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North Wales Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
BBC Eurovision presenters ‘nervous for Remember Monday before being blown away'
The trio Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele will harmonise on stage at Thursday's second semi-final with their track What The Hell Just Happened?, a celebration of their close-knit friendship developed at Farnborough Sixth Form in Hampshire. The musical theatre stars are the UK's first all-female group act since Precious in 1999, and will hope for a better result than fellow actor and singer Olly Alexander, who came 18th at Malmo in 2024, and Mae Muller who placed second last at Liverpool in 2023. Thursday night's second semi-final at St Jakobshalle in Basel will include performances from some of the countries that have automatic places in Saturday's final, the first time the UK, French singer Louane and German duo Abor & Tynna will be seen on television. Hoping to qualify are October 7 survivor and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who will belt out her Hebrew, French and English language entry New Day Will Rise, and Norwegian singer and Ireland representative Emmy Kristiansen with the song Laika Party, about a Soviet dog sent to space. Thursday's second semi-final marks the first time in Basel that UK audiences at home can vote on under Eurovision rules. Speaking to the PA news agency near the Eurovision Village in Basel, Switzerland on Thursday, BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson said: 'I was in the arena yesterday, and I was genuinely blown away when they played the little (video) before, I was a little bit nervous. 'I imagine, like you're watching a family member do like a performance, like in the school assembly or something like that. 'But as soon as they started singing, their vocals are just incredible. You're blown away by how good they are, and they use every bit of the stage as well as great prompt.' The Brummie presenter, 37, also said the group's West End training comes in handy, as they 'hit every camera' so audiences at home will feel like 'they're performing just for you. It feels like quite an intimate performance'. Agreeing with her co-presenter, Radio 2 star Sara Cox said that 'they're a tight knit friendship group' who 'shine' on stage. Remember Monday are set to perform after acts including Australia's Go-Jo (Marty Zambotto) with the tongue-in-cheek Milkshake Man and Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch), who is among the competition favourites with song Wasted Love. Last year, Ireland – which holds a record seven wins with Sweden – came sixth with Bambie Thug's witchy Doomsday Blue, the first time the country had made the final since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in Lisbon in 2018. It is hoped Kristiansen can replicate the result on Thursday, but she faces strong competition from Finland singer Erika Vikman's energetic Ich Komme, Malta's Miriana Conte with the pride-filled Serving, and Czechia's dramatic song Kiss Kiss Goodbye, from Adonxs – a Slovakian singer who studied in London. Cox, 50, praised Conte, saying it is 'rare for me when there's a song that is a banger, and I would listen to that in my leisure time'. She added: 'It's giving a little bit of sort of Cardi B or a little bit of Doja Cat, she's full of attitude, so I'm super excited about her tonight.' Once all the acts have performed, the voting will begin with those countries being able to cast their votes for their favourites, and 10 contestants going through to the final on Saturday. In the final, qualifiers will also face Sweden representative's Kaj with their entry Bara Bada Bastu, about Nordic sauna culture, Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato, among others. On Thursday evening, a demonstration against antisemitism took place in Munsterplatz, near the city centre, with about a hundred protesters in attendance. They waved Israeli flags as they showed their support for Raphael. This followed pro-Palestinian protests in Basel on Sunday and Wednesday – which appeared smaller when compared to Malmo 2024, which saw thousands of pro-Palestinian marchers. The Grand Final on Saturday will also see reigning champion Switzerland perform, who as the host country are guaranteed a slot after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year. British audiences can listen to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds for live semi-final coverage with Cox and Anderson, and on Saturday Rylan Clark and Scott Mills take over as co-presenters for the final. TV coverage for the semi-finals is provided by Clark and Mills, while Irish talk show host Graham Norton returns for the final on Saturday on BBC One at 8pm BST.
Leader Live
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
BBC Eurovision presenters ‘nervous for Remember Monday before being blown away'
The trio Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele will harmonise on stage at Thursday's second semi-final with their track What The Hell Just Happened?, a celebration of their close-knit friendship developed at Farnborough Sixth Form in Hampshire. The musical theatre stars are the UK's first all-female group act since Precious in 1999, and will hope for a better result than fellow actor and singer Olly Alexander, who came 18th at Malmo in 2024, and Mae Muller who placed second last at Liverpool in 2023. Thursday night's second semi-final at St Jakobshalle in Basel will include performances from some of the countries that have automatic places in Saturday's final, the first time the UK, French singer Louane and German duo Abor & Tynna will be seen on television. Hoping to qualify are October 7 survivor and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who will belt out her Hebrew, French and English language entry New Day Will Rise, and Norwegian singer and Ireland representative Emmy Kristiansen with the song Laika Party, about a Soviet dog sent to space. Thursday's second semi-final marks the first time in Basel that UK audiences at home can vote on under Eurovision rules. Speaking to the PA news agency near the Eurovision Village in Basel, Switzerland on Thursday, BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson said: 'I was in the arena yesterday, and I was genuinely blown away when they played the little (video) before, I was a little bit nervous. 'I imagine, like you're watching a family member do like a performance, like in the school assembly or something like that. 'But as soon as they started singing, their vocals are just incredible. You're blown away by how good they are, and they use every bit of the stage as well as great prompt.' The Brummie presenter, 37, also said the group's West End training comes in handy, as they 'hit every camera' so audiences at home will feel like 'they're performing just for you. It feels like quite an intimate performance'. Agreeing with her co-presenter, Radio 2 star Sara Cox said that 'they're a tight knit friendship group' who 'shine' on stage. Remember Monday are set to perform after acts including Australia's Go-Jo (Marty Zambotto) with the tongue-in-cheek Milkshake Man and Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch), who is among the competition favourites with song Wasted Love. Last year, Ireland – which holds a record seven wins with Sweden – came sixth with Bambie Thug's witchy Doomsday Blue, the first time the country had made the final since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in Lisbon in 2018. It is hoped Kristiansen can replicate the result on Thursday, but she faces strong competition from Finland singer Erika Vikman's energetic Ich Komme, Malta's Miriana Conte with the pride-filled Serving, and Czechia's dramatic song Kiss Kiss Goodbye, from Adonxs – a Slovakian singer who studied in London. Cox, 50, praised Conte, saying it is 'rare for me when there's a song that is a banger, and I would listen to that in my leisure time'. She added: 'It's giving a little bit of sort of Cardi B or a little bit of Doja Cat, she's full of attitude, so I'm super excited about her tonight.' Once all the acts have performed, the voting will begin with those countries being able to cast their votes for their favourites, and 10 contestants going through to the final on Saturday. In the final, qualifiers will also face Sweden representative's Kaj with their entry Bara Bada Bastu, about Nordic sauna culture, Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato, among others. On Thursday evening, a demonstration against antisemitism took place in Munsterplatz, near the city centre, with about a hundred protesters in attendance. They waved Israeli flags as they showed their support for Raphael. This followed pro-Palestinian protests in Basel on Sunday and Wednesday – which appeared smaller when compared to Malmo 2024, which saw thousands of pro-Palestinian marchers. The Grand Final on Saturday will also see reigning champion Switzerland perform, who as the host country are guaranteed a slot after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year. British audiences can listen to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds for live semi-final coverage with Cox and Anderson, and on Saturday Rylan Clark and Scott Mills take over as co-presenters for the final. TV coverage for the semi-finals is provided by Clark and Mills, while Irish talk show host Graham Norton returns for the final on Saturday on BBC One at 8pm BST.
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC commentators admit to being 'nervous' about UK band's Eurovision performance
Remember Monday are the first all-female band to represent the UK at Eurovision since 1999 as they gear up to perform in Switzerland The BBC's own commentators have confessed they were feeling "nervous" ahead of the UK's Eurovision 2025 semi-final performance – but the trio on stage soon 'blew them away'. Country trio Remember Monday are the UK's hope for Eurovision glory this year. The band, which is made up of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull, and Charlotte Steele, will be performing their folky track What The Hell Just Happened? during Thursday night's second semi-final in Basel, Switzerland. All three singers became friends at Farnborough Sixth Form in Hampshire, and are now set to make history as the first all-female UK group to represent the country since Precious in 1999. BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson admitted to feeling on edge before seeing their final rehearsal when interviewed by PA near the Eurovision Village on Thursday (May 15). He shared: "I was a little bit nervous. It's like when a family member is about to do a school assembly performance – you're excited, but also so protective. But as soon as they started singing, their vocals were just incredible." Andrew praised the group's "mind blowing" use of the stage, adding that their West End background as musical theatre stars had prepared them well for putting on a well-rehearsed show. The presenter continued: "They hit every camera, so it feels like they're performing just for you – it's very intimate." Fellow Radio 2 host Sara Cox agreed with him, referring to Remember Monday a "tight-knit friendship group" who "shine" when they're on stage. The UK will perform among a wide range of acts on Thursday night, including Austria's JJ with the fan-favourite Wasted Love, Norway's Emmy Kristiansen (performing for Ireland) with the quirky Laika Party, and Israel 's Yuval Raphael, who will deliver her emotional ballad New Day Will Rise after surviving the Nova Festival attack on October 7. Tonight marks the first time UK audiences are allowed to vote in the semi-final under Eurovision rules, and Remember Monday will be hoping to fare better than recent UK entries. Actor Olly Alexander came 18th last year in Malmö with zero points from judges, while Mae Muller finished second-last in Liverpool the year before. Other standouts in the semi-final include Australia 's Go-Jo and his cheeky number Milkshake Man, Finland's Erika Vikman with her high-energy track Ich Komme, and Malta's Miriana Conte, whose entry Serving has been compared to hits by to Cardi B and Doja Cat. Sara Cox shared her thoughts on Conte's performance, gushing: "It's rare for me to hear a song that's a total banger and think, 'Yeah, I'd listen to that in my own time.' She's full of attitude – I'm super excited about her tonight." Ten acts from tonight's semi-final will advance to Saturday's Grand Final, where they'll join automatic qualifiers including host country Switzerland, whose act Nemo is returning after last year's victory, as well as France's Louane, Germany's Abor & Tynna, and Sweden's Kaj, whose track Bara Bada Bastu is a love letter to Nordic sauna culture. Eurovision fans in the UK can listen to live coverage on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds with Anderson and Cox, while the semi-finals will be covered on TV by Rylan Clark and Scott Mills. Graham Norton will return for the Grand Final on BBC One this Saturday at 8pm BST. The Eurovision Song Contest continues with the second semi-final on Thursday, May 15 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The Grand Final will take place on Saturday, May 17 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
South Wales Guardian
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
BBC Eurovision presenters ‘nervous for Remember Monday before being blown away'
The trio Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele will harmonise on stage at Thursday's second semi-final with their track What The Hell Just Happened?, a celebration of their close-knit friendship developed at Farnborough Sixth Form in Hampshire. The musical theatre stars are the UK's first all-female group act since Precious in 1999, and will hope for a better result than fellow actor and singer Olly Alexander, who came 18th at Malmo in 2024, and Mae Muller who placed second last at Liverpool in 2023. Thursday night's second semi-final at St Jakobshalle in Basel will include performances from some of the countries that have automatic places in Saturday's final, the first time the UK, French singer Louane and German duo Abor & Tynna will be seen on television. Hoping to qualify are October 7 survivor and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who will belt out her Hebrew, French and English language entry New Day Will Rise, and Norwegian singer and Ireland representative Emmy Kristiansen with the song Laika Party, about a Soviet dog sent to space. Thursday's second semi-final marks the first time in Basel that UK audiences at home can vote on under Eurovision rules. Speaking to the PA news agency near the Eurovision Village in Basel, Switzerland on Thursday, BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson said: 'I was in the arena yesterday, and I was genuinely blown away when they played the little (video) before, I was a little bit nervous. 'I imagine, like you're watching a family member do like a performance, like in the school assembly or something like that. 'But as soon as they started singing, their vocals are just incredible. You're blown away by how good they are, and they use every bit of the stage as well as great prompt.' The Brummie presenter, 37, also said the group's West End training comes in handy, as they 'hit every camera' so audiences at home will feel like 'they're performing just for you. It feels like quite an intimate performance'. Agreeing with her co-presenter, Radio 2 star Sara Cox said that 'they're a tight knit friendship group' who 'shine' on stage. Remember Monday are set to perform after acts including Australia's Go-Jo (Marty Zambotto) with the tongue-in-cheek Milkshake Man and Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch), who is among the competition favourites with song Wasted Love. Last year, Ireland – which holds a record seven wins with Sweden – came sixth with Bambie Thug's witchy Doomsday Blue, the first time the country had made the final since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in Lisbon in 2018. It is hoped Kristiansen can replicate the result on Thursday, but she faces strong competition from Finland singer Erika Vikman's energetic Ich Komme, Malta's Miriana Conte with the pride-filled Serving, and Czechia's dramatic song Kiss Kiss Goodbye, from Adonxs – a Slovakian singer who studied in London. Cox, 50, praised Conte, saying it is 'rare for me when there's a song that is a banger, and I would listen to that in my leisure time'. She added: 'It's giving a little bit of sort of Cardi B or a little bit of Doja Cat, she's full of attitude, so I'm super excited about her tonight.' Once all the acts have performed, the voting will begin with those countries being able to cast their votes for their favourites, and 10 contestants going through to the final on Saturday. In the final, qualifiers will also face Sweden representative's Kaj with their entry Bara Bada Bastu, about Nordic sauna culture, Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato, among others. The Grand Final on Saturday will also see reigning champion Switzerland perform, who as the host country are guaranteed a slot after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year. British audiences can listen to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds for live semi-final coverage with Cox and Anderson, and on Saturday Rylan Clark and Scott Mills take over as co-presenters for the final. TV coverage for the semi-finals is provided by Clark and Mills, while Irish talk show host Graham Norton returns for the final on Saturday on BBC One at 8pm BST.
South Wales Argus
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
BBC Eurovision presenters ‘nervous for Remember Monday before being blown away'
The trio Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele will harmonise on stage at Thursday's second semi-final with their track What The Hell Just Happened?, a celebration of their close-knit friendship developed at Farnborough Sixth Form in Hampshire. The musical theatre stars are the UK's first all-female group act since Precious in 1999, and will hope for a better result than fellow actor and singer Olly Alexander, who came 18th at Malmo in 2024, and Mae Muller who placed second last at Liverpool in 2023. Sarah Cox said Remember Monday were a 'tight knit friendship group' who 'shine on stage' (Ian West/PA) Thursday night's second semi-final at St Jakobshalle in Basel will include performances from some of the countries that have automatic places in Saturday's final, the first time the UK, French singer Louane and German duo Abor & Tynna will be seen on television. Hoping to qualify are October 7 survivor and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who will belt out her Hebrew, French and English language entry New Day Will Rise, and Norwegian singer and Ireland representative Emmy Kristiansen with the song Laika Party, about a Soviet dog sent to space. Thursday's second semi-final marks the first time in Basel that UK audiences at home can vote on under Eurovision rules. Speaking to the PA news agency near the Eurovision Village in Basel, Switzerland on Thursday, BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson said: 'I was in the arena yesterday, and I was genuinely blown away when they played the little (video) before, I was a little bit nervous. 'I imagine, like you're watching a family member do like a performance, like in the school assembly or something like that. Ireland representative Emmy Kristiansen will be hoping to qualify with the song Laika Party (Martin Meissner/AP) 'But as soon as they started singing, their vocals are just incredible. You're blown away by how good they are, and they use every bit of the stage as well as great prompt.' The Brummie presenter, 37, also said the group's West End training comes in handy, as they 'hit every camera' so audiences at home will feel like 'they're performing just for you. It feels like quite an intimate performance'. Agreeing with her co-presenter, Radio 2 star Sara Cox said that 'they're a tight knit friendship group' who 'shine' on stage. Remember Monday are set to perform after acts including Australia's Go-Jo (Marty Zambotto) with the tongue-in-cheek Milkshake Man and Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch), who is among the competition favourites with song Wasted Love. Last year, Ireland – which holds a record seven wins with Sweden – came sixth with Bambie Thug's witchy Doomsday Blue, the first time the country had made the final since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in Lisbon in 2018. It is hoped Kristiansen can replicate the result on Thursday, but she faces strong competition from Finland singer Erika Vikman's energetic Ich Komme, Malta's Miriana Conte with the pride-filled Serving, and Czechia's dramatic song Kiss Kiss Goodbye, from Adonxs – a Slovakian singer who studied in London. Cox, 50, praised Conte, saying it is 'rare for me when there's a song that is a banger, and I would listen to that in my leisure time'. She added: 'It's giving a little bit of sort of Cardi B or a little bit of Doja Cat, she's full of attitude, so I'm super excited about her tonight.' Once all the acts have performed, the voting will begin with those countries being able to cast their votes for their favourites, and 10 contestants going through to the final on Saturday. In the final, qualifiers will also face Sweden representative's Kaj with their entry Bara Bada Bastu, about Nordic sauna culture, Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato, among others. Go-Jo from Australia at Eurovision (Martin Meissner/AP) The Grand Final on Saturday will also see reigning champion Switzerland perform, who as the host country are guaranteed a slot after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year. British audiences can listen to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds for live semi-final coverage with Cox and Anderson, and on Saturday Rylan Clark and Scott Mills take over as co-presenters for the final. TV coverage for the semi-finals is provided by Clark and Mills, while Irish talk show host Graham Norton returns for the final on Saturday on BBC One at 8pm BST.
