Sorry Bucks Fizz, Sam Ryder is Britain’s Eurovision number one! Spaceman singer, 33, is crowned the nation’s favourite ever entry after achieving the UK’s best result for more than two decades
- The singer-songwriter came second in last year’s Eurovision Song Contest
- He missed out on top spot, but Spaceman reached number two in UK charts
Sam Ryder has been crowned the winner of the Ultimate UK Eurovision Song competition following a vote to discover the nation’s favourite ever entry.
The 33-year-old singer-songwriter came second in last year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Italy, with his pop hit Space Man giving the UK its best result for more than 20 years.
He missed out on the top spot to Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra but his catchy track peaked at number two in the UK charts.
Radio 2 held its Ultimate UK Eurovision Song vote with Ryder’s performance beating Bucks Fizz’s winning 1981 entry Making Your Mind Up into second place.
1996’s Ooh Aah… Just A Little Bit from Gina G came third in the BBC poll.
The 33-year-old singer-songwriter came second in last year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Italy, with his pop hit Space Man giving the UK its best result for more than 20 years
He missed out on the top spot to Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra but his catchy track peaked at number two in the UK charts
Tens of thousands of votes were cast for the competition.
Ryder said: ‘This is just bonkers! We went into that competition as fans and we thought it may be that we come absolutely dead last. I’m just so grateful.
‘Thanks to all of the listeners who voted and everyone… who supported the song from day one.’
Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said the station is ‘thrilled’ that Ryder’s song ‘continues to resonate so strongly’ with listeners.
She added: ‘It’s testament to Sam’s exceptional talent as a songwriter and performer.’
The list included two entries from Sir Cliff Richard in 1968 with Congratulations and Power To All Our Friends from 1973, the late Olivia Newton-John’s Long Live Love from 1974 and Lulu’s winning 1969 track Boom Bang-A-Bang.
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool next month after it was deemed too dangerous to host in Ukraine despite it winning last year.
The UK’s top 20 favourite Eurovision Song Contest entries of all time
The Top 20 Eurovision songs
Sam Ryder – Space Man (2022)
Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up (1981)
Gina G – Ooh Aah…Just a Little Bit (1996)
Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine a Light (1997)
Brotherhood of Man – Save Your Kisses for Me (1976)
Sandie Shaw – Puppet on a String (1967)
Cliff Richard – Congratulations (1968)
The New Seekers – Beg, Steal or Borrow (1972)
Lulu – Boom Bang-a-Bang (1969)
Michael Ball – One Step Out of Time (1992)
Sonia – Better the Devil You Know (1993)
Bardo – One Step Further (1982)
Scooch – Flying the Flag (For You) (2007)
Mary Hopkin – Knock, Knock Who’s There? (1970)
Imaani – Where Are You? (1998)
Olivia Newton-John – Long Live Love (1974)
Daz Sampson – Teenage Life (2006)
Cliff Richard – Power to All Our Friends (1973)
Lucie Jones – Never Give Up on You (2017)
Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran – Rock Bottom (1977)
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