Olly Alexander gets crushing blow week before representing UK at Eurovision-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

UK Eurovision act Olly Alexander has suffered a blow (Picture: Jim Dyson/Getty Images)

Olly Alexander has been dealt a blow just a week before representing the UK at Eurovision.

The performer, 33, is set to take to the stage with his song Dizzy at the contest, which will be held in Malmo, Sweden.

Olly has already found global success as the frontman of band Years & Years, who have had three successful albums (two of which hit number 1 in the UK album chart) and 10 UK top 40 singles.

He also starred in Russell T Davies’ TV drama It’s A Sin, which followed a group of friends living under the shadow of the AIDS crisis.

His appearance at Eurovision marks his first solo music venture and while he’s previously been named as one of the favourites, his odds to win have now drastically reduced.

Coral Bookmakers have now reported that Switzerland, who are being represented by rapper Nemo, is the favourite to win, with odds at 2-1.

His odds to win the song contest have turned (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Croatia is second best in the betting at 9-4, while Italy can be backed at 4-1.

However, the UK is a 66-1 outsider to cause an upset.

They are just 7-1 to finish in last place and 20-1 to score 0 points this year.

‘Switzerland top our betting to win the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time since Celine Dion triumphed in Dublin in 1988,’ Coral’s John Hill said.

‘We are not expecting it to be a great night for Olly Alexander, as the UK is more likely to finish with 0 points than win the competition, according to our odds.’

The contest is being held in Sweden after singer Loreen took out the win in Liverpool last year with her song Tattoo.

Sweden entrant Loreen won Eurovision 2023 (Picture: PA)

From May 7-11, a total of 37 countries will be competing in this year’s contest, six of which automatically qualified for the final.

These six are last year’s winners Sweden, along with the ‘Big 5’ of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

The other countries will compete in the semi-finals for a place in the grand final, with the top 10 from each semi-final qualifying.

The 2024 Eurovision grand final will take place on Saturday, May 11, with the semi-finals being held on Tuesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 9.

The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast on the BBC.

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