Ben & Tan won the right to represent Denmark at Eurovision 2020. However, today Danish broadcaster DR has confirmed that the duo will not get an automatic spot in next year’s national final, after revealing that Dansk Melodi Grand Prix will return for 2021. Tan has also stated that she and Ben will not attempt to compete in DMGP 2021.

Following the cancellation of Eurovision 2020 over coronavirus precautions, the question on many fans’ minds has been whether winners of this year’s national finals will be internally selected and have the opportunity to go to Eurovision next year.

Sadly, that won’t be the case for Danish duo Ben & Tan, who won Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020 earlier this year with their song “Yes”.

Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021 to be an open selection

Like their Nordic neighbours Sweden, Norway and Finland, Danish public broadcaster DR has confirmed today that its Eurovision national final Dansk Melodi Grand Prix will go ahead in 2021. They also noted that it would be a fresh and open selection, meaning that Ben & Tan would not be given an automatic spot in the final.

DR’s entertainment editor Jan Lagermand Lundme said that the EBU’s alternate programme Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light would be a fitting end to this year’s season and a good way to give Ben & Tan exposure across Europe:

“Only after the corona crisis is over do we start to look at what Dansk Melodi Grand Prix will look like next year. But, as mentioned, we choose to see [Europe Shine A Light] as the end of this year’s [Dansk] Melodi Grand Prix and will start on a fresh one from next year.”

“I understand well if it’s been a mixed game for Ben & Tan and the people behind “Yes”. I’m glad that with the EBU’s great Eurovision programme, we bring the song to life across Europe and get Ben & Tan out to viewers and fans across Europe.”

“It is – in the circumstances – a great way to set the musical score for this year’s [Dansk] Melodi Grand Prix.”

Earlier this week, it was revealed that the national broadcasters from 14 countries had so far agreed to show the EBU’s alternative programme Europe Shine A Light, which will replace the grand final of Eurovision 2020 on 16 May. It is now a definite that Denmark is one of those.

Ben & Tan will not compete in DMGP 2021

Despite initially confirming interest in participating in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021, Ben & Tan have now revealed that they will not be putting themselves forward for the contest again next year.

Speaking to DR, Tanne ‘Tan’ Balcells said that she and Ben would rather leave on a high after winning DMGP 2020, rather than returning next year and potentially losing out:

“I feel we would take the place from some others. After all, we have tried to be part of the show. It must be someone else’s trip next year. That is most fair.”

“And you can run the risk of going again and then lose, and that’s what people remember. So we would rather leave it to victory and then otherwise focus on our music.”

Tan goes on to say that she thought Europe Shine A Light would still allow her and Ben to achieve their goal of showcasing “Yes” to the rest of Europe:

“I think the alternative show sounds like a good idea. It is a great initiative that brings us all together now that we cannot be together in a hall. That way, it doesn’t feel like the show is 100 percent cancelled anyway.”

“That was our goal when we set up for Dansk Melodi Grand Prix. Of course, there are things we would have liked to have done differently on the big Eurovision stage, but on the whole, I’m glad that the song got the accolade it deserves.”

Are you sad that Ben & Tan won’t return to Dansk Melodi Grand Prix in 2021? Do you want to see them at Eurovision at some point in the future? Sound off in the comments.

Read more Denmark Eurovision news here

45 Comments
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eurovisionaire
eurovisionaire
3 years ago

Awh they were my favorite

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
3 years ago

to me it’s ironic how countries that had high chances to end up very high on the scoreboard like lithuania, sweden and denmark are scrapping their 2020 entrants. like, “yes” was 100% gonna be a televote smash in my opinion, oh well.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

They couldn’t do anything about it. It would depend on the song as well. It sucks for those 3 countries + Iceland +Italy.. since all they were going to do very well in televote. but maybe keeping NF will make them competitive again in 2021. It’s complicated and unfair

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago

Best news I’ve heard in a while haha

Africavision
Africavision
3 years ago

I’d love for them to return individually to DMGP in the future, as they seem lovely and deserve their Eurovision shot, but as a duo, it’s a “say no, say no, say no”. These two have absolutely no chemistry with each other whatsoever! When she rests her head on his shoulder, it’s like the most forced and non-spontaneous thing I have ever seen! At Eurovision, I think “Yes” would have had a similar fate to fellow no-chemistry, I-actually-hate-your-ugly-ass-but-we-will-pretend-we-love-one-another-for-these-3-minutes duo, Koite Toome and Laura (Estonia, 2017). No matter how amazing or sweet a duo’s love song is, if there is no… Read more »

GUEST
GUEST
3 years ago

Unfair. 🙁

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
3 years ago

So the two of them already got tired of each other, i see

Anton
Anton
3 years ago

It has nothing to do with that. Stop being a dramaqueen. It´s so gayish

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago
Reply to  Anton

I found the bigot

Gongo
3 years ago

There is a risk that next year will have very bad songs, because some broadcasters choose the same arist. It can’t end well. Im happy that my country have a NF

PP77
PP77
3 years ago
Reply to  Gongo

Bulgaria, Romania, Swizerland had amazing song this year plus Lithuania. I think they will hard to have better song in 2021 then 2020. Azerbaijan can bring better in 2021.

Fatima
Fatima
3 years ago
Reply to  Gongo

I’ve been thinking the same thing Nicky91. And if it does go ahead, we’re going to get song after song about the virus, aren’t we? Another good reason for allowing the 2020 songs to be used again.

KevininDC
KevininDC
3 years ago

I’m sorry to read this news, but after Sweden, Finland and Norway ditched the Mamas, Aksel and Ulrikke I am not surprised. I find people who care more about not skipping one year of National Selections than what is fair to the artists pretty cold-hearted. I really enjoy “Yes,” and it is in my Top Ten this year. It makes me happy when I listen to it. I wish Ben and Tan the best. They are being very gracious about it and deserve much success in the future.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

I wonder if Estonia and the Scandinavians would’ve been so quick to go on about the importance of their national finals taking place if they had had entries that were in with a chance of winning ESC 2020?

Chris
Chris
3 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

And yet Iceland is sticking to their national final due to tradition, despite being high in the odds, and Lithuania have done the same.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
3 years ago
Reply to  Chris

“tradition”… they selected internally in 1999 and 2005 lmao it’s more due to the fact two-thirds of iceland watches songvakeppnin so ruv needs the coins

Chris
Chris
3 years ago

or two thirds of the population watch the show, and RUV doesn’t want to cancel a clearly popular and well loved show? It’s likely very important for the Icelandic local music industry too. My Icelandic friend was quite adamant that cancelling söngvakeppnin would have been wrong. You also pointed to 2 entries from Iceland, from their 32 entries. That’s called an exception to the rule.

MTD
MTD
3 years ago

*EBU’s great Eurovision programme*

That was a joke. Right? Right?

Chris
Chris
3 years ago

And see that comment from them? That’s the correct way to handle the situation. No moaning about how hard done by they’ve been, but accepting the severity of the situation, that the show has been cancelled but that their songs are living on regardless. At first I had sympathy for all artists and songwriters who – just like all of us – were incredibly disappointed the show had to be cancelled. However, the more and more they moan about it while people are literally dying, the less and less sympathy I have for them. Athletes who have been training for… Read more »

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Hear, hear.

Eastman
Eastman
3 years ago

BEN & TAN were put together as a duet to perform YES and they are not even a real romantic couple. So not all that surprising that they don’t want to be stuck performing together for another year.

Eastman
Eastman
3 years ago
Reply to  Eastman

My money is on Tan coming back as a solo artist

sam
sam
3 years ago

thank god. YES! was atrocious

Joseph Shaulov
Joseph Shaulov
3 years ago
Reply to  sam

You know the saying “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all”

sam
sam
3 years ago
Reply to  Joseph Shaulov

it’s constructive. this is nothing in comparison to the amazing song human by jasmin rose and roxorloops. yes…. i say a strong NO

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  sam

Yes won that superfinal with most than 60% (good sign) and Human didn’t even manage to be there.
The most competitive entry won in Denmark even tho we’ll never know

Gongo
3 years ago
Reply to  sam

Why did this get 33 dislikes? He is right, its in my bottom top 5. Annoying happy refrain.

Robert
Robert
3 years ago
Reply to  Gongo

That’s not the point, it’s not whether or not you like the song.. It’s about the fact they won the right for 2020, beat Human, ESC 2020 got canceled, fast forward they can’t compete for 2021.. It’s strange, besides they would’ve sent another song so saying it was in your bottom has no point at all, no use to be so derogatory..

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago
Reply to  Gongo

Ya it’s crap sorry its too happy clappy

percy
percy
3 years ago

Oh my god, Nordics, you’ve gotten rid of 2 of my Top 5 now! Also, surprising that Ben and Tan said no.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

Fair enough, I suppose.

JDS
JDS
3 years ago

Why are so many countries precious about their national finals?

I really do think the EBU should have made national broadcasters offer first refusal for entry in 2021 to the artist chosen for 2020. Simple. If the 2020 singer didn’t want to go in 2021, then have a national selection.

ABC
ABC
3 years ago
Reply to  JDS

Because of the long lasting tradition each NF have on home turf. They gather huge viewing figures, and in some instances larger numbers than ESC.

Even before the cancellation of ESC, several of the non-commercial broadcasters have invested money from license fees and taxes (money that can’t be returned) and made room in the prime time slot several Saturdays in a row. All to make sure to have a NF next year.

Duncan
3 years ago
Reply to  JDS

Because they all want to be like Sweden.

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  JDS

Dansk Melodi Grand Prix is almost as old as ESC itself, going back 1957. Like Melfest and Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix, these national selection shows form an integral part in those broadcasters’ programming schedule, consistently good ratings, and are considered institutions of their respective country’s TV industry.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  James

Denmark and Norway even keep running their MGP junior. Those shows are tradition for them

Robert
Robert
3 years ago

Fresh and open.. My *ss.. When Anja Nissen wanted to come back they didn’t tell her that, gotta say I really dislike broadcasters who make the decision to ignore the 2020 winners for their next National Final, frankly I think they should pick them to represent anyway.. Be human, do the right thing

Eastman
Eastman
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert

Errr… Anja was not given an automatic place in DMGP 2017. She had to enter with her new song and be selected as one of the competiting acts. BEN & TAN have the same option but they’ve chosen not to take it.

Robert
Robert
3 years ago
Reply to  Eastman

So in the pre selection they could’ve dismissed her effort to keep it fresh and open.. Seems like a double standard.. All I’m saying..

I get that Ben & Tan don’t want that actually, they should’ve internally selected period.. Been saying this a 1000 times, be fair..

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

Ben and Tan so no.
So sad.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

If Montaigne was internally selected, even though she won an NF, then why cant the nordics do the same?

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

DMGP – started in 1957, literally the only way Denmark has ever selected their entries.
Australia Decides – started in 2019, after four years of internal selections.

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

And Eurovision started in 1956, yet we’re on a break. Earth wouldn’t explode if they picked ESC entry internally ONCE. They can still host their National contests after all. Just made it clear that in 2021 winner won’t go to Eurovision because of what’s happening now

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Apples and oranges.

Chris
Chris
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Especially important is that DMGP had to be held behind closed doors on its 50th anniversary show this year. For the first time it was back in Copenhagen in a decade. There’s no way they couldn’t have it next year, it would be incredibly sad.