Entertainment
James Newman wants to ‘focus on positives’ as he breaks silence on Eurovision defeat
Singer James Newman has addressed his Eurovision Song Contest defeat, after his tune Embers failed to score any points over the weekend.
Thanking fans for their support after the upset, James said he wants to ‘focus on the positives of this amazing experience’.
In a sad turn out for UK Eurovision hopefuls, James was the only contestant to score zero points from both the jury vote and from the public vote, putting him at the bottom on the leaderboard for the event.
Italy’s rock band Maneskin went on to win the contest with their song Zitti E Buoni (which has since been overshadowed by allegations of drug use, which the band has vehemently denied).
Breaking his silence in posts on Twitter and Instagram days after the results, James said: ‘I want to focus on the positives of this amazing experience. I stood on a stage and sang to hundreds of millions of people with a song that I wrote and love.
‘I’ve learnt so much from the amazing people who gave everything to help me live my dream, the dancers, my choreographer, my vocal coach, everyone from my label, my manager and the BBC, and all the people behind the scenes at Eurovision and the arena.
‘All these people are the best in the business and I got the chance to work with them and share this crazy experience that I’m so lucky to have the chance to do.
‘The thing about writing songs is that there is no guarantee that a song you think will connect with people, will connect with an audience.’
He went on: ‘Thank you to all the amazing dedicated fans who have supported me through the whole thing, made it all worth it. Because at the end of the day they are the people who you do this all for.
‘I just want to say a huge massive thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has been on this journey with me, supported me, listened to my music and filled my life with positivity and love.
‘The times when it doesn’t play out how you hoped it might, teach you how to pick yourself up and be stronger x.’
His brother, the singer John Newman, commented on his post writing: ‘So so so proud of what you have achieved! On to the next bucket list tick to you and take only the positives with you as these are what make you a better person x.’
Ever the good sport, James took his defeat in good humour during the event, drinking a beer and standing up to applause from the live audience in the arena.
The singer, who is the older brother of pop star John, had hoped to win over viewers with his rendition of upbeat track Embers, which was inspired by the end of lockdown.
The UK is no stranger to the bottom of the Eurovision leaderboard after we came in last place in 2019 with Michael Rice’s Bigger Than Us.
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