UK's Eurovision Song Contest performance sparks huge backlash among BBC viewers
BBC Eurovision Song Contest enthusiasts are split over Olly Alexander ‘s first performance representing the UK in Eurovision.
The Eurovision Song Contest ignited excitement worldwide as it launched into its first semi-final on Tuesday, broadcasted by RTE in Ireland and the BBC in the UK. The show was initiated by Eleni Foureira, a former Cyprus contestant, who set the stage alight with her sparkling attire and backup dancers clad in black. However, it was Olly Alexander’s inaugural UK performance that sparked widespread chatter among British Eurovision fans.
Olly Alexander, 33, famed for his role in the band Years and Years, took to the stage representing the UK with his song ‘Dizzy’. His performance on Tuesday night gave fans their first taste of the track, but reactions were incredibly mixed.
Thrilled to unveil ‘Dizzy’, the first single he has written solo, which featured some impressive stage production, Alexander’s moment under the spotlight received a varied response from BBC viewers who quickly voiced their opinions online.
One viewer expressed disappointment X, formerly known as Twitter as they wrote: “Had high hopes for the UK @Eurovision this year with Olly Alexander but it sounded a little ropey at the semi-final just now.” Another commented sharply: “#eurovision Shockingly poor singing there from Olly Alexander.”
Another critique came from a third viewer who tweeted: “#EURO2024 sorry but I don’t think much of #OllyAlexander Dizzy UK entry. Set and production poor.” Another echoed: “Let’s be honest. Olly Alexander just doesn’t have the voice. #Eurovision2024.”
Despite the negative reviews, Olly’s supportive fans came out in their dozens to back the singer after the harsh criticism. One fan gushed on X: “I just love Olly Alexander… GREAT staging… #ESC2024,” while another praised: “Olly’s performance was SO professional. It was like watching a music video. Best staging of the year #unitedkingdom.”
Eurovision viewers were not overly impressed with Olly’s performance
Another viewer changed their tune after seeing the live show, admitting: “Ok, when I first heard Olly Alexander’s #Eurovision song for the UK, I didn’t like it, but now that I’m seeing the staging, I like it a lot better,”.
It comes after Olly admitted that he had been left “sad and distressed” by parts of his Eurovision experience. The contest is at the centre of a political storm with pressure placed on some of the artists to boycott the event. The Israeli National Security Agency saying it has made plans to raise the threat level from two to three amid heightened tensions over the war in Gaza. Widespread protests are expected to cast a shadow over the event.
Avid Eurovision fans criticised Olly’s debut Eurovision performance
It comes after the Eurovision organisers said they reserve the right to remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols at the show in Sweden. The announcement came amid heightened tensions surrounding Israel’s participation in the annual music competition over its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, now in its seventh month.
Olly admitted he is feeling a bit “overwhelmed” at competing and talking to The Times about the controversy, the talented Years & Years frontman said: “Obviously there are a lot of things I wish were different. And this is so much bigger than me and Eurovision, it really is. Obviously, I wish there wasn’t a war or this insane humanitarian crisis.”
Estimates suggest that around 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza, around 70 per of those said to be women and children. The star went on: “I wish for peace and I have found this experience, at times, extremely… I’ve just felt really sad and distressed. But I still believe it’s a good thing when people come together for entertainment. That’s why I wanted to do Eurovision.”
The singer told the Mirror he is unable to think about anything other than the competition on Saturday. He said: “I go to bed thinking of Eurovision, I dream about Eurovision, I wake up thinking about Eurovision. It’s just constantly, constantly in my head. I feel like I’ve gone through everything that could possibly go wrong, every eventual possibility, it’s happened in my head already in one way or another. So I don’t know any more. I’m just overwhelmed.”
Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .