11 May 2024 , 08:00
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Eurovision enthusiasts tuned into BBC One last night as Olly Alexander took to the stage in Malmo for his first UK performance for the semi-finals - and fans are not happy.
The 33-year-old singer and actor is representing Great Britain with his tune Dizzy and was joined by a group of shirtless backup dancers during his performance. Olly and his dancers appeared to be walking on the ceiling and spinning around thanks to some handy camera work.
Olly's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest was announced in mid-December 2023 with the singer admitting to the BBC he'd "wanted to do it for a while" and it "felt like this was the right time to start releasing music under my name." A stark contrast with his days in pop band Years & Years.
Olly Alexander gave it his all at his first Eurovision performance, where he is representing the UK (Getty Images)From pop band glory to solo fame
Olly Alexander first gained recognition as part of Years & Years, a band which was formed in 2010 by Mikey Goldsworthy, Noel Leeman and Emre Türkmen. The group released their first single "I Wish I Knew" in July, 2012, and welcomed fifth member Olivier Subria.
While success was brewing, however, Olivier and Noel left the band a three-piece with Olly, Mikey and Emre taking the reins, releasing their second single "Traps" in September 2013. They reached the top of the charts the following year with their song "Take Shelter."
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The group went on to release another string of hits for several years but in March, 2021, the band announced their next project would essentially be a solo project by Olly Alexander, to be released under the group's name. In January, 2022, Olly revealed the band had gone their separate ways as they began to disagree "more and more."
"It had been on the cards for a really long time, in many ways, because we had changed so much as a band", Olly told the PA News Agency. "We all still get on and we loved going on tour and playing songs and everything – but when it came to it creatively, we disagreed more and more. It became obvious that we all wanted to do different things."
Since then, Olly has been focused on his own place in the spotlight, from his singing to his acting career - the star has notably been praised for his performance as Ritchie Tozer in the Channel 4 drama It's A Sin.
Furious backlash on and off stage
As mentioned, Olly Alexander gave it his all in the semi-finals during his performance on Tuesday. The singer wore a distressed vest top and red trousers for the show, which many viewers raved about on social media such as X, otherwise known as Twitter.
Unfortunately, multiple other fans weren't as over the moon with one penning: "Shockingly poor singing there from Olly Alexander." Another added: "sorry but I don't think much of #OllyAlexander Dizzy UK entry. Set and production poor."
"Had high hopes for the UK @Eurovision this year with Olly Alexander but it sounded a little ropey at the semi-final just now", a third fan added. Another criticised: "Let’s be honest. Olly Alexander just doesn’t have the voice." Ireland's Bambie Thug eventually overshadowed him, although his fans have taken a stand for him.
While on the set of Lorraine this Wednesday, May 8, Olly revealed a wardrobe malfunction was responsible for his shaky performance in Malmo. But this isn't the first time Olly causes a stir.
Speaking amid heightened tensions surrounding Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Olly admitted to feeling a bit "overwhelmed." In a documentary titled Olly Alexander’s Road To Eurovision ’24, he had mentioned the political backdrop the Eurovision was set against this year. An open letter signed by more than 100 queer artists and allies notably called for him to withdraw from the contest in solidarity with Palestine.
"A lot of the contestants and myself have been [receiving] a lot of comments [saying] ‘you are complicit in a genocide by taking part in Eurovision’, which is quite extreme. It’s very extreme." He had then continued: "I understand where that sentiment is coming from, but I think it’s not correct. It’s an incredibly complicated political situation [and] one that I’m not qualified to speak on. The backdrop to this is actual immense suffering. It’s a humanitarian crisis – a war."
Tearful, Olly continued: "People should do what’s right for them, if they want to boycott Eurovision, if they don’t feel comfortable watching, that’s their choice, and I respect that, you know? Eurovision is, you know, it’s meant to be, like, an apolitical contest, but that’s, like, a fantasy."
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Mystery love life
The Harrogate, North Yorkshire star keeps his personal life under wraps, protected from any prying eyes and it remains unclear if he is romantically involved with anybody.
In 2015, however, Olly was linked to Clean Bandit star Neil Milan Amin-Smith with the pair sharing a brief romance before splitting up months later due to their scheduling conflicts. During a chat with Attitude shortly after their separation, Olly said: "We've had less and less time to spend together and the time we did have together were such short periods it put so much pressure on our relationship."
Seven years later, while on Charli XCX’s Best Song Ever podcast, Olly revealed he was in love once again after remaining single "for quite a while", but he refused to divulge anything about his new partner.
"I haven’t been in one place for so long, so just having this experience with someone I really love and being able to lean on someone has been amazing", he said. "I was single for quite a while." As of 2024, it is unknown whether the pair are still involved as Olly keeps his private life a mystery from his 763k Instagram followers.