Graham Norton says Irish entry Wild Youth may be ‘little dark horses’ of Eurovision
Graham Norton: "I think little dark horses might be those boys from Ireland."
Graham Norton has tipped Ireland’s Eurovision entry Wild Youth to do well in the song contest in Liverpool, praising the group’s “good athematic song”.
The BBC version of the international song competition will be hosted by comedian and talk show host Norton, alongside singer and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.
Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine on Wednesday, Bandon native Norton, 60, said: “What I like about it is that it’s in Liverpool, but actually it’s in the UK, there’s a real sense that everyone is excited about this.”
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Talking about the acts, he said: “Mae Muller is really, really good, Loreen is the favourite from Sweden, (but) I think little dark horses might be those boys from Ireland.
“It’s a good athematic song and I just saw a little bit of their dress rehearsal and it’s really well styled.
The group, comprising Conor O’Donohoe, Callum McAdam, Ed Porter and David Whelan, will represent Ireland in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool on May 9 with their song We Are One.
Wild Youth performed on the Eurosong edition of RTÉ’s The Late Late Show for the chance to represent Ireland at this year’s contest, beating other contestants including former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon and his band Public Image Ltd.
The band recently made headlines after announcing their decision to "cut all ties" with their Eurovision creative director, Ian Banham.
To reach the final on Saturday May 13, the group will have to qualify from Tuesday’s semi-final which also includes entries from competition favourites Sweden and Finland.
Ireland has participated in Eurovision more than 50 times and has a record seven wins, but has failed to qualify for the final since Ryan O’Shaughnessy entered with his song Together in 2018.
