On January 15, Norway’s NRK will hold a press conference revealing the artists and composers set to take part in Melodi Grand Prix 2018.

And according to Norwegian newspaper VG, it may well be a year of comebacks — including Eurovision 2009 winner Alexander Rybak.

The newspaper claims that the “Fairytale” singer is contemplating a return to Norway’s Eurovision selection, which is known to fans simply as MGP.

Makes me wanna go for Eurovision all over again! ?????? #TheKing #johnnylogan

A post shared by Alexander Rybak (@rybakofficial) on

It builds on months of speculation that started following Eurovision 2017 in Kyiv. As the newspaper reports, Rybak stoked the fire following Portugal’s win during an interview on TV2’s Good Morning, Norway. He said:

“There’s a production company that offered me millions to represent Belarus next time in Eurovision, but I would rather do it for free for Norway.”

Following on from that, the singer, who is of Belarusian descent, appeared on Allsang på grensen alongside fellow Eurovision winner Johnny Logan, sharing a photo on Instagram along with the caption: “Makes me wanna go for Eurovision all over again!”

Also on VG‘s list of potential acts is Eurovision 2011 contestant Stella Mwangi (“Haba Haba”) and Eurovision 2017 singer Aleksander Wallmann (“Grab the Moment”), neither of whom wanted to comment on the matter when approached by VG.

Rounding out the list of rumoured candidates is songwriter and singer Ida Maria, who wrote “Mamma’s Boy” for MGP 2017, and Vidar Villa, an artist signed with Universal. As with the others mentioned in this post, they declined comment.

“It is always exciting with rumors and speculation, but I do not comment on the artist or songwriter names before publication,” Stig Karlsen, project manager and music director for MGP, told VG.

“We are holding a press conference on January 15th and are looking forward to presenting a solid collection of composers and artists.”

Norway’s Dagbladet says it has has reason to believe that Kjetil Mørland (Eurovision 2015) could also be in the mix. Watch this space.

Who on this list do you most want to see? Let us know in the comments box below!

Read more Melodi Grand Prix news

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Adriana
Adriana
6 years ago

He won ,it wont be a second time win just because he is well known.

Eva
Eva
6 years ago

He is wonderful, my favourite Eurovision winner ever <3
But I don't believe he will return..

KYLLITO
KYLLITO
6 years ago

If a previous Eurovision contestant or winner wants to come back to Eurovision, that’s fine. They shouldn’t get special treatment because they are doing their country a disservice if they are being chosen just because of past Eurovision experience over a song or singer that will do better and make their country proud.

The news in this article that excited me the most is about Morland. His music is great no matter if he returns to Eurovision or not. His song SKIN is so wonderful and haunting.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Didn’t he try to represent Belarus as a composer? I remember a song, a pretty bad one, that he wrote for them.

Elmar
Elmar
6 years ago

Wow. That would be great, I love him. 😀

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

Seriously!? I absolutely love his haircut!

Escphbelgium
Escphbelgium
6 years ago

And I’m sitting here waiting for Mr Little Jeans to compete.
https://youtu.be/EDCT9gkUyHM

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

If Saaro Alto is worthy of getting internally selected and bypassing UMK, then Alexander Rybak should receive similar treatment. Actually no, they should build him a palace and make a national Rybak day if he was even semi-willing to represent Norway again. No way should he have to do MGP.

Boy
Boy
6 years ago

NO!

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

What about Marcus og Martinus? Are they still in the game? Or was that just a Melfest rumour?

Ez
Ez
6 years ago

You know I’m really torn about this, because even though I wasn’t a big fan of his winning song, and had favourites to win in his year, I do think that we need more diverse songs, next year to make the contest fresh, and his style of music might be what the show is lacking, so it might do some good if he came back and we started having more diversity in the show again.

Haba
Haba
6 years ago

I loved love to see Stella Mwangi coming back with her true style. Something like Big Girl, would be amazing and fresh!

Alexis
Alexis
6 years ago

He wants his record back

Iain
Iain
6 years ago

Do you know who I would REALLY love to see back? Linnea Dale!

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

YESSS!!!! This is amazing!
I’d love to see him back! He’s great! However, it’s difficult to have the same success as in 2009, because he actually won!
Hope for a great song and hope the rumours are true!

Mae
Mae
6 years ago

I love Alexander Rybak !

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

He won with record-breaking results in 2009, a comeback would be reductive (just look at Loreen).

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago

I personally would be happy to see Rybak return. Some other former Norwegian Eurovision contestants I would love to see are Margaret Berger from 2013 and Maria Haukaas Storemg from 2008, both of whom sang amazing songs that placed top 5 at Eurovision.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago
Reply to  Gorilla716

I would also be happy if the rumors about Morland from 2015 are true as well.

Jonathan
Jonathan
6 years ago

YES! He is such a great singer and would be the big Star on the eurovision stage. If he will represent Norway, my expectations for the contest would be verry high.

Nikki
Nikki
6 years ago

For me is a yes. I love him, and I’d love see him in Eurovision again.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago

As he cannot even win Belarus final, I doubt he can win Norwegian one.

Matt
Matt
6 years ago

I’d like to see Stella Mwangi back, her song was a lot of fun, but I can kinda see how it didn’t didn’t qualify, but it’d be nice for her to have a second chance.

But Rybak? I don’t know what his career is like now, but I don’t know how much he has to gain from competing again.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Competing in the final would revive his career in Norway. it’s been non-existent.Though it’s done wonders in Russia..

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago

Yes.