Eurovision 2021: James Newman reveals reason behind upbeat UK entry

Eurovision hopeful James Newman chose an upbeat dance number for this weekend’s final following the unfortunate timing of his entry last year.

His 2020 song was called My Last Breath… written before the world became caught in the grip of coronavirus.

‘There were still loads of interviews to do so I had to be “chin up and smile”,’ said the 35-year-old.

‘I had to find the positives of it, in a time when loads of people were dying of a respiratory disease. It was just such bad luck that we wrote a song with that title right before the pandemic.’

James — big brother to singer John Newman — never made it to the Eurovision stage as the event was called off.

Now, a year later, he’s off to Rotterdam, hoping to dodge the dreaded ‘nul points’ with a new ditty called Embers.

‘After the pandemic hit, I really wanted to do a dance song that we could have fun with,’ James told Radio Times. ‘I can say I have been practising my dancing, so you might see me bust a move or two! It has been a year of performing in my kitchen!

‘The whole reason I got into music from such a young age was because I love performing in front of people, so I am so excited to go and do that on such a massive stage.’

The final is on BBC One this Saturday, and the United Kingdom’s scores will be read out by Amanda Holden.

More Guilty Pleasures…

I can’t wait for club, sweat and cheers, says Raye

If you find someone pressing up against you on the dance floor once restrictions lift it’s likely to be Raye, who wants to feel clubbers’ ‘sweaty bodies’ again.

The Bed singer says she is ‘so over’ with lying about in hers.

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Dressed and ready to go in these shots for Rollacoaster, Raye, 23, told Guilty Pleasures: ‘During lockdown I’ve had the most success I’ve ever had as an artist. It’s brilliant, but I’m a people person. I can’t wait to go clubbing. I need to feel sweaty bodies.’

Scary speaks out for abuse victims

Putting on a brave face to cover up domestic abuse can feel ‘embarrassing and shameful’, says Mel B.

Scary Spice appears battered and bloodied in a video called Love Should Not Hurt, in support of the charity Women’s Aid.

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Mel, 45, said: ‘You put on your armour, and you walk out into the world, but behind closed doors it’s very different… embarrassing and shameful.’

The singer, who split from husband Stephen Belafonte in 2018, claimed she had suffered abuse — allegations he has denied.

Has Maya hooped up with Ben?

Maya Jama’s fans are convinced she has scored towering Australian basketballer Ben Simmons after the 26-year-old presenter posted a picture of herself in the NBA star’s kitchen, wearing his basketball shorts.

Not a lot of Love for Lily…

Courtney Love branded Lily James ‘vile’ for playing Pamela Anderson in a TV series.

‘So f***ing outrageous,’ Courtney, 56, fumed on Facebook. She said seeing her life portrayed would cause Pammie ‘trauma’.

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