The first rule of Melodifestivalen is that you do not talk about Melodifestivalen. Yet Swedish broadcaster SVT is said to be turning a blind eye to an act who has already blabbed about his participation in Melodifestivalen 2020. The provocative performer Thorsten Flinck is said to still be part of the 2020 lineup, despite publicly confirming his participation with a local newspaper.

Flinck made the announcement earlier this week as part of an interview with the Swedish newspaper TTELA. He told the paper, “I will be participating in Melodifestivalen, but I can’t say more than that.”

But even confirming participation in Melodifestivalen before the official announcement is against SVT’s strict rules. The broadcaster is considered to take their rules seriously, in order to not give any artist an advantage over others.

However, it appears SVT are turning a blind eye of Thorsten Flinck’s rule break. The broadcaster is said to want Thorsten to be part of Mello 2020 so he won’t receive anything more than a telling off.

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reports that one of their sources sighed and said, “Some other artist could definitely have been disqualified. What is okay for some is not allowed for others.”

The paper also speculates that the rules — which say SVT will publish the confirmed names in “October-November 2019” — potentially give enough leeway for Thorsten’s news to be considered an official announcement in that period.

The rule was last tested in 2006, when Swedish Idol winner Agnes Carlsson was disqualified from Melodifestivalen 2007. Prior to the reveal date, she had spoken about her participation with media and had given information about the songwriting team.

At the time, this was deemed a serious breach of the Melodifestivalen rules. Agnes and her song “More than a Girl” were disqualified from the contest. She was replaced by MÃ¥ns Zelmerlöw, who went on to place third with “Cara mia”.

Thorsten Flinck is an actor and musician, with a career spanning over 40 years. He is known for playing villains, but also for his outrageous personality off-stage.

He made his Melodifestivalen debut in 2012, performing with his group Revolutionsorkestern. They placed eighth in the grand final with the song “Jag reser mig igen” (I Rise Again).

Thorsten Flinck will be joined at Melodifestivalen 2020 by Anna Bergendahl, Robin Bengtsson, Anis don Demina, Drängarna, Linda Bengtzing, Frida Öhrn, Paul Rey, Albin, Suzi P, The Mamas, Victor Crone, Hanna Ferm, Jakob Karlberg and P4 Nästa wildcard winner Amanda Aasa. Eric Saade and Carola are two acts still being chased by the broadcaster.

SVT is expected to reveal the lucky 28 competing acts of Melodifestivalen 2020 sometime later this month.

What do you think? Should SVT be strict with their rules? Who else would you like to see in the 2020 lineup? Tell us your thoughts below!

Read more Sweden Eurovision news here

20 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mehmet
Mehmet
4 years ago

Of course smoking is bad, but the virtue signaling here is beyond ridiculous . Do you drink coffee, do you smoke “medicinal” stuff, do you drink alcohol… wait for a heart attack at 20 something.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago
Reply to  Mehmet

no to all of that, but unlike coffee n alcohol, if u smoke it’s also dangerous to the ones around u. no such thing as passive alcohol or second-hand coffee u kno

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Mehmet

Trust me, virtue signaling is the last thing I’d ever do. I’m all about personal freedom. But personal freedom has to stop when others get hurt. And I consider my personal freedom violated when I’m forced to breathe in someone else’s smoke. There simply are situations where you can’t just walk away from it and others are polluting your air. It’s a disgrace. It has nothing to do with virtue. Not tarnishing the lives of those around you should be a matter of course.

Pablo
Pablo
4 years ago

To consider that Agnes said much more than just being in Melfest, like song titles and composers, whilst Thorsten only said he was in. Given that Aftonbladet’s rumors sometimes give a passive “I want to/will be in” that is only short of an official yes…

Seri
Seri
4 years ago

Jag reser mig igen was way better than Euphoria was. It was original and own-language.

helloagain
helloagain
4 years ago
Reply to  Seri

I agree, It deserved to win just based on its originality. Im already happy about the meltdown on here when Thorsten goes to the final.

pepe
pepe
4 years ago

“in order to not give any artist an advantage over others”

LOL, Chister’s running order is of course fair and doesn’t give certain artists an advantage over others.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago
Reply to  pepe

the way he tried to sabotage malou prytz with that semi final running order n she still went DIREKT till final…. legend tingz

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

that header photo triggered my anti-smoking activism

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

I don’t know him but I already dislike him after seeing that picture and I hope he fails because he smokes cigarettes. Not even kidding.

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago

You know, it’s his choice. I myself know many wonderful people who smoke. I’m not pro-smoking by any means, but I see the struggle of these people to quit smoking and it’s not a piece of cake. Judging people by their addiction to me is superficial and disrespectful, it’s the inside of the person that matters, not what that person does to his or hers lungs.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Thanks for that after school special, headmaster. Your deadly seriousness makes me wanna start smoking. Seriously. But not disgusting cigarettes. Some good stuff.

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago

I find this intolerance of people with no sense of humor both superficial and disrespectful. It wasn’t my decision to be born without the funny bone, it’s innate and incurable. Thank you for your attention.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Don’t worry. You’re probably (definitely) in the majority here with this. You know, it wouldn’t kill you to be a little less intolerant towards a superficial guy like me, who is in the minority, no less. Aren’t you tolerance preachers supposed to protect minorities? lol

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago

Good question. Is intolerance of intolerance intolerant? Anyway, as a proud POTATO (Preacher Of Tolerance And Truth Objectiveness) I shall take your request into consideration. God bless.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Is that a real thing? I’ll meet you halfway and give you the POT of POTATO. Trust me, POT sounds better.

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago

Of course. Pot is an excellent container to put some delicious potato soup into. I see we’re on the same page 🙂

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Yes, we are. I knew it. 😉

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

skkssjsk he needs to understand it ain’t the 80s anymore, it doesn’t give u a bad boy image u just gon look like u stink. plus it’s SO unprofessional for a singer.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

A telling off. That’s fun. I hope he recovers from such a drastic punishment. But all the other names must come from somewhere, too. Some artists probably let others leak their names on behalf of themselves.