TikTok star Sam Ryder to represent UK at Eurovision 2022 with ‘Spaceman’
The TikTok star will be flying the flag in Turin
By Nick Reilly
TikTok star Sam Ryder has been confirmed as the UK’s entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The singer, who found fame on the platform at the start of 2020, will head to Turin to perform his recent single ‘Space Man’, which was written with frequent Ed Sheeran collaborator Amy Wadge.
Ryder received widespread acclaim after he began posting on the platform at the start of lockdown and went on to be named TikTok’s most popular artist account at the end of 2020.
He has also won the support of Justin Bieber, Sia and Alicia Keys, who posted her own video reacting to Sam’s cover of her song ‘If I Ain’t Got You’.
Sam 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!”
Sam’s selection comes after TaP Music co-founders Ben Mawson and Ed Millett, who previously managed Dua Lipa, were tasked with picking the UK act.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is truly a cultural phenomenon and an amazing opportunity – with 200 million viewers – for the right performer,” they said.
“As well as Sam having an amazing voice – SPACE MAN is an instant song that we’re confident will really connect. Not to mention he’s also an extremely likeable and engaging character – as evidenced by his TikTok following.”
Mark Mitchell and Nick Burgess, Co-Presidents, Parlophone Records said: “We are genuinely proud and excited to have our own Sam Ryder as the UK’s entry for Eurovision. In Sam, we are putting forward an artist with an incredible voice and a hugely infectious and unique personality. Combined with an amazing song in ‘SPACE MAN’, we have huge confidence that he will deliver an iconic moment for the UK at this year’s show.
“Through his massive social media following we can see he already connects with fans from all over Europe. With Sam, Parlophone and TaP Music on board, and working alongside the BBC, there’s a new sense of energy and credibility around the UK’s involvement in Eurovision.”
The Eurovision Grand Final takes place on May 14.