Latest news with #EurovisionSongContest
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dustin the Turkey threatens shock Eurovision comeback after 17 years
Dustin The Turkey has threatened to enter the Eurovision Song Contest again. The fowl talking bird could be set to make a dramatic return to the Eurovision stage next year, 17 years after representing Ireland in Belgrade. In 2008, he sang 'Irlande Douze Points' (sic) in a shopping trolley. He told us: 'Eurovision used to be Terry Wogan., Johnny Logan and Larry Gogan. They're all dead now. It's all moved on now. 'Johnny Logan wanted to bring the orchestra back. Is he joking? I don't think he is. This is a man wearing a leather coat in hot weather last week with a guitar over his shoulder. He doesn't even know how to play the guitar,' he quipped jokingly. And he said RTE needs to stop blaming him for Eurovision failure, saying RTE don't have the money to host the song contest, and he has done the country a favour. Dustin's divisive performance kicked off a long run of Eurovision bad luck for Ireland. We failed to make it to the final in nine of the 15 contests that followed. Earlier this year, Eurovision hopeful Samantha Mumba blamed Dustin for our string of bad luck, saying: 'I think Dustin just put everybody off Ireland for a while.' Pictured at the relaunch of Chadwicks Sallynoggin is local builder and icon Dustin the Turkey. (Image: Conor McCabe Photography) But Dustin hit back, telling us: 'What I'm saying is, I think every time Ireland doesn't qualify for the Eurovision, which is every year, let's be honest, they put people like Johnny Logan on Liveline. 'It's comedy. Who cares if we win Eurovision. RTE don't even have the money to stage it, so technically I'm doing the country a favour. 'I possibly will re-enter again,' he added. Dustin was speaking at Chadwicks newly refurbished Sallynoggin branch where he was joined by Olympic boxer Jack Marley. Chadwicks Sallynoggin now boasts a wide range of specialist centres and showrooms, from smart home technology and sustainable solutions to enhanced trade services and a new coffee and hot food outlet. Dustin and Jack were joined by Patrick Atkinson, CEO of Chadwicks Group, and Eric Born, CEO of Grafton Group (Chadwicks' parent company) who was in Dublin for the occasion, to officially open the branch and welcome local customers. Pictured at the relaunch of Chadwicks Sallynoggin are Olympic boxer and brand ambassador Jack Marley; and local builder and icon Dustin the Turkey. (Image: Conor McCabe Photography) The refurbishment is part of Chadwicks' ongoing nationwide rebrand and upgrade programme, which began in 2018 and has seen 33 of its 50 branches renovated to date, to meet the evolving needs of local tradespeople, engineers, self-builders, and DIYers. Speaking about the refurbishment, Patrick Atkinson said: 'I'm delighted to unveil the newly refurbished Chadwicks Sallynoggin. 'This upgrade is about more than just the building; it's about creating a better experience for our customers. 'With more choice, smarter solutions, and a dedicated local team at the heart of it all, the branch is now even better equipped to meet the needs of future customers and continue serving the community for years to come.' Jack Marley said: 'I've grown up around Chadwicks Sallynoggin, it's always been a huge part of the community here. 'It's great to see the investment that's gone into the branch, not just in the building, but in making sure it continues to cater to local people in the trades, along with homeowners who have a flair for DIY.' Dustin the Turkey added: 'You know me, I don't get out of the coop for nothing, but this place is something else. 'Power tools, paint, pastries — what more could you want? As a 'well-feathered' builder myself, I'd be running fowl if I didn't let every other trade and DIY legend in the area know what they're missing.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ncuti Gatwa explains decision to pull out of Eurovision as he takes swipe at BBC
Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa has addressed pulling out of his role as the spokesperson for the UK jury at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 following speculation about the decision Former Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has spoken about pulling out of the Eurovision Song Contest. He was due to represent the UK 's jury but then just days before the final in May the BBC announced that he would no longer appear. Ncuti, 32, was named the spokesperson for the jury on May 2, ahead of the contest in Switzerland that month. Less than two weeks later though, it was announced that Sophie Ellis Bextor would provide the jury's results instead. The BBC shared the news on May 15, the same night as the second semi-final. It said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately [Ncuti] is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend." Following the news, there was speculation that Ncuti had dropped out of the role due to Israel 's continued participation in the contest, with it noted at the time that he's been vocal in his support for Palestine. The BBC had announced his departure shortly after Israel qualified for the grand final in the second semi-final. The actor was asked about his decision whilst a guest on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday. Ncuti and co-star Edward Bluemel appeared to promote their West End play Born With Teeth, which opens in London next month. Ncuti, who also spoke about his departure from Doctor Who on the BBC talk show over the weekend, was asked by presenter Laura Kuenssberg, 48: "Lots of people were really excited to see you at Eurovision and then at the last minute you decided not to go ahead with it. Can I ask why you did that?" Laura continued: "Was that because of some of the strains that you'd been under? You didn't wanna be on such a big platform or what was it about?" Ncuti said that he had been "busy" with his career and told the host that he had pulled out of his Eurovision role "long before" it was announced on May 15. He then questioned why it was announced by the BBC when it was. Addressing the question, Ncuti said: "That one ... it all panned out very interestingly. I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced. And it was announced when it was announced. I don't know why. But I was just very busy." He continued by telling Laura: "Just had a lot of work scheduled." He explained during the interview yesterday: "A lot of press around [my upcoming film] the Roses, around Doctor [Who], around ... yeah, there was just a lot of press." Laura added: "There was some speculation that ... because there was controversy about Israel being a part of the competition ... and there was speculation that that's why you had decided not to take part because you have before been one of many people who's expressed a lot of support for the Palestinians. Was that part of your reasoning?" Ncuti replied: "No, I was just very busy." He was then asked if he had watched Eurovision this year following his departure from his role as spokesperson. He told Laura: "I didn't, no." Ncuti concluded his answer by saying: "Was busy."
Leader Live
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Bjorn Ulvaeus unsure if Abba Voyage will continue if a bandmate dies
Since opening in May 2022, more than three million people have seen the show that brings to life younger versions of the Abba members through digital 'Abba-tars' and a 10-piece live band in a purpose-built arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. The influential pop group, also made up of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson, were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit Waterloo in Brighton in 1974. Asked on Times Radio if the virtual concerts will continue if a member of Abba dies, Ulvaeus told the station: 'That's a question I've never had before… I honestly don't know, hadn't thought about that. 'It's good you raise that question – I'll talk to the others about that as we need to decide beforehand between us if it's OK for all four of us to go on after we're gone.' Faltskog and Ulvaeus married in 1971 before splitting almost a decade later, while Andersson and Lyngstad also married and divorced in 1981, a year before the band broke up. Abba had a string of chart-toppers including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia! The group reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with Voyage, their ninth studio album, which topped the UK album charts. Their songs also inspired the musical Mamma Mia!, which began in London in 1999, and became a hit worldwide sensation. It spun off two movies, 2008's Mamma Mia! and 2018's Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Rhyl Journal
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Bjorn Ulvaeus unsure if Abba Voyage will continue if a bandmate dies
Since opening in May 2022, more than three million people have seen the show that brings to life younger versions of the Abba members through digital 'Abba-tars' and a 10-piece live band in a purpose-built arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. The influential pop group, also made up of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson, were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit Waterloo in Brighton in 1974. Asked on Times Radio if the virtual concerts will continue if a member of Abba dies, Ulvaeus told the station: 'That's a question I've never had before… I honestly don't know, hadn't thought about that. 'It's good you raise that question – I'll talk to the others about that as we need to decide beforehand between us if it's OK for all four of us to go on after we're gone.' Faltskog and Ulvaeus married in 1971 before splitting almost a decade later, while Andersson and Lyngstad also married and divorced in 1981, a year before the band broke up. Abba had a string of chart-toppers including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia! The group reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with Voyage, their ninth studio album, which topped the UK album charts. Their songs also inspired the musical Mamma Mia!, which began in London in 1999, and became a hit worldwide sensation. It spun off two movies, 2008's Mamma Mia! and 2018's Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
South Wales Guardian
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Bjorn Ulvaeus unsure if Abba Voyage will continue if a bandmate dies
Since opening in May 2022, more than three million people have seen the show that brings to life younger versions of the Abba members through digital 'Abba-tars' and a 10-piece live band in a purpose-built arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. The influential pop group, also made up of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson, were the first Swedish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit Waterloo in Brighton in 1974. Asked on Times Radio if the virtual concerts will continue if a member of Abba dies, Ulvaeus told the station: 'That's a question I've never had before… I honestly don't know, hadn't thought about that. 'It's good you raise that question – I'll talk to the others about that as we need to decide beforehand between us if it's OK for all four of us to go on after we're gone.' Faltskog and Ulvaeus married in 1971 before splitting almost a decade later, while Andersson and Lyngstad also married and divorced in 1981, a year before the band broke up. Abba had a string of chart-toppers including Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia! The group reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with Voyage, their ninth studio album, which topped the UK album charts. Their songs also inspired the musical Mamma Mia!, which began in London in 1999, and became a hit worldwide sensation. It spun off two movies, 2008's Mamma Mia! and 2018's Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
