Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

Eurovision to allow 3,500 fans at arena

- BY NICOLA METHVEN TV Editor

EUROVISION bosses have been given the go-ahead to let 3,500 fans attend the song contest in person.

The event is being staged at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena next month.

And as part of a trial by the Dutch government unveiled yesterday, the venue can be half-filled with fans who have proof of a negative Covid test.

It will come as a boost to UK entrant James Newman who missed out on the show of a lifetime last year when it was cancelled.

The decision to make the 39-nation contest a “test bed” for other major events was welcomed by organising body the European Broadcasti­ng Union

The final is on May 22, in a head to head with the live-streamed Glastonbur­y.

The star has just found out she’s up for Best Female Solo, Album of the Year and British Single at the UK’S music industry bash – and it was yesterday revealed that she is worth at least £11million.

Dua already grabbed a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal in March, so it looks like the star behind album Future Nostalgia will have a year to remember. Speaking about her trio of nods from the Brits, Dua said: “This is really overwhelmi­ng. I am so proud of my album Future Nostalgia.

“Thanks so much to everyone who has supported me and enjoyed my music. It means everything to me.”

Dua will be performing at the awards bash in May – but she definitely won’t be singing for her supper.

Latest accounts for her company Dua Lipa Limited, up to December 31, 2019, show she raked in £3.3m more than she did in 2018.

And the star is worth even more because a separate company handles the money from her live gigs.

DEALS

The cash has rolled in thanks to a string of hits and lucrative brand deals. Hardworkin­g Dua’s singles include Hotter Than Hell and chart-toppers New Rules and One Kiss.

Future Nostalgia was the tenth biggest-selling album in the world last year.

She has fronted Jaguar and Adidas campaigns, is the face of Saint Laurent’s latest perfume and has a clothing range with Pepe Jeans. Dua is leading the charge of female artists at the Brits.

For the first time, four are battling it out for Album of the Year, with Dua up against Arlo Parks, Celeste and Jessie Ware. Last year only men made the list for the night’s biggest prize. There is also a particular­ly strong Internatio­nal Female Solo Artist category, including Ariana Grande, Cardi B and Miley Cyrus. It’s not the first time Dua has received Brits nomination­s.

She earned four in 2019 and five in 2018. Comedian Jack Whitehall will be returning for a fourth time to host the ceremony at London’s O2 arena. Brits winners are voted for by around 1,500 people from across the UK music industry.

 ??  ?? UK HOPE James Newman
UK HOPE James Newman

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