Eurovision’s Sam Ryder calls for ‘more diverse talent’ to represent UK in 2023

Sam Ryder (Alamy)

Sam Ryder has called for musicians from all music genres to apply for Eurovision 2023 to celebrate the diverse talent the UK has to offer.

The Space Man singer, 33, represented the UK in last year’s contest, and placed second after being narrowly beaten by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra.

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Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the United Kingdom is now holding the event next year in their place. It’ll be the first time in 25 years the Eurovision Song Contest is held in the country, with the annual event being hosted in Liverpool.

Sam Ryder (Neil Lupin/WENN)

Speaking about the upcoming event, Ryder hopes this could be an opportunity to celebrate the amazing talent the country has to offer.

“The UK has such a diverse plethora of talent and all I can hope is that what happened this year has encouraged more people from those diverse genres and back-grounds of music to think, ‘Eurovision isn’t a career killer’,” he told The Sun.

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“I would love it to be a fan of Eurovision, who loves its history.”

Sam Ryder (Jim Dyson/Getty Images)

Ryder’s Eurovision success provided a massive international boost for his musical career, similar to Italy’s Maneskin, who won in 2021.

It also broke the UK’s losing streak that saw 2021 contestant James Newman’s song Embers scoring nil points in 2021 and Michael Rice, who landed in last place with Bigger Than Us in 2019.

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Ryder’s since released his album, There’s Nothing But Space, Man!, which hit the top of the charts.

Sam Ryder (Jim Dyson/Getty Images)

Eurovision 2023 will see a change of pace with North Macedonia and Montenegro both being forced to pull out due to the cost of participation including energy bills.

They will also be adjusting calculations for entrants scores in the run-up to the Grand Final, with the Eurovision jury no longer giving scores. Instead, it will be left entirely to viewership.

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