Latest news with #EurovisionSongContest
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Holly Johnson on Relax beating Queen's Radio Ga Ga to No.1: 'Poor Freddie'
Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Holly Johnson believes the late Freddie Mercury would have been miffed about Relax beating Queen's Radio Ga Ga to No.1. Relax only entered the UK Top 75 singles chart in November 1983 and made its way into the Top 40 in January 1984. Three weeks later it topped the chart, replacing Paul McCartney's Pipes of Peace. Holly admits the chart defeat probably felt "like a knife through the heart for poor" Queen frontman Freddie. Taking part in NME's Does Rock 'N' Roll Kill Braincells?! quiz, he recalled of '80s: 'It was highly competitive, and no one liked being usurped in the charts or magazine covers, because it was all considered so important. The fact that 'Relax' kept Queen's 'Radio Ga Ga' off Number One must have been like a knife through the heart for poor Freddie [Mercury], because no one had heard of us the week before.' Holly confessed that he and Freddie were never that close but they crossed paths at gay bars regularly. Asked if he ever discussed the chart battle with the Bohemian Rhapsody hitmaker, he said: 'No, we exchanged looks in gay bars – but they were friendly looks! I was shy and would go to gay bars on my own, so I wouldn't approach Freddie with his entourage. We weren't best mates, put it that way. We smiled at each other, though.' Elsewhere, Holly admitted it's unlikely that a full brand reunion will take place after Frankie Goes To Hollywood reunited to perform their 1984 song Welcome to the Pleasuredome at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in their home city of Liverpool. The singer said of the one-off reunion: 'The lead-up was exhausting. The preamble between Universal Records, who bought the Frankie and ZTT label, and the amount of emails that went on was ridiculous. When I actually got into the rehearsal room with the band, everything was fine. It was like it had been all those years ago, and Mark [O'Toole] and Paul [Rutherford] did their 'Ooh-ahhs' [backing vocals], and I did the vocal of the video version that I'd been performing for 10 years, so it was absolutely fine. It was not 'closure'; it was just good to see everyone and no one was hostile. The Eurovision Song Contest being held in Liverpool seemed a big enough moment for Frankie Goes to Hollywood to turn up.' Asked if they could reform, he replied: 'I can't see it happening. It could have done after that event. Promoters were offering things, but not all the members were on board and that's OK. It's always 'never say never', but we're all getting a bit long in the tooth so it's unlikely.'
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Remember Monday star shares big update on ‘stolen' engagement ring after Eurovision
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) REMEMBER Monday star Holly-Anne Hull has shared a big update on her engagement ring which was "stolen" after Eurovision. The singer, 30, revealed last month how the pricey ring has "gone missing", leaving her devastated, Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Remember Monday's Holly-Anne Hull has spoken out about her missing engagement ring Credit: The Sun 5 The piece of precious jewellery went after the Eurovision Song Contest Credit: Getty 5 The Sun chatted to Remember Monday at the Capital Summertime Ball Credit: The Sun Holly - who is one third of the British Eurovision act Remember Monday along with Lauren Byrne, 30, and Charlotte Steele, 31 - has spoken out about her missing ring. Asked about her ring by The Sun backstage at the Capital Summertime Ball, the singer said: "It's, erm, it has gone. "We have lost the ring, it's ok." We asked Holy if she would be replacing the missing jewellery, and she told us: "Oh I got a tattoo of his initial because how nice that is." It comes after The Sun revealed Holly had feared her jewellery was 'pinched'. It came about after she removed both her wedding and engagement rings for the performance of their song What The Hell Just Happened? at Eurovision on May 17. Shortly after, the singer spoke about her nightmare during an interview on Capital FM's Breakfast Show. Host Chris Stark asked: "Holly, very quickly, did I read you lost your wedding ring?" The girls remained silent for several seconds before Holly replied: "Yep. It's my engagement ring. "I found my wedding ring but my engagement ring is gone. Remember Monday star Lauren Byrne is last Eurovision contestant standing as she parties until 6am after defeat "I honestly don't know where it is. I am so upset about it. "It's something silly, like it's in the hotel room. It's not like I went on a wild night out and lost it. It's like I've misplaced it because I'm so silly and my brain was scattered all over the place." Chris' co-host Sian Welby asked: "Are you still in the hotel now, or are you home? Holly told her "I'm in my house. I've had to say goodbye to her." Holly-Anne wed her partner Craig in 2023. Together with bandmates Lauren and Charlotte Steele she performed at Eurovision last month and finished in 19th place. The group were tenth after the jury vote but sadly, as they received no points from the public, the trio were sent tumbling down the leaderboard. But despite their defeat, Remember Monday stood proud, and Charlotte said: "I can't explain how amazing the whole thing has been. It has been more than we could have ever wished for. "We are so proud of what we did and just the whole build up was just so fantastic. "We had about an hour's sleep before our flight home yesterday. We had so much fun!" 5 Remember Monday represented the UK at Eurovision last month Credit: Splash
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Remember Monday star shares big update on ‘stolen' engagement ring after Eurovision
REMEMBER Monday star Holly-Anne Hull has shared a big update on her engagement ring which was "stolen" after Eurovision. The Advertisement 5 Remember Monday's Holly-Anne Hull has spoken out about her missing engagement ring Credit: The Sun 5 The piece of precious jewellery went after the Eurovision Song Contest Credit: Getty 5 The Sun chatted to Remember Monday at the Capital Summertime Ball Credit: The Sun Holly - who is one third of the British Eurovision act Remember Monday along with Asked about her ring by The Sun backstage at the Capital Summertime Ball, the singer said: "It's, erm, it has gone. "We have lost the ring, it's ok." We asked Holy if she would be replacing the missing jewellery, and she told us: "Oh I got a tattoo of his initial because how nice that is." Advertisement MORE ON REMEMBER MONDAY It comes after The Sun revealed Holly had It came about after she removed both her wedding and engagement rings for the performance of their song What The Hell Just Happened? at Eurovision on May 17. Shortly after, the singer spoke about her nightmare during an interview on Capital FM's Breakfast Show. Host Chris Stark asked: "Holly, very quickly, did I read you lost your wedding ring?" Advertisement Most read in TV Exclusive The girls remained silent for several seconds before Holly replied: "Yep. It's my engagement ring. "I found my wedding ring but my engagement ring is gone. Remember Monday star Lauren Byrne is last Eurovision contestant standing as she parties until 6am after defeat "I honestly don't know where it is. I am so upset about it. "It's something silly, like it's in the hotel room. It's not like I went on a wild night out and lost it. It's like I've misplaced it because I'm so silly and my brain was scattered all over the place." Advertisement Chris' co-host Holly told her "I'm in my house. I've had to say goodbye to her." Holly-Anne wed her partner Craig in 2023. Together with bandmates Lauren and Charlotte Steele Advertisement The group were tenth after the jury vote but sadly, as But despite their defeat, Remember Monday stood proud, and Charlotte said: "I can't explain how amazing the whole thing has been. It has been more than we could have ever wished for. "We are so proud of what we did and just the whole build up was just so fantastic. "We had about an hour's sleep before our flight home yesterday. We had so much fun!" Advertisement 5 Remember Monday represented the UK at Eurovision last month Credit: Splash 5 The trio finished in 19th place Credit: Getty
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
I went on a bucket list trip and ended up ticking off two!
If you grew up in the 70s, 80s or even early 90s in Ireland, chances are you grew up watching — and revering — the Eurovision Song Contest. Those were the golden years for us, with Ireland's seven wins achieved across three decades. I was born in the late 80s so, sadly, I only remember three songs from watching them live rather than on repeat over the years — In Your Eyes by Niamh Kavanagh in 1993, Rock 'n' Roll Kids by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan the following year and Eimear Quinn with The Voice in 1996. We also won with All Kinds of Everything, performed by Dana in 1970, What's Another Year? in 1980 and Hold Me Now in 1987, both sung by Johnny Logan, and Why Me? by Linda Martin in 1992. All were exceptional songs, but I don't think anyone will ever forget the 1994 Eurovision, held in Dublin. That, of course, was the year of Riverdance — the interval show produced and directed by Moya Doherty and John Colgan and performed by Michael Flatley, Jean Butler and co. I grew up in a Eurovision-mad household. My mam absolutely adored the contest and every year we'd all huddle around the TV with our various goodies and watch it until the very last 'douze points' was awarded — even if that was way past my bedtime in the mid-90s! We haven't been very successful in the modern-day Eurovision era but that hasn't dulled the contest's allure for me. So when I was invited to this year's contest by the show's International sponsor, Royal Caribbean, I jumped at the chance to go to my very first Eurovision. And it is a trip I will never, ever forget. And not only because this was my first time going to Eurovision, it was also my first time to visit Switzerland. This year's contest was held in Basel in northwest Switzerland and close to the country's borders with France and Germany. In fact, when you land, your phone goes in and out of service between different providers — some Swizz companies, some French ones! The medieval Basel old town centres around Marktplatz, which is dominated by the 16th-century red-sandstone Town Hall — a stunning building — and a hive of activity over the weekend of May 17 as Eurovision fans from all over the world gathered to cheer on their country's act. Unfortunately, and in my opinion, unfairly, our act EMMY lost out on a place in the final the day before I flew out for the weekend — even though her song Laika Party was an absolute banger and was even played by all the other delegations over the course of the weekend as Basel was awash with Eurovision fever. As the city sits right on the Rhine, there are fabulous cafes, restaurants and bars dotted all along the water. Our hotel, Hotel Krafft Basel, overlooked the water on one side, and a buzzing bar on the other — perfect for Eurovision celeb spotting. This four-star boutique hotel, which is located directly on the Rhine promenade and in the vibrant Rheingasse, extends over five floors and the location couldn't be better for touring all of Basel. My balcony faced out onto the street and on the day I arrived, as I got ready in my room for night one with the door to the balcony open, I heard a distinctive and familiar voice. Rushing to the window, there he was — Rylan Clark! Rylan was commentating for the BBC for the weekend and was embracing all things Eurovision as he rubbed shoulders with fans, dressed in his finest colour and sparkle. That was the dress code for the weekend and it seemed everyone in Basel got the memo. When I landed in EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, which is operated jointly by France and Switzerland, it was clear nearly everyone there was headed for Eurovision. Many weren't lucky enough to nab tickets to the contest itself — this is the most-watched show on the planet, after all — but that didn't matter, just being there was enough for many fans. On the first night we headed for dinner at a gorgeous restaurant, Le Rhin Bleu, that sits on the banks of the Rhine, and serves possibly the freshest pasta I have ever had. You can even swim to the restaurant if you so choose — we spotted some hardy folks doing so as we sat, dry, tucking into our dinner. The great thing about Basel, too, is it is incredibly accessible. The city centre is walkable for the most part but if you don't want to be on your feet, the tram service is second to none. We took two trams from the airport to the hotel, with swapover as easy as it comes. There are plenty of stops too, so you're never a long walk from your final destination once you get off the tram. We used the tram service all weekend and never waited more than three minutes for one to come, including the one which took us home from the Eurovision final in the very small hours of the morning — after Marvin Humes, of JLS fame or The Hit List if you love a music gameshow, spinned some tunes for us at the show's afterparty. If you prefer to use taxis, though Switzerland is certainly expensive, taxi fares are reasonable. It was less than €20 for the 20-minute trip to the airport on Sunday morning. I couldn't face a tram! I was one of the lucky couple of thousand who got a ticket to the show's final, as well as backstage access the day before the show to get a glimpse into the monumental work that goes into a production of this calibre and entry to the hospitality suite before and after the show. I even met Ireland's most-loved twins, Jedward, who are Eurovision royalty after they represented us with Lipstick in 2011 and Waterline in 2012 — the first time Ireland has sent the same act to Eurovision in consecutive years. If you didn't get your hands on tickets to the St. Jakobshalle Arena for the show, there was around 36,000 people watching from St. Jakob-Park, Switzerland's largest football stadium. You could also feel the spirit of the final with a walk down Eurovision Street which had live bands playing and people in sequins and elaborate costumes dancing and singing in the streets Or gather at the Eurovision Village in Messe Basel for daily live concerts, public viewings, and food stalls. Before I headed to Basel, this was a bucket list trip for me and, after a weekend in the city, it seems I've ticked off two without even knowing it...
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Greta Thunberg's sister trolled for her music performance: 'So the whole family is...'
A purported video of Greta Thunberg's sister Beata went virl drawing flak for the singer. Amid row over Swedish activist Greta Thunberg 's 'kidnapping' by Israel army when she was on her way to Gaza, a video of her reported sister went viral with social media users viciously trolling her. Beata Thunberg, known by her stage name Beara Mona Lisa, is seen singing in the video. Social media users have not held back in their criticism, with some suggesting a familial pattern of unusual behavior. "So the whole family is retarded?" read one comment. Others speculated about the influence of the Thunberg parents, with remarks like "When did Greta's parents learn they were cousins?" while some doubted whether she was actually Greta Thunberg's sister. Greta Thunberg's sister does not use the Thunberg surname and adopted her mother's maiden name. Born on November 3, 2005, Beata is the daughter of Svante Thunberg, an actor and producer, and Malena Ernman, an opera singer who represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest. Unlike her sister, who has gained international fame for her environmental activism, Beata has pursued a career in music and performance art. On June 10, Greta Thunberg was aboard the yacht "Madleen," part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's effort to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and protest Israel's ongoing military campaign in the region. The coalition aimed to challenge the blockade imposed on Gaza, which has been tightened during the Israel-Hamas war. Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen in international waters, detaining Thunberg and 11 other pro-Palestinian activists on board. The group included six French nationals, a French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament, and citizens from Brazil, Spain, and Turkey. The Israeli foreign ministry portrayed the voyage as a public relations stunt, sharing images of Thunberg in front of an Israeli flag and stating that the activists were undergoing medical examinations upon arrival at the Port of Ashdod.
