Eurovision fans are fast becoming spoilt for choice when it comes to alternative celebrations of the song contest. In the UK, a collection of British stars — including a couple of familiar Eurovision faces — are taking part in the Isolation Song Contest, a charity event.
The contest has been organised by the UK comedian Tom Taylor. Fourteen UK stars have been randomly assigned Eurovision countries. Their task is to compose a song for the contest which they will perform as part of the grand final of the Isolation Song Contest on this Saturday, 2 May.
Among the list of celebs is Eurovision 2015 winner and former UK national final host Måns Zelmerlöw. He will be representing the UK. Also in the line-up is former UK Eurovision commentator and national final host Mel Giedroyc. She will be serving Sanremo realness by representing Italy.
Also competing will be RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star (and one-third of the Frock Destroyers) Divina de Campo. The glamorous queen will be heading down under to represent Australia.
Northern Irish musician Neil Hannon will also compete. While he’s part of the acclaimed group The Divine Comedy, in Eurovision circles he’s best known as the writer of the iconic Eurovision parody song “My Lovely Horse”, from a legendary 1996 episode of the sitcom Father Ted. This time he’ll have a song for Spain.
He previously said he’d never write a song for Eurovision, but it looks like he has been persuaded to do something for a stay-at-home version.
It won’t be all solo performers. Sisters Flo & Joan will represent Iceland, and real-life couples Josie Long & Jonny Donahoe will represent North Macedonia, while Lucy Porter & Justin Edward will take on San Marino.
The rest of the line-up will feature artists from the worlds of performance, acting, music and comedy — and sometimes all of the above. With this much talent, it’s sure to be a highly competitive event!
Isolation Song Contest – Competing Acts
- Divina de Campo – Australia
- Joe Stilgoe – Belgium
- Nick Helm – Finland
- Kevin Eldon – France
- Pippa Evans – Germany
- Flo & Joan – Iceland
- Mel Giedroyc – Italy
- Josie Long & Johnny Donahoe – North Macedonia
- Glamrou – Norway
- Tim Vine – Romania
- Lucy Porter & Justin Edwards – San Marino
- Neil Hannon – Spain
- Rob Deering – Sweden
- Måns Zelmerlöw – United Kingdom
It’s for a good cause
The Isolation Song Contest will support three local UK charities: The Trussell Trust (foodbank support), Crisis, (support for homeless people) and Refuge (campaigning against domestic violence). See the event’s Just Giving page for more information on how to donate to support these groups.
Organisers say that everyone involved in the contest has given up their time for free to support the fundraising efforts.
Tune into the grand final of the Isolation Song Contest, this Saturday 2 May at 20:00 (21:00 CET).
Will it be broadcast on tv?
Oh ok
I listened to a recent interview Mans had with BBC Radio 2(?) and yep, his accent when speaking English has really gone full British. It’s sounds so different now than from back in ESC 2016.