Entertainment
John Newman wishes brother James luck ahead of Eurovision 2021 final: ‘So proud of my big bro’
John Newman has wished his brother James good luck ahead of his big performance at tonight’s Eurovision final.
James, 35, is representing the UK in the singing contest, and as a member of the big five, the country automatically qualifies for the grand finale in Rotterdam, alongside Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
Just hours before the big show, John, 30, took to Instagram Stories to praise his older sibling, and encourage supporters to vote for him.
He wrote: ‘So proud of my big bro! Smash it up mate, we are all there with you!
‘Everyone go vote for @jamesnewman In @eurovision tonight!’
James is attempting to win the competition for the UK with a performance of his song Embers.
He was also previously selected to represent the nation in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest, which was unfortunately cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It comes after James previously revealed the advice his brother had given him just days before the final.
John himself is also a singer, and is known for hits such as Love Me Again and Come And Get It, and told his bro that enjoying the big day was the most important thing of all.
Speaking during a welcome reception hosted by Joanna Roper, the UK’s ambassador to the Netherlands, he explained: ‘Obviously we speak all the time, he’s like, “You’ve just got to enjoy every minute of it.”
‘He’s done so many massive things, not as big as this, because this is huge, he’s never sang to 180 million people. He’s sang to thousands and thousands of people and been on huge TV shows and stuff so he knows what it’s like.’
He added: ‘He was like, “It’s an amazing experience, you’ve just got to take every moment in and not let it pass you by because being up there and being on that stage is a gift and is beautiful”. He knows what it’s like so it’s great to have him as a confidant.’
James is also aware of the UK’s track record when it comes to performing well in Eurovision in recent years, and is encouraging the British public to get behind the country in the contest.
He told Metro.co.uk: ‘I was speaking to someone from Europe and they were saying the UK is a really important country in the competition and they’re glad we’re here and making an effort and I think that’s all we can do.
‘In Sweden, people really care and we need to do the same. Clara Amfo played my song on Radio One and Scott Mills – people hear it, talk and get behind the song in the UK like they do in other countries.
‘We can do well if we make the effort. People need to be more positive – come on guys, it’s not like we’re terrible – we’re really good at music!’
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