17-05-2025
Eurovision winner looks like he hasn't aged a day 16 years after winning show
THIS Eurovision champ looks like he hasn't aged a day - 16 years after winning the show.
The final for the famous Song Contest gets underway tonight, and this star knows all about performing on the much-loved show.
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Alexander Rybak shot to fame when he won Eurovision for Norway in 2009.
The singer, who's act also sees him playing the violin, was just 23 when he scooped the Song Contest crown.
He stole the show with his hugely popular song Fairytale, which saw him sweep the scoreboard.
Alexander broke all previous records with his score of 387 points.
The track topped the charts once he won, and his album Fairytales was released in 25 countries.
Speaking about the song that helped him win, Alexander told the Huff Post in 2022: 'Fairytale lets me have fun with music and experiment with new genres and styles every year.
'It's essentially an old-fashioned oom-pah tune with Tin Pan Alley chords, but people called it a 'modern tune' because I believed in it in the here and now.
"I will be forever grateful for the people who stream it and show it to their friends, so that it may live on and be discovered by new generations.'
Alexander has returned to Eurovision several times over the years.
He has appeared on several interval medleys and even appeared as himself in the Netflix comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga.
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Alexander also competed again 2018, with the song That's How You Write a Song.
This time he placed 15th with 144 points.
HOST PULLS OUT
Meanwhile, yesterday it was revealed how the BBC were forced to find a replacement after one of the UK's Eurovision hosts pulled out at the last minute.
The Beeb shared a statement that said Dr Who 's Ncuti Gatwa, is no long able to read out the scores from the UK jury.
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The much-loved star is instead being replaced by Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
The BBC said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend.
"However, we are delighted to confirm that BBC Radio 2's very own Friday night Kitchen Disco Diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be presenting the Jury result live from the UK."
A thrilled Sophie said: 'I love Eurovision and it's a privilege to be part of 2025's Grand Final.
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"What an honour it is to announce the UK's jury score on such a special show which always puts music front and centre.
"I am very much looking forward to delivering the iconic douze points from the United Kingdom!'
Sophie will be seen announcing the scores from the British jury.
GRAHAM RETURNS
Fans will be pleased to know that Graham Norton returns to provide his witty commentary for tonight.
The national treasure took over from the late Terry Wogan in 2009 and has been a fan favourite ever since.
Eurovision will kick off this evening at in Basel, Switzerland at 8pm on BBC One.
