BGT won’t be on next Saturday...
BRITAIN’S Got Talent will not air on Saturday night next week, with channel bosses ‘cancelling’ the show to avoid a ratings clash with the Eurovision Song Contest.
New
The new series of the ITV programme will still air its usual primetime slot tonight.
However, on Saturday ITV will air Bond film Casino Royale instead and next week’s BGT will be shown on Sunday, May 12.
The Eurovision final will dominate the evening schedule on BBC One, with live coverage from Malmo beginning at 8pm and expected to run past 11pm.
BAMBIE Thug has promised they will “stand out” following previous Irish Eurovision entrants failing to make the final in the last four attempts.
Ireland and Sweden are level for the most wins in the contest’s history, at seven each, ahead of it being held in Malmo.
Swedish star Loreen triumphed last year with her song Tattoo.
Irish 2018 competitor Ryan O’Shaughnessy was the last of our entrants to reach the final with Together. He came in 16th position.
Ireland has not won the Eurovision since 1996 with Eimear Quinn’s The Voice.
Bambie Robinson, who is entering with the electro-metal song Doomsday Blue, said: “Ireland hasn’t [got] into the final because the songs haven’t been, I guess, standing out.”
Poets
“And ours definitely does that this year so I would be very, very encouraging riots if I wasn’t in the final.”
Asked if they think they are going to change perceptions of Irish music, Bambie (31) said: “I would say that the thing about Ireland that runs through the Irish musicians, regardless of genre, is lyricism.
“Ireland is the land of poets, so lyrically...I think it just showcases that we’re still awesome with words.
“And is it different from what we’ve [been] sending? Yes it is.
“You know, alternative music does not have enough light in Ireland. It’s not given enough airtime. I’m not given enough airtime.
“And I would, I would hope that my performance, kind of gives a shock to the world that is needed to bring some much needed respect and eyes back on our homegrown [acts].”
They said they are “really excited” about their staging. Bambie said: “I’m just really excited to bring some like, theatre, storytelling and romance to the screen.”
The Co Cork singer will also bring their elaborate Gothic garments to Eurovision.
They said they will use outfits created by “young queer designers” at Malmo Arena.
Witchcraft
Bambie, who has been outspoken about practising witchcraft, says they are “harking back to an older tradition than what is maybe known globally of what Ireland is”.
Bambie added: “Things like witchcraft and things are also gaining much more traction in the world. A lot more people are into it again, and a lot more people are practising.
“I think Irish people are inherently magical and connected to the earth and yeah, I mean, I’m obsessed, so it all melds together.”
Bambie, whose father is from Sweden, says they went to a Catholic convent school and was baptised Protestant.
Bambie said they are also the only Swedish contestant as the country’s entrants Marcus & Martinus are Norwegian.
They added: “I grew up in Ireland, my whole life was Ireland apart from summers really, some Christmases growing up.
“I was never taught Swedish as a kid so I don’t speak either of my mother tongues you know. I don’t speak Irish and I don’t speak Swedish so I only speak the devil’s tongue.”
Bambie then laughed, before saying they are “really looking forward to going back to Sweden” and eating salty Swedish liquorice.