On Sunday, SVT announced that Thorsten Flinck had been disqualified from the upcoming second semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2020 in Gothenburg, as the singer was “currently charged criminally with unlawful threat and vandalism”. Now, the broadcaster has confirmed that Jan Johansen will replace Flinck this coming Saturday.

Johansen is a well established Swedish singer, having previously competed four times at Melodifestivalen. He will perform the same song that Flinck was originally scheduled to sing –  “Miraklernas tid” (The time of miracles), written by Thomas G:son – in Saturday’s second semi-final.

On selecting the veteran performer as Flinck’s replacement, Melfest contest producer Karin Gunnarsson notes:

“I’m very thankful that Jan has agreed on such short notice. I’m convinced that he will perform a beautiful version of “Miraklernas tid”.”

Who is Jan Johansen?

Jan Johansen is a veteran Swedish performer, with four previous Melodifestivalen entries under his belt.

He first entered the contest in 1995 with the song “Se på mig” (Look at me), and went on to win. He then represented Sweden at Eurovision that year, finishing in third place.

Johansen returned to Melfest in three consecutive years between 2001 and 2003. In 2001, he sung “Ingenmansland” (No-man’s land), which finished in fourth place. His 2002 entry “Sista andetaget” (Last second) came in seventh place.

In 2003, he teamed up with Pernilla Wahlgren for the duet “Let Your Spirit Fly”. The two singers came in second place.

Those who were watching the first semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2020 last Saturday may remember he appeared in the interval act and sung alongside host Linnea Henriksson.

Why was Thorsten Flinck disqualified?

On Sunday, broadcaster SVT has disqualified the provocative performer Thorsten Flinck from the upcoming second semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2020. SVT says the artist has been “currently charged criminally with unlawful threat and vandalism”.

Melodifestivalen project manager Anette Helenius confirmed Flinck’s disqualification, saying:

“We deeply regret this. We really wanted to see Thorsten Flinck on the stage of Melodifestivalen on Saturday. But because he is in the middle of an ongoing legal process, we cannot allow Thorsten Flinck to participate as a competitor.”

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet report that the charges were brought against Flinck before Christmas, though a court date has not yet been set. The paper says it is not known why SVT made the decision to disqualify Flinck less than one week before his semi-final.

Flinck was due to perform “Miraklernas tid” (The time of miracles) in next weekend’s semi-final in Gothenburg. The song itself remains in Melodifestivalen 2020.

Melodifestivalen rules make it clear that the song is what is entered in the contest and give SVT the right to change performers.

What do you think of this news? Are you excited to see Jan Johansen perform on Saturday? Let us know in the comments.

Read more Melodifestivalen news here

18 Comments
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horrified
horrified
4 years ago

So how did they pick him. Friend of Christer? Member of the socialdemocratic party?

Per
Per
4 years ago
Reply to  horrified

No he is a really good singer and represented Sweden in ESC 1995 and came in 3rd place…they probably chose him since he was part of the interval act last week and he surely knows the songwriter really well as well

Ugnius
Ugnius
4 years ago

So on Saturday we will see Jan Johanssen competing against Johanna Jansson.

The diversity of Swedish names ! 😀

horrified
horrified
4 years ago
Reply to  Ugnius

Johansen is not swedish.

srulik
srulik
4 years ago

Weird…they should have done that before the contest started. He may gain support from this and pass through.

Patrick
Patrick
4 years ago

Se pa mit was just beautiful in 1995!

Ana
Ana
4 years ago

Yay they found their middle aged celebrity man…i told you so!

Denis
Denis
4 years ago

Not sure if it’s better..
Most likely he will sing the same song like his all his previous entries. Yawn! He will take the Sonja Aldén route..

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago

hey does anyone know when Czech Republic’s entry is revealed, like what time

Dieghipedia
Dieghipedia
4 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

18.00 CET on their FB page!

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago
Reply to  Dieghipedia

yeee im excited thx

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

I knew it was going to be Jan, seeing as he was hanging around on Saturday night anyway. Good luck to him!

Marie
Marie
4 years ago

He deserves a song written for him, but ok. This could lead to some thing else another year.

NickC
NickC
4 years ago

Se pa mig is one of my all time fave esc songs. I am so happy to see him again on stage. #legend

Geo
Geo
4 years ago

It won’t pass into the final or A.C, so why bothering for a dull, boring, outdated song as it seems to be, if these old men were the singers? Meh…

BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
4 years ago
Reply to  Geo

old men are the best. ask lana del rey

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Geo

you again. Why are you here? The 21st comment in a row you have written about anything swedish that is Negative. You dont know the word diversity. I can see that you dont know very much because Jan Johansen have a great voice and came 3rd in ESC 1995 and 2nd in MF 2003. So your comment is just simply stupid

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

Your just 100% hate. i wont talk to you know more and will scroll over your comments so i cant see them.