SEX Pistols’ singer John Lydon is to battle with pop band Wild Youth to represent Ireland at Eurovision.
The 66-year-old, who fronted the iconic UK punk band as Johnny Rotten in the 1970s, will be one of the acts performing in a Eurovision Eurosong Late Late Special on February 3.
Rumours had been circulating at the weekend after the website for the star’s current band PiL (Public Image Limited) warned fans to “stay tuned for a big announcement on Monday”.
PiL’s song Hawaii was recorded as a “love letter” to John Lydon’s wife of nearly five decades, Nora, who has Alzheimer’s.
Described as “a pensive, personal yet universal love song that will resonate with many”, the song reflects on one of the couple’s happiest times together.
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Lydon said of the song, which he hopes will be chosen for May’s Eurovision competition in Liverpool: “It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most. It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”
The London Irish singer made a previous Eurovision bid to represent Ireland in the 2018 contest when his song Pleased To Meet You made it to the final ten shortlisted to be Ireland’s entry.
But ex Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ryan O’Shaughnessy ended up representing Ireland, finishing 16th in Lisbon.
Dublin four-piece Wild Youth is PiL’s main competition — with their song We Are One, which was written in Sweden with Grammy-nominated songwriter Jörgen Elofsson.
Wild Youth said: “Eurovision is something we have always loved and we would love to represent our country. We hope that everyone loves the song that we’ve written and believe we can be the band to represent Ireland this year.”
Other songs competing to represent Ireland include Leila Jane’s song Wild, Connolly’s Midnight Summer Night, ADGY’s Too Good for Your Love; and K Muni & ND’s Down in the Rain.
Michael Kealy, RTÉ Eurovision Head of Delegation, said: “I am really impressed by the quality and standard of the six acts we have in our Eurosong final this year . . . whichever of our six finalists gets to represent Ireland in Liverpool in May I’ve no doubt they will represent us brilliantly.”
Liverpool will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine in the Liverpool Arena on Saturday May 13, with semi-finals on May 9 and May 11.
Ireland has won Eurovision seven times.
Last year’s show, watched by 161 million, was won by the Ukrainian act Kalush Orchestra and their song Stefania. But Ukraine is unable to host this year’s contest due to the conflict with Russia.
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Speaking to The Irish Sun back in 2018 John, said he felt Irish enough to represent Ireland in Eurovision as his father was from Tuam and his mother from Cork, he said: "I feel very Irish. I feel Irish. I was born to handle a shovel.
"I didn't choose a singing career. It chose me."
He added: "Representing Ireland at Eurovision is no easy thing to walk into but somebody has to finally pay attention and trust me.
"Frankly after all these years, I think I deserve it...It's a scary thing to walk out on a stage in front of millions of people but we could do this and win it.
"At the very least it would bring a breath of fresh air to Eurovision".
