alexander rybak bbc eurovision you decide

He won Eurovision 2009 in a landslide with his folk-pop ditty “Fairytale”.

And on Friday producers at the BBC made it clear they are still loving Alexander Rybak, as they announced that he will sing at Eurovision: You Decide — the UK’s national selection for Eurovision 2017.

The final will take place on Friday 27 January and Alexander’s appearance will no doubt help push tickets, which you can purchase here.

The BBC made the announcement via Twitter, generating a great deal of buzz among the Eurovision fandom.

This year’s selection comes a month earlier than the 2016 date, which was held on 26 February 2016. The earlier date will give the UK more time to prepare the winning entry for Kyiv. Fans have previously criticised UK Eurovision entries for having under developed staging concepts.

Eurovision: You Decide will be held at the Eventim Hammersmith Apollo — also the location for the 2015 special Eurovision’s Greatest Hits. This is a change from the 2016 venue, the smaller O2 Forum.

Another change for 2017 will be the broadcast network. The 2016 show was broadcast on BBC Four, a channel known for highbrow arts programming. In 2017 it will move to BBC Two, a more popular channel with mainstream music coverage. Eurovision: You Decide will be broadcast from 7.30pm to 9:00pm.

Ticket prices for the 2017 show are also down from 2016. Tickets for standing areas are £34.25, while seated areas are £37.00. Last year, tickets set back fans £45.00.

The show will again again involve six performers who will compete to represent the UK in Kyiv. The songs will again first be revealed on 23 January on The Ken Bruce Show on BBC Radio 2 – four days before the grand final.

Also returning for 2017 is the show’s host, former Great British Bake Off presenter and Eurovision semi-final commentator Mel Giedroyc. She’ll be joined by an expert panel who’ll sound off about the acts.

Earlier in the year, the BBC held a public song submission period. The shortlisted songs will join those sought from professional songwriters, under the guidance of music executive Hugh Goldsmith. The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) will again select a song from its members.

Last year’s winners of Eurovision: You Decide were the former The Voice singers Joe and Jake. While their song “You’re Not Alone” only placed 24th in Stockholm, fans were encouraged with the BBC’s new attitude towards the selection of their Eurovision entry.

Are you excited that Alexander Rybak is joining the show? Let us know in the comments box below!

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Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

Question: Does anyone know if Joe & Jake will be at the event?

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

Question: Does anyone know if Joe & Jake be at the event?

Marianne Saietz
Marianne Saietz
7 years ago

@Chrissie 🙂 The 2015 album was a part of a musical book-project. If you want the physical album of 3 CDs, you have to buy the book. The music without the book can be downloaded digitally. You are right about the award – my bad! His single “Kotik” was no.1 on Russian radio-charts, but didn´t win awards. If you want to know more, go to http://www.alexanderrybak.com

Chrissie
Chrissie
7 years ago

@Marianne His 2015 album was only in itunes,in internet,i don’ t think you can’t find it in shops,this maybe happens because his previous didn’t sold as his first in 2009.Kotik didn’t win awards,i am a fan of Russian music,i love a lot of singers from Russia so if he had i would know it.His only one award here was in 2010.?

Lily
Lily
7 years ago

Alexander is my favourite musician, and after following his career for the last 7 years, I know he is more than just ‘Fairytale’. He’s written songs for movies. He’s written a book and musical and released albums in English, Norwegian, Swedish and Russian. He is MASSIVELY popular in Turkey, Eastern Europe and Russia, so to actually manage to get him over here is a real coup for the BBC.

It’s sad that he’s getting such negative reactions from fellow Brits. Little wonder it’s hard to persuade him to come here if this is how he’s received. #justsaying

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

It would make more sense to invite Jamala, the recent winner, rather than the guy who won 8 years ago. If the EBU deemed the song as not political than the BBC could do it too.
But I guess he’s cheaper…

I like Fairytale, it’s one of my favourite winners but Rybak’s post Euroviion career hasn’t been that exciting!

Marijke
Marijke
7 years ago

@ Chrissie “A one-hit-wonder”? Didn’t you read Marianne’s comments?
Alexander is a mult-talented artist for many, many years.

Marianne Saietz
Marianne Saietz
7 years ago

@chrissie I forgot one thing: If Alexander sings “Fairytale” at a concert, it is because the organizers want it. Take a look at any other Eurovision-winner and you will probably find, the same thing. If you win the Eurovision, you will always be connected with that song.
You are free and entitled to your opinion, but I hope, you will enjoy Alexanders performance on the show in January. If not – I am sure others will 🙂

Marianne Saietz
Marianne Saietz
7 years ago

@Chrissie – You are wrong, so I will gladly correct you 🙂 His last album was in 2015. He has released lots of singles since that, made music for a Dreamworks-movie, acted – and published a book. He has also spent a lot of his time on composing and making musical seminars for children and young talents. His Russian single “Kotik” (2015) won Russian awards and the video has 48 million views. The “Awards” might be missing, but he can´t keep winning ESC and he has a nice collection of prizes and awards already. I suggest you to study his… Read more »

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7 years ago

@marianne His last album was in 2012(if i am wrong correct me) and in ALL his performances he sing fairytale.So?Plus,I don’t see him win awards for his “new hits'” or make appearances.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

Oh wow! I have been an admirer of his for some time. Amazing! Will be great to see him live.

Marianne Saietz
Marianne Saietz
7 years ago

@Chrissie “A one-hit-wonder”? Just for the record, Alexander is a multitalented artist, who had a busy career already BEFORE he won ESC in 2009! He is a classical trained violinist, composer, teacher, singer, actor and author and he is doing absolutely fine 🙂
I CONGRATULATE You all in United Kingdom, that You will get the chance to enjoy his talent on your national Final – It will be fantastic 🙂

Chrissie
Chrissie
7 years ago

They should bring this year winner Jamala or someone else from 2016 eurovision not some guy who won 10 years ago.And…i feel sorry for Rybak,the only success in his career is Fairytale,he should do something important in his country not only sing in national finals.Hey dude,you are a one hit wonder!!!

Pheonix
Pheonix
7 years ago

It would be nice if the BBC did bother to invite Jamala, otherwise it would have nothing to do with incompatible ‘political statements’, moreover, just another reminder that the BBC have no concept for anything other than purely commercial winners at Eurovision, hence going back to 2009, as Jamala would be beyond their usual, very narrow definition of a Eurovision act and song.

mad-professor
mad-professor
7 years ago

@Sal
Because, until this year, he was the highest-scoring Eurovision winner in history? Bear in mind that he’s probably filling the place Katrina had this year, with Jamala also performing.

Sal
Sal
7 years ago

Why Rybak? He won 7 years ago. Why not a recent winner? If this is who they chose as an interval act then I’m not filled with hope in regards to their song and act selection…

Steve
7 years ago

Great news! I think when he won it marked a turning point in the contest.

Isaac Visser
Isaac Visser
7 years ago

Jamala and ruslana maybe?

Chicken Kyiv?
Chicken Kyiv?
7 years ago

probably asked Jamala but she said no when the BBC made clear she can’t make any political statements.

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

cool. haven’t heard about him in awhile.

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

What will he be performing? New songs or fairytale?