Winto the b
Host reckons we have a tune to return Ireland to the glory days
LATE Late Show host Patrick Kielty thinks Ireland winning the Eurovision Song Contest would be a “bargain” for licence fee payers.
The presenter is gearing up to host his first ever Eurosong special on tonight’s programme.
Six hopefuls will be looking for the public’s vote to be chosen to fly the flag for Ireland at this year’s contest in Malmo, Sweden.
Asked if he thought spending hundreds of thousands of euro to send an act to Europe is value for money, Patrick admitted he thought it was “a bargain”.
He said: “I would say in the current climate any question about what is good value for licence fee payers, I mean, what are you talking about? Actually putting on the Eurovision? So if we win?
“I think if you look at the cost in terms of sending an act to bring the Eurovision back here... If you look at the last time we hosted it here, that will be in the showcase for the best of what we do in this country in terms of culture, media and entertainment.
“If you look at what’s happening in the film industry on this island, we’re now world leaders. People come here to shoot stuff. So I would say if we could go and win and bring it home, it’s a bargain.”
DECISION
The dad-of-two also called for a ceasefire to end the war in the Middle East but stated as he wasn’t a representative of the Eurovision, he couldn’t make a decision on whether or not Israel should continue to be allowed into the competition.
He said: “Look, I mean, I think you’re sort of asking the wrong man.
“I’m not in the EBU. They’re the people who make that decision. I’m not a representative of Eurovision.
“I’ve probably talked about this on the show before. I think what’s going on in Gaza at the minute is heartbreaking.
“What happened in Israel in October was horrific. Like most people, I want to see a ceasefire there as soon as we possibly can.
“I want to see humanitarian aid there. I want to see hostages released.
“I want to see people in Gaza being able to live their lives in safety and, you know, people in Israel living in peace and that, as I said before, seems like a long shot. But in terms of this, that’s kind of somebody else’s question.”
Patrick said he was looking forward to hosting his first Eurosong and he reckons we have an option that will qualify us for the final after a heartbreaking six years.
He added yesterday: “If you’re Irish and you’re my age, it’s the glory years, isn’t it? Where we sort of won for fun.
“It hasn’t been great, the last few years, since they brought in semifinals and all of that stuff. I think you might have a song that could get to the final out of tomorrow night.
“I can’t say who that is because I’m meant to be impartial. But talk to me on Saturday and I’ll tell you who I thought it was.
“So I kind of think we’re only one good song away from our glory days. So fingers crossed. This might be the year.”
The competing acts are Erica Cody singing Love Me Like I Do, AILSHA with Go Tobann, Jyellowl AKA Jean-luc Uddoh featuring Tosin with Judas, Isabella Kearney singing Let Me Be The Fire, Bambie Thug with Doomsday Blue and Next In Line with Love Like Us.
Each artist will perform their song, selected from hundreds of entries received by RTE following a callout for submissions last year.
Viewers at home will then have the opportunity to cast their vote for their favourite. The winner will perform at the Eurovision Song Contest in front of an audience of more than 160 million people worldwide.
Patrick said the Late Late studios will be transformed.
He added: “I think what is going to be fun is that this place is going to be packed with Eurovision nuts tomorrow night, so it’s going to be proper Eurovision atmosphere.
“And hopefully this is base camp for maybe a shot at the title.”
He revealed he was a big fan of
Eurovision growing up and was nine when he saw Johnny Logan perform a gig shortly after winning.
He said: “I am of the Johnny Logan white suit vintage.
“Probably one of the most disappointing things that happened – there were two things. Man United losing the 1979 cup final, that was fairly dramatic, and Johnny Logan winning Eurovision and my dad promoted Hilltown Hall.
“He was a showband promoter. And one of the first gigs Johnny did after he won the Eurovision was Hilltown Hall. So we thought that would just be the most natural thing for your dad to bring you, aged nine, to Johnny’s concert with a full bar.
“Like so many people, I’m part of the generation who cheered on Ireland when we became the high kings and queens of Eurovision.
“It would be amazing to think one of our six acts this year might be able to go to Sweden and bring back the glory days.”