What is Eurovision Song Contest 2022 UK entry Sam Ryder doing now?
Sam Ryder came in second place at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin with his song Space Man in 2022 - and his life has never been the same since
Sam Ryder came in second place in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022
(Image: AP Photo/Luca Bruno )
The grand final of Eurovision is officially here, with audiences gathering for what promises to be a thrilling evening of music, laughter, tears, and more.
As we approach the grand finale, some may be reflecting on previous contestants who represented the UK. One act which will stick in our minds is Sam Ryder, who clinched second place , the highest position for the UK since the early 90s.
Eurovision 2022 marked a remarkable year for the UK. Not only did it secure its highest position in over two decades but the song and performer also became the highest-scoring UK Eurovision entrant.
He won the jury vote with 283 points and came second in public voting with 466 points. Since then, Sam Ryder has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the music industry - let's explore his journey since the competition and his current endeavours. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter .
Chosen by Tap Management and the BBC, TikTok sensation and musician Sam Ryder capturing the nation's heart with not only his exceptional vocals, guitar prowess, striking outfit and hair, but also his irresistibly positive demeanour.
After being unearthed on the social media video platform, where he shared videos of himself performing cover songs during the inaugural COVID-19 lockdown, he landed a record deal and unveiled his debut EP in 2021, which led to a completely sold-out tour.
However, it was his stint as the UK's Eurovision representative that propelled his career to new heights following his live performance of Space Man in Turin at the prestigious song competition.
Before Sam, the last UK artist to achieve second place was Imaani in 1998. Sam didn't only secure second place on Eurovision, but Space Man also secured the second spot on the UK Singles Chart. This then became the highest-ranking UK Eurovision entry since Gina G's "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" in 1996.
Since then, he has taken the stage at a multitude of high-profile events, including the Queen's Platinum Jubilee concert, the Royal Variety Show, Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins' memorial concert, his inaugural European tour, and, most recently, a UK tour.
In the interim, he also launched an album titled There's Nothing but Space, Man!, which hit the market in December, 2022. This album featured follow-up singles Somebody and Living Without You.
His album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart almost instantly, making the now 35-year-old singer the first British male solo artist to achieve this feat with their first LP in over three years.
In January, 2023, Sam Ryder created history by becoming the first UK Eurovision act to receive a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2023 Brit Awards.
His famed jumpsuit from his Turin performance is now on exhibit in Liverpool at the British Music Experience, which honoured the Eurovision Song Contest's return to the UK on behalf of Ukraine for the first time in over 20 years.
Sam performed at the grand final in Liverpool as one of the acts. Before the big night, he treated fans to a trio of "free" gigs at Liverpool's Cavern Club, and his Instagram followers were thrilled to learn that Sam had been busy crafting new tunes. One such track, titled 'Mountain', dropped rather opportunistically just a day before the Eurovision grand final.
The singer is about to release a new single titled, Oh ok, on May 23. He shared on Instagram: "I wrote OH OK about that feeling you get when someone who was an important part of your life, that you're no longer with, is trying their hardest to make you jealous, and the ways in which we can claim our own power back while in that temporary space.
"Understanding the truth behind empty actions and acting rather than reacting seem to be the key to this, and I hope OH OK serves as a reminder that if you're going through it, this too shall pass."
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He is currently touring around North America, but later this year, Sam will be joining the likes of Jamie Cullum, Tom Walker and Orla Gartland on the Field of Avalon stage at this year's Glastonbury. He shared on Instagram that he was "So stoked" when the festival announced the line-up in March.
After his Glasto debut, he will performing to thousands of fans at Wembley Arena in London on Thursday, November 6. He shared on Instagram:" WE'RE HEADLINING WEMBLEY...AHHHHH!!!""
Tickets for the headline gig are still available on Ticketmaster.
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The Eurovision Song Contest grand final is scheduled for Saturday, May 17. You can catch all the action live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, as well as on the contest's YouTube channel starting at 8pm.
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