Sam Ryder is still processing an impressive second place finish in the Eurovision Song Contest
British Eurovision star Sam Ryder says he is still “processing” his experience at the international singing competition after coming second.
The singer and TikTok star, 32, said he plans to rewatch the entire program on Monday and “just enjoy it again”.
Ryder finished second to Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra on Saturday night, giving Britain its best Eurovision Song Contest result in more than 20 years and ending a dismal two-year zero streak.
He appeared on BBC show The One Show after a full day of media attention, which also saw his song Space Man topping the UK music chart at the end of the week, and his success in Turin was even mentioned in EastEnders.
“I’m still processing… is it real? Did it happen?” Ryder told One Show hosts Alex Scott and Jermaine Jenas.
“I’m going to watch the whole thing again tonight and just enjoy it again.
“When you’re there and just experiencing, not just as an artist but as a fan, being in that arena and feeling the tangible joy – it’s like being in a church.”
“Everything Eurovision celebrates and is about is the best of us and I’m so thankful I got to experience it.”
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Ryder said before the results even came in on Saturday night, he and his team were “already excited”.
“There wasn’t anything we needed more, we had everything from the experience, we were totally fulfilled,” he said.
His success was featured on the long-running BBC One soap EastEnders, which aired immediately after his appearance on The One Show and just two days after Eurovision.
Space Man is heard in the background of the opening scenes while characters Callum Highway (Tony Clay) and Frankie Lewis (Rose Ayling-Ellis) discuss the results.
Clay seems upset about his relationship with husband Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), prompting Ayling-Ellis to joke, “This is about the Eurovision Song Contest, isn’t it?
“But Ukraine deserved this win and there is always next year.”
Clay replies, “You know, I never watched it before, and then Ben got me into it and … zero points every year, the one year we don’t watch it together, we get second.”
Conclude
Sam Ryder arrives at Wogan House for a live interview on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show (Ian West/PA)
A special update released by the Official Charts Company on Monday showed that Space Man sits at number three behind Cat Burns and last week’s chart-topper Harry Styles.
Only 340 chart sales separate Ryder and singer Burns.
Space Man would be the first Eurovision single to reach number one in the UK since 1996’s Gina G’s Ooh Ahh (Just A Little Bit).
Martin Talbot, Managing Director of the Official Charts Company, said: “The UK has gone Eurovision-crazy this year so it’s fantastic to see Sam Ryder’s Space Man making a real bid for number one on the Official Charts this week.
“And just as the nation cheered him on last Saturday, they will no doubt be cheering him on for the rest of this week.
“Let’s hope he can take his second place finish in Torino and top the field on the UK Official Singles Chart.”
Essex’s Ryder has been uploading cover songs to TikTok during lockdown, drawing the attention of global stars like Justin Bieber and Alicia Keys.
He signed to the Parlophone record label, part of Warner Music Group, and released his debut EP The Sun’s Gonna Rise in 2021.
He landed at London’s Heathrow Airport on Sunday wearing a pink Kalush Orchestra hat, a celebratory nod to this year’s winners.
Speaking on BBC Radio 2, Ryder said Ukraine “needs” victory and will “always win” after the Russian invasion.
“It’s so important that we use the Eurovision platform to celebrate solidarity and bring light into the darkness,” he said.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/sam-ryder-still-processing-impressive-second-place-in-eurovision-song-contest-41656190.html Sam Ryder is still processing an impressive second place finish in the Eurovision Song Contest
