Singer/songwriter/actor Olly Alexander will represent the UK at the 68th Eurovision Songcontest, to be held in Malmo, Sweden next May.
The Years & Years frontman revealed the news live on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing Grand Final on Saturday night.
In a statement, the openly gay star explained that he has been a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest since he was a child.
Olly said: “I’ve loved watching Eurovision since I was a little kid and I’m more than excited to be taking part next year. As a young boy I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion and humor”.
The Eurovision song, written by the 33-year-old together with Danny L Harle, will be revealed closer to the competition. However, he promised to “fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible.”
This year’s event was held in Liverpool, as war-torn Ukraine was unable to host after Kalush Orchestra won 2022. The final was won by Sweden’s Loreen. Loreen had already won in 2012.
Eurovision will take place on May 7, 9 and 11, 2024 for the semi-finals and grand final.