It’s been a long wait, full of rumours and speculation, but finally the BBC has confirmed. James Newman will represent the UK at Eurovision 2021. The singer is returning after previously having been selected to represent the UK in 2020.
UK broadcaster the BBC confirmed the news in an official announcement this morning.
James Newman shared his excitement at getting the return ticket to Eurovision, saying:
“I’m so excited and honoured to be getting a second chance at representing my country in the Eurovision Song Contest. I haven’t stopped making new music in lockdown and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the song I’m taking to Eurovision in 2021.”
While little has been revealed about James Newman’s song for Eurovision 2021, the BBC has confirmed that his song will be released in March.
The BBC are continuing their partnership with music publisher BMG. James Newman’s Eurovision song will be released and published by BMG.
James Newman’s Eurovision journey
James Newman is a British singer and a BRIT Award-winning and Grammy-nominated songwriter. He has an extensive list of songwriting credits on many chart-hitting songs, including “Waiting All Night” by Rudimental (feat. Ella Eyre) and “Brave” by Calvin Harris (feat. John Newman).
Last year, James was internally selected by the BBC to represent the UK at Eurovision 2020. He was due to perform the uplifting song “My Last Breath”, complete with a dramatic music video featuring Dutch extreme athlete Wim ‘The IceMan’ Hoff.
While some broadcasters were quick to give their 2020 acts the return ticket to Rotterdam, the BBC kept quiet on their plans. In May, however, James said he would happily return to Eurovision if the BBC offered him the chance.
Super happy to announce that I'll be representing the UK at the 2021 @Eurovision song contest! (for real this time!)
Things didn't go to plan last year but this year we're back (with a brand new song no less!) keep your eyes and ears peeled ? x#ESC2021 pic.twitter.com/vDqUB2w3Gu
— James Newman (@JamesNewmanUk) February 19, 2021
What will James Newman sing at Eurovision 2021?
Fans can expect something upbeat. James Newman told BBC Newsbeat, “I feel like everyone wants a party and to have some fun so when I was writing, that’s what I had in my head. I wanted something people can dance to, even if it’s just in their kitchen”.
In August, James Newman confirmed he had been busy writing songs in Norfolk with his regular songwriting partners Ed Drewett, Adam Argyle and Iain James.
Recently wiwiblogger Oliver spotted a newly added listing in BMI’s database of songs, showing a new song called “Your Love” credited to the four songwriters. However, it’s not known if this is James Newman’s Eurovision 2021 entry.
Found a BMI listing for a song written by James Newman and the team behind "My Last Breath"… ?? @bbceurovision pic.twitter.com/q611nsVU2k
— Oliver | wiwibloggs (@AlphaOliver_) February 16, 2021
What do you think? Are you glad that James Newman will be returning to Eurovision? What sort of song should he sing? Tell us your thoughts below!
I’m really glad James is getting another shot this year. I can’t lie and say I was a big fan of ‘My Last Breath’ but I love James’ voice and the promise of an upbeat offering this year is an exciting prospect. Something akin to his features on ‘Head Up’ or ‘Amnesia’ would be amazing. Just hoping for a banger!
Bottom 3 . AGAIN
No he won’t, we haven’t got a song yet so, do not dismiss people before they have a chance to show their worth.
I hope he writes himself a massive R&B ballad with huge high notes. He can pull it off. And this type of song will stand out in 2021.
While I didn’t really care for My Last Breath, I do like some of his music I have listened to, so I’m really happy about this choice. I think he will deliver a great song I just hope in can translate on the Eurovision stage and give a good result finally for the UK.
I’m pleased because I always wanted to see how he’d fare on the Eurovision stage. It would have been awful had the BBC ditched him like Cyprus did with poor Sandro.
WIth Sandro, it was a scheduling conflict that he already dedicated himself to. He couldn’t legally get out of it, if he could I think that he would be representing Cyprus in 2021 but, alas he isn’t. The article with that infomation is somwhere on WiwiBloggs you just have to search around for it.
Rubbish choice
No he isn’t. Let him prove himself before you cast assumptions.
Eeeehhhhh…….. meh
I’m happy for James! I hope he already knew he would be UK’s representative for a while, so he could have a lot of time to work on his new ideas for Rotterdam.
good choice! i really liked ‘my last breath’, so i’d say that’s promising news. and it’s always nice to see some genuine artist instead of some unknown karaoke singer.
Happy for him and the news that the song will be uptempo.
Last Breath was an awesome modern song so i hope for an even better song this year.
My preference would be having a different artist and James as the writer of the song but i’m also happy with James getting his moment on stage, he’s such a nice lad.
What an absolute bellend you are!
I’m pleased that James Newman has been given another chance! He’s said something about the song being more uptempo than My Last Breath too.
Can’t wait to hear it, at least we don’t have to worry about the Frock Destroyers now
When I heard last year that James Newman was our selection I listened to some of his music on YouTube and really liked it. I was disappointed with My Last Breath though, it was missing something from his usual stuff. He says that this new song will be upbeat and something to dance in the kitchen to, so I am looking forward to hearing it with hope, not for a winning song, but for a song that will get some votes.
Hopefully the song will be upbeat. The UK needs something fun.
He said it would be a pop/dance song like what he did with Rudimental so there is hope. Fingers Crossed!!
A big hater who loves somebody, incredibe!
Credible singer and songwriter. Looking forward to his song entry and I hope that they’ll be hard at work on making its staging for the lives to be innovative and unique!
Let’s hope he keeps his promise for something upbeat.
I am glad he is back. I hope he has a decent song to present.
Hope the new song is better than ‘My Last Breath’ and why wait until now to announce James N? We are at a disadvantage, as many other countries have already released their 2021 Euro song. I have several songs buzzing around my head and would have liked to have added the UK entry to my list but….not until March. By May 22nd some countries’ songs will have had nearly 5 months of Euro exposure but the UK, only 2 months, if we are lucky! This can’t be good for us! If James’ song does not do well, I hope the… Read more »
Only 7 songs have officially been released chill your beans, other countries have released right up till the deadline and still have a good result the song will speak for itself.
You forget people get bored of songs that have been around a while. Sweden are always one of the last to come up with their song and look at their recent history.
Some countries with internal selections play tactically, they have a few songs in mind but assess the reactions and themes of other countries songs before deciding which song to go for themselves
Arcade was released in 2019 on thursday on the last week. The only countries after that were Russia on friday (and San Marino on sunday/monday?). So eventually it doesn’t matter when it is released. Probably more than 95% of all viewers will hear it for the first time in May anyway.
Huge support! <3
I am glad he’s back!
He seems so happy to get a second chance and i hope we will get a big hit for ESC!
Now Athena’s,Alicja’s and Little Big’s chances are still questionable!
Damn well someone has a bad day!
Cheer yourself up and feel better about yourself and cure your frustration somewhere else!
Nil points
Repartee close to 0
Terrible choice BBC.
Adele did fine in her thicker years hun
The truth is that My Last Breath was one of the few 2020 songs that could survive outside of the Eurovision bubble, one of those songs that you could easily find on the charts and on radios these days, and collect platinum records. Of course Eurofans didn’t consider it and underestimated him. Nothing surprising if we think about what they usually go crazy for (basic stuff sung by attractive female artists who embody ten/fifteen year old clichés). Already for this reason the UK had made a huge step forward compared to previous years and I am confident James Newman will… Read more »
Reality was, that “My Last Breath” had close to zero life outside the Eurovision bubble.
That is actually not “the truth”. Because technically My Last Breath WAS released in the UK and no one cared. It never charted. In fact, Think About Things actually hit #34 on the U.K. singles chart and was used on Brit TV in places like Strictly—My Last Breath never did have even remote life outside of the bubble even in the U.K. It came and went on the radio after it’s announcement and it only has 3 million plays on Spotify placing it near the lower end of other ESC 2020 entries. So the idea that it could’ve “survived” was… Read more »
It didnt even manage to chart in its native UK. Why would it chart elsewhere?
These are all interesting consideration, that obviously have nothing to do with the meaning of my comment, but I’ll survive. Regarding the spendability in the charts I have spoken of “My last breath” as ONE of the songs of the ESC 2020, not as “the only” one, so bringing me examples of other songs does not make sense. When you talk about the success of the UK entry in the national charts never forget how the proposals of the artists who participate in Eurovision are considered by the UK, unfortunately they are not given the same credibility and that is… Read more »
You could say that about Armenia and Malta, 2 songs which were even more suited and made for outside ESC than My Last Breath – which to be fair could be imagined outside ESC – both of whom were also acts that impressed Simon Cowell on UK TV, so were known to the average viewer.
What a jerk you are. Shame on you.
If it’s better than One Last Breath then I’ll be happy
Off Topic: does anyone know what is with the running order for the semifinals?? Will they keep. It or change it? Thx
They will definitely change it because even if the song genre for each country stays the same as last year, the stagings will be different.
Yeah, I think the running order in the semi finals will likely be different than last year.
That is just unnecessary and just rude. There is no need for that.
Not sure how to feel about this, my first thought reading the news waking up this morning was “at least it ain’t Frock Destroyers” I don’t hate James Newman and think he’s a great songwriter but as a performer he doesn’t seem to have any stage charisma or personality unless I’m proven wrong, I’m now just holding out hope for a Nano-esque banger. I feel this is a very lazy decision from BBC and hopping on the self-pity bandwagon with other countries by reinstating their chosen artists last year which is currently spiraling into wasting their talent after one whole… Read more »
‘Nano-esque banger’ well Nano was a blatant copy of another great British singer Rag ‘n’ Bone but like you I am hopping for a dance banger, I am hopeful and pleased James is making a return.
I don’t get your point at all??? Before making a sweeping statement like that you need to at least hear more songs first. Some of these performers have been so excited to go to Eurovision and not to give them a second chance would be wrong. Lockdown has taken away a lot of musicians’ lives but has given them a lot more time to focus on songwriting and practise their craft, and we’ve had fan feedback from a lot of the 2020 entries, so I think we’re going to see much stronger songs from returning artists. A lot can happen… Read more »
Where is Alicja and Athena
TVP allegedly posted on Facebook a few weeks back asking followers who would be your dream Polish representative at ESC which caused a backlash from fans, as it would suggest Alicja might not be considered to return. TVP bosses were also criticised for focusing too much on JESC and paying little to no attention to the main event.
I’m a bit more concerned with Athena, a musician who requires lots of effort and promotion, who has continued to repost content on stories wishing for or even implying her participation, and is still stuck in Monte Carlo (maybe as it is easier to go to Armenia from there than either of her homes Athens or Hannover), with it hard to know how she will get to Armenia and the need to quarantine, get tight choreography, costumes and revamps, and record her backup performance (I have thought that she might even send her recent, 10 seconds too long ballad to… Read more »
I don’t blame the producers for focusing on JESC because that’s a big event, but that should have been the perfect opportunity to announce Alicja back at eurovision since she performed that night. Why they didn’t is beyond me.
Finally !!! Great news !! I am very happy for him !! I hope for a great song, I can ‘t wait to hear it !!
Ah yes, because being fatter and (in your opinion) less attractive means that you aren’t talented. Honestly, just imagine if your argument was being thrown at you, and imagine how you would feel. Learn some empathy.
Good on him! 🙂
Not surprised but considering that My Last Breath was definitely a step in the right direction for the UK it’s welcome. Plus James seems lovely and is a credible songwriter and performer so it’s nice that he’ll get to go to Rotterdam.
Agree totally.
He’s a very credible singer and whatever happens we cannot be accused of sending a novelty song. Whether you like his song or not, he cannot be accused of not giving 100% effort to this contest.
Yes, you are right. In every interview I have seen, he always comes across as a genuinely nice person.
I know you all love James and will be unpopular again, but I am a little dissapointed seeing this, this morning. I found one last breathe a little boring and unmemorable, definitely wasn’t one of my go to songs last year. The only saving grace is that he has said it will be an upbeat song, and from his songwriting history he does them best, so maybe he will change my mind this year.
Another March release ugh :/
I get why but I still think it would have been fun and paid of more if BBC went with something different. He is a good choice but it’s safe, so safe no one really would pay attention to him. Who votes for safe? Few votes here and there and end up like 17th and again wonder why no one votes for us..
17th…would be a triumph!!!! Compared to most recent years
I’m really glad James had been given a second chance at Eurovision, he seemed really invested in the contest and it was the right thing to do. Why the announcement has been left so late considering all they have announced is the artist is frustrating, but that is in the past now 🙂
Best of luck then. Glad James Newman has been confirmed; now we can get on with it all.
So happy (for him) they chose him, sure he wil bring uk best result in years 🙂
Excellent news!
Liked his song last year.
Was wondering how you managed to write an entire article about the UK without mentioning the Frock Destroyers but then I saw Robyn was the writer. 😉
You mean because she’s not a gay man? Hilarious. Never mind that Robyn wrote the last article on the destroyers.
I had my hopes for Fleur East but, like with most people I am elated that it wasn’t The Frock Destroyers. We just to hold out hope that the song isn’t the usual crap the UK sends to the contest like over the past 20 or so years. I am concerned however that as a live performer, I feel that he is a little too green to be a part of the contest again as we seen with the live renditions of My Last Breath last year, it left people wanting and criticising his ability to peform live, these are… Read more »
Hi Liam, I was thinking the exact same thing last year when i saw his performance of MLB, but I really think the years break will be to his advantage – fingers crossed because it would be so nice to get a good result! 🙂
I’m very happy to hear James is coming back. I don’t know about his performing abilities, as he doesn’t seem to have much record of it. I don’t really picture him as a leading man, despite his achievements, but I trust he’s spend much of the past year rehearsing and practicing.
He performed MLB on a promotional thing last year, but I feel he was deliberately holding back. Was he planning on inviting Win Hof to appear with him in Rotterdam?
The HOD Lee Smithurst talked of an intense staging concept for My Last Breath with a water tank with someone inside that emptied on stage when James struck it. It would have certainly got people to talk about our show for once.
I’m happy he’s coming back!
Thank you BBC for bringing my namesake back for 2021. It’s definitely worth the silence.
Russia, it’s your turn now to reveal if you’re bringing Little Big back or not. Hehe
they most likely will. Many tv shows in Russia already stated that they will represent them. And yesterday Ilya (frontman of the band) posted on IG that we shouldn’t plan anything on the 12th of March or something along those lines:)
very satisfied with this, he deserves it
yesss as long as it’s not the frock destroyers. He is a very quality song-writer, but he hasn’t yet convinced me as a performer, we shall see about that, but I’m sure that the song will be good and probably their best effort since 2014! 🙂
Finally! He definitely deserved another shot. Huge congrats to him! Can’t wait to hear his song
Absolutely the right choice! Deserves his chance to have a go, as for the “why so long” I have a feeling that BMG may have played a part somehow in the timings. Hopefully it is an upbeat song can’t wait either way to hear it, wish him all the luck!