Sam Ryder

The Essex singer is the most popular British musician on TikTok with 12m followers. Wielding a big-budget stage show and even bigger song, he explains why ...

Yet the question remains: could an impressive entry and a humbler approach to marketing really override what often seems like an ingrained negative attitude towards the UK from our European neighbours – one that can have only been compounded by Brexit? “People have said it’s all political,” says an unconvinced Mawson. “We’ll find out on Saturday whether it really is.” For his part, Ryder is sure the idea that we’re intrinsically unpopular is all in our heads: at no point in his Eurovision journey has he experienced any negativity. I think it’s important that it uses that platform to show solidarity to Ukraine – I know myself and all the other entrants are doing exactly the same.” “People are generally really lovely and this stigma that we carry at home that the UK isn’t liked is something we choose to repeat – it’s nothing more than a negative thought pattern,” he insists. He advised them to “get out there, go to all these countries, show them you’re likeable and you aren’t an arrogant Brit,” says Mawson. “It was thinking about it like a political campaign as much as a music campaign.” One strategy involved targeting specific countries. “I don’t think it can be used to canvass for votes in an obvious way – it’s way less sales-y than any other platform, so I can’t say if it will make much difference.” According to Ryder, his staging will be “pointy, flashy and metallic”. His set features a huge metal structure – reportedly the biggest prop in this year’s competition. Instead they recommended something “very instant” that “would deliver on a one-listen”. The immediacy of Ryder’s song and his show-stopping voice meant he was chosen over some well-established artists that record companies pitched to the pair – including one who had recently scored a No 1 album. The pair believed the UK was wasting an opportunity to showcase a promising artist to a huge global audience. “We’re flattered, but it’s just a number, so let’s not get hyped,” he says, sporting his trademark grin. Ryder, has been gearing up for the final in Turin on Saturday – mainly by trying to avoid catching Covid or a cold. The UK hasn’t had a good Eurovision for a long time, but last year’s contest was woeful even by our own low standards. “You don’t want to be getting on that stage in front of 200 million people with a scratchy throat,” he says.

Ben Mawson from Dua Lipa's TaP Management on selecting Sam Ryder as the UK's 2022 Eurovision entry, his lyrics, chances of winning & politics.

“They tend to treat it as a one-off TV opportunity, but in reality, with the right approach, an artist can do really well out of it. “He quickly got over it, but he was briefly nervous about the history, the context and if he was bound to be doomed whatever he did,” said Mawson. “He soon realised that he loved singing and wanted to enjoy himself in front of a huge audience. He added: “Politics is still very prevalent, and Brexit certainly hasn’t helped the perception of us. We had a lot of learning to do.” This will be just one bit of a very long career for Sam. How he does on the scoreboard is important, but what we want more is for him to be taken on to another level. “Remove the music element and presume it’s political, Sam is charming and likeable. And, finally, we needed a label who were willing to back it, because they ultimately fund the staging.” A certain type of song with a certain structure to really work in three minutes was essential. We got to thinking about what that was.” I was intrigued by the whole thing and why it was going so wrong. We’re one of the homes of some of the best pop music of all time. Is it political, or is there more to it than that?’”

The 32-year-old singer - who shot to fame in lockdown on social media app TikTok - is set to represent the UK at the final of Eurovision Song Contest on ...

The 32-year-old singer - who shot to fame in lockdown on social media app TikTok - is set to represent the UK at the final of Eurovision Song Contest on ...

The front woman, 62, admitted that although Sam's 'Viking looks' might work in this favour, the vote will be political.

So that I can breathe in every moment.' Taking part: She added: 'I'd never seen the competition before I knew I was doing it. 'I'd never seen the competition before I knew I was doing it. But I mean the song sounds great, he looks fabulous. 'He does have that Viking look so I think it will work for him in the show. Sam will take to the stage to present the UK with his song Space Man at Eurovision 2022, and in a surprise development he's currently second-favourite.

With just a day to go, the UK's entry in this year's competition has reached second place in the bookies favourites.

His song reflects positivity which the artist continues to exude through his upbeat look on life. Space Man imagines what it’s like to be an astronaut blasting into space and how the world would look like. The grand final is set to take place tomorrow, Saturday May 14, with Sam Ryder being announced to perform 22nd in line out of 25 countries.

The Brit co-wrote his Eurovision entry with Grammy winning songwriter Amy Wadge (Ed Sheeran, Thinking Out Loud) and Max Wolfgang. You can watch the Eurovision ...

Falkirk Live brings you the latest headlines from Falkirk and beyond. You can watch the Eurovision Grand Final on BBC One, May 14 from 8pm. How to get the latest news from Falkirk Live

The 31-year-old singing sensation has built up a whopping 12 million followers on TikTok after entertaining fans with rousing covers of the Adele, Michael ...

The story tells of a broken-hearted man who compares his adoration of his partner to gravity and black holes, from the perspective of an astronaut drifting around in space. He was announced as this year's UK representative last month - and is now among the favourites to win. Essex-born singer Sam Ryder has been named the bookies' second favourite to win the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 - up from previous odds.

Eurovision hopeful Sam Ryder 'absolutely believes' in aliens and is confident that some time "soon" everybody will be able to go into outer space.

I've just met the astronaut Andre Kuipers and he was talking about how it will definteily soon be possible for us all [to go up into space] soon." He said: "I absolutely believe in aliens. Apparently, there are a lot of UFO sightings around there."

The Eurovision Song Contest 2022 running order has been confirmed and UK star Sam Ryder has reason to celebrate a favourable draw for Turin.

Over the last two decades, the number 19 has also provided two champions – Azerbaijan in 2011 and Greece in 2005 – while 17 (Sweden in 2012, Serbia in 2007 and Finland in 2006) is the only number to result in more winners. He’ll be the 22nd artist to take to the stage as part of the competition, nestled in between Australia’s Sheldon Riley, who is performing Not The Same, and Poland’s Ochman with River. The grand final takes place on Saturday night (May 14) in Turin, Italy with UK entry Sam Ryder hoping to shine in the midst of all the wonderfully over the top glitz and glamour.