this year’s finals with a new song. James’ track for this year’s competition will be revealed next month

Michael Rice represented the UK in 2019, but finished the nation’s poor run of results in the final, finishing in last place with just 11 points after a vote correction. 

This year’s Eurovision is expected to see many 2020 acts return with new songs to compete, as rules state they cannot return with the same track as last year.

Last year many fans called for Iceland’s viral track Think About Things by Daði og Gagnamagnið to be crowned the winner even before the final had been cancelled.

Give it the title! Last year, before the final was cancelled, many fans called for Iceland's viral track Think About Things by Daði og Gagnamagnið to be crowned the winner

Give it the title! Last year, before the final was cancelled, many fans called for Iceland’s viral track Think About Things by Daði og Gagnamagnið to be crowned the winner

Bosses opted to replace the competition with a special Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light which showcased the artists due to take part at a sombre time when the continent was gripped by the pandemic. 

While Eurovision bosses have confirmed this year’s final will go ahead, it’s expected that social distancing will be included, with plans for a limited audience if Covid cases are low enough.

As one of the Big Five countries (United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy), the United Kingdom does not have to qualify from the semi-final stage of the competition and will gain automatic access to the Saturday Grand Final. 

The Netherlands, as the incumbent champion, will also not need to qualify from the semi-final stage and will gain automatic entry to the Grand Final. 

The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will air on BBC One on Saturday 22nd May in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The semi-finals will also air on BBC Four on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th May. 

This instead! Bosses opted to replace last year's competition with a special Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light which showcased the artists due to take part

This instead! Bosses opted to replace last year’s competition with a special Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light which showcased the artists due to take part