Who is Sam Ryder? Meet UK Eurovision 2022 entry

Ryder will be singing his song Space Man and, despite the UK’s bad track record, it looks like he might actually be in with a chance (seriously).

As it stands, the Eurovision odds place Ukraine as the strongest country for the 66th Song Contest, with the UK's Sam Ryder not far behind in third place. Given last year's performance, in which we came last, we'd be happy with that!

But Ryder is trying to ignore the speculation.

"I don't want to get to a point where I start believing the hype," he told the BBC. "I just want to do everyone proud, and do the best job I possibly can."

A former construction worker, Ryder became a huge sensation on TikTok during the pandemic by sharing clips of song covers, with stars like Justin Bieber, Sia and Alicia Keys reposting his videos.

As Ryder gets ready to take to the stage in the Eurovision 2022 final, here's everything you need to know about him.

Who is UK Eurovision 2022 entry Sam Ryder?

Name: Sam Ryder

Age: 31

Instagram: @samhairwolfryder

Twitter: @samhairwolfryde

TikTok star Sam Ryder is representing the UK at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place on May 14th in Turin, Italy.

The 31-year-old singer and songwriter, born in Essex, is one of the UK's most followed singers on TikTok, acquiring over 12 million followers. He amassed a huge social media following during lockdown, performing covers of hit songs which caught the attention of Justin Bieber, Sia and Alicia Keys.

In 2020, he became TikTok's most viewed UK artist, and has since singed to record label Parlophone to launch his solo career.

News that Ryder would be taking part in Eurovision 2022 was announced by Scott Mills on Radio One Breakfast with Greg James, with Ryder's Space Man previously featuring on Scott Mills' Afternoon Show as his Tune of the Week.

In a statement to Eurovision TV, Ryder said: "Having been a fan of Eurovision since I was a kid I am so honoured to have been presented with the opportunity to sing at an event alongside some of Europe's most talented creatives, performers and songwriters.

"I hope to sing my head off in a way the UK can be proud of, and to showcase a song I wrote with my friends last summer makes the whole experience even more special. See you in Turin legends!"

The UK has placed last at the last two Eurovision contests (2021, and 2019, as 2020 was cancelled due the pandemic) but Ryder won't let that influence his frame of mind or performance.

"I don't want to let the stigma or fear of coming at a certain place in a table stop me from doing something and being a part of something that I enjoy so much," he told the BBC.

"As long as I can go to Eurovision and know in my heart of hearts I'm going to do the best job I can then everything else is out of my control."

Why does the UK's Eurovision 2022 entry go straight through to the final?

The UK is part of the Big Five, who automatically go straight through to the final.

Formerly known as the Big Four, before Italy rejoined the competition in 2011, The Big Five is made up of countries who make the biggest financial contributions to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). It comprises the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain and France.

What is the UK's Eurovision 2022 song called?

Sam Ryder will perform Space Man at the 2022 Eurovision contest, which he co-wrote with Grammy winning songwriter Amy Wadge and Max Wolfgang.

Radio 1 presenter and BBC Three Eurovision semi-final host Scott Mills said: "Eurovision has become a whole new ball game in the past five years and contestants need to arrive as the whole package.

"You can't simply have a good song. You need to connect with viewers when you look down the camera lens. Sam Ryder has nailed this already on TikTok. A "good" performance is no longer enough either. It needs to blow people's minds."

The song is out now.

Where did the UK come in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest?

James Newman represented the UK at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest with his song Embers. Sadly, it received the unenviable "nil points", placing last in the competition.

2019 didn't fare much better either, with Michael Rice coming bottom in 2019 with his ballad Bigger Than Us.

The 2020 Eurovision Contest was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Måneskin won the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest for Italy with their song Zitti E Buoni.

When is Eurovision 2022?

The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Turin, Italy on Saturday 14th May, following Måneskin's win in Rotterdam.

BBC One will be broadcasting live coverage of the event, while Graham Norton commentates.

The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest will air on the BBC on Saturday 14th May – listen to all of this year's Eurovision songs on TIDAL, while the full album of tracks is also available on CD and vinyl now.

If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide or visit our dedicated Entertainment hub.

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