Social media is abuzz with the rumour that Olly Murs will be representing the United Kingdom at Eurovision next year. But where did this rumour come from? And is there any truth to it? Wiwibloggs investigates.
The rumour can be traced to a tiny 13-word entry in this week’s Popbitch newsletter:
Popbitch are genuine Eurovision fans and their sources for showbiz gossip are pretty reliable, but what does this item really mean? Does it mean that Olly and the BBC have inked a deal and he’s in the studio recording his 2016 song? Or does it just mean that someone at the BBC randomly said, “Hey, Olly Murs looks a bit like Måns Zelmerlöw. We should ask him if he’ll do it.”
Olly says no
And let’s not forget – Olly has previously outright rejected the idea of doing Eurovision. As recently as May, shortly after Electro Velvet’s disappointing placing, BBC Eurovision commentator Scott Mills suggested that Olly would be ideal to represent the UK. Digital Spy then asked Olly if he’d consider it. His response:
“Not that I wouldn’t do it, but I think it’s always something I’ve found… new artists normally do it. Not for me Scott, unfortunately.“
So while he didn’t rule it out entirely, it seems very unlikely that Eurovision is something Olly would want (or need) to do at this point in his career. He is already a successful international pop artist and isn’t especially in need of the boost that Eurovision could give him. Olly is also busy with his new role as co-presenter of The X Factor.
But even if it’s not likely that Olly Murs will represent the UK at Eurovision, he’s still top of our wishlist and is a favourite with wiwibloggs readers. And after all, Olly and his song “Wrapped Up” came fifth place in Wiwivision 2015!
Photo credit: Modest Management
Please let it be a national song selection again BBC! and allow online voting. BBC needs to research on how other countries choose their song entries and how they stage their performances!
Well, I have to say that San Marino has sent top quality song(s) to the ESC, better than UK songs. I found Electro velvet to be pretty interesting and nice. But I do agree that UK deserves a good representative. Their Last good representative I can remember could be Blue, but I don’t see anything wrong with Molly or Elvelvet.
But UK needs to make more effort.
You don’t need big stars… Is not difficult for the UK to choose something better than this year… ¬¬
The UK deserves a good artist & song.
Molly was great, Electro Velvet… no comments. After Eurovision they were doing crowdfunding… and they left xD, wow big future.
How can that group represent a big country like yours??? You are not San Marino, is just a shame…
Please no.
@ian-from-the-philippines I agree. We have this every year the rumour mill goes on and on. How often has it been someone that is current and has a massive career going? No one. Stop dreaming people, this is not going to happen. So you need think what needs to happen realistically, for the UK to win. Like you said though, having a well known name is not going to make you win. You need a good song, people in the eurovision world we end up knowing who you are. I don’t agree with the ” ‘johnny foreigner’ style commentary from terry… Read more »
@daniil. HEEYY IDIOT, THIS GUY HAS OVER 200MILLION VIEWS ON YOUTUBE. AND YES, EVERYONE KNOWS HIM EXCEPT U AND SOME GRANNIES AT RUSSIA
well he could be one of the few people that could bring uk back in top 5 and more, but he has more to lose than to earn….
here we go again with the uk hysteria. NO, any of the decent acts that will and shall be listed in the comments will not go and due eurovision. unless there super old or trying to revive their career (and i’m not poop-pooing that as katrina and waves did eurovision for revive the group) you will not find a good song,which i think is more important than the act ( not naming any conchita), in the uk. you are left with is some queef from a second album of a one hit wonder. the problem is rotton to the core… Read more »
New artists?? Please, yes the UK recently (literally 2 years) has sent new artists, and often new artists do well, but well known, established artists do just as well. Its just because many Brits automatically think if they’re from another country and they don’t know who they are they are completely new. Many thought that Guy Sebastian was a new artist who was imitating Bruno Mars, like, seriously?! All they have to do is search him to find that hes been a star for years longer than Bruno Mars. And you can find hundreds of more examples
JonathanUK, what exactly would be ‘amazing’ about Cheryl Fernandez-Versini on the Eurovision Stage ? Even she’s said she’s not the strongest singer. She would not last five seconds!
@Mario – Joe McElderry would do it. He seems to do everything.
Yes to Jess Glynne – she’s amazing!!! ‘Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself’ is my jam right now so come on Britain and send her.
Jessie Ware, Ella Henderson and Union J are good acts.
CHVRCHES is my dream come true. But my other choices aould be:
– Ella Henderson
– Ellie Goulding
– Rebecca Ferguson
– Bastille
– Jessie J
– Noel Gallagher/Oasis
– Arctic Monkeys
– Sam Smith
Maybe Ed Sheeran? But get real, We’d be lucky if even one said yes and went.
Jess glynne is my dream for the uk!<3
@Hollandique: Hungary already sent a DnB inspired song last year (was my fave BTw) but I agree, a UK garage track would be amazing!!!
I like Olly – however, how dare he turn his nose up at Eurovision? Considering the awful shite that X Factor produces, he is in no place to judge. Ignorant twit.
Ella Henderson would be amazing on the stage but sadly she is basically owned by Syco so a no go there.
Funnily enough the BBC have never done a single thing with any of their “The Voice” winners. Surely one of them would say yes to Eurovision. Even with the stigma in the UK it’s undeniable that they get serious airtime and attention.
We need to send something that represents the UK as a country – something like a drum and bass/soul song would be amazing – like the material of Rudimental or Ella Eyre or John Newman. Sweden’s started picking up on it (MPH), so lets be the first to send a song like this to eurovision before everyone else does!
If he said he isn’t gonna do it, then he isn’t gonna do it. Personally I think either Example or John Newman would be EXCELLENT choices for the UK and would make them prosper. Or maybe someone who has had hits in the past like a Craig David.
Adele would be so amazing if she did it! Would she do it? Probably not!
Paloma Faith would do amazingly well also and I think she’s more likely to do it than Adele but not in 2016 as she has just joined The Voice as a judge!
Jess Glynn would also be an amazing option, as would Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Ellie Goulding but they wouldn’t do it either!
Is this guy even popular outside of the UK?! What’all the fuss about?! It would be a poor idea to send him.
I really do not like Murs’ music. The UK have lots more upcoming talented artists to choose from, though I would like to see the Voice runner-up Leah McFall at Eurovision since her single flopped, it would get her back into the limelight.
I’ll take twenty Electro Velvets first.
The BBC said they would make their announcements for selecting their entry in late summer. Even though we’re into autumn now, I’d say it won’t be long before we find out more about the UK’s plans and right now, I’m hoping they finally go back to a national selection, with better improvements and juries voting.
Thomasfan22, Adele would be a disaster, not a dream. With her cod-american accent and snarling singing face, she’d do well to be 20th.
Hehe 🙂 Oh Robyn 🙂
Maybe he hates EuroVision that much that he actually loves it 😛 This is another kind of love 😉
Plus, It would be cool if Little Mix would represent UK in our Vision 🙂
Or Leon Jackson <3 🙂
Better not him please..
If it has to be someone from XFactor then i’m rooting all the way 4 Leona Lewis! <3 One of my most favorite singers! <3 She was the Winner of 2006 XFactor <3
Or Ella Henderson.. <3 {XFactor 2012}
Or Steve Brookstain that was the first Winner of XFactor back in 2004 <3
Or Joe McElderry that was the Winner of the XFactor of 2009 <3 And he is GAY <3
Adele for UK would be a dream come true.
The same thing happens every year, famous artists are rumoured to represent the UK and it never happens…… Whilst I would love to see a familiar face on the ESC stage for the UK, realistically speaking it’s too risky for one’s music career.
it wont be true … if it was it would be a mistake for him to do it as he would expect to win an he simply wouldn’t as he isn’t good enough..
it will be a last minute choice by bbc in march of some average singer with a mediocre song ..
the UK along with France and Switzerland are hopeless at eurovision