The video footage from the show’s telecast featured the Måneskin singer allegedly using drugs, the footage shows David leaning over the table with his head in a bowed position. Since the footage was released, various social media users have circulated rumours that the frontman was using cocaine. David has reputed these allegations, stating that he was picking up pieces of broken glass he found and not snorting cocaine, the frontman decided to end these rumours and speculation during the press conference after Måneskin’s victory. The band’s representatives have also announced that no illegal substances were present at the event.

The video has sparked controversy for the Italian performers as well as the Eurovision Song Contest itself with officials from the European Broadcasting Union, an organisation which provides an alliance of public service media operations, launching an investigation into the matter. The investigation also saw David himself volunteer to take a drugs test to proof his innocence.

The European Broadcasting Union have released a statement, confirming that the drug test in which David took was negative. “A drug test was also voluntarily undertaken earlier today by the lead singer of the band Måneskin which has returned a negative result seen by the EBU, No drug use took place in the green room and we consider the matter closed.“. They also added that the organisation was “alarmed that inaccurate speculation leading to fake news has overshadowed the spirit and the outcome of the event and unfairly affected the band”

The European Broadcasting Union have also backed up David’s statement that he was picking up broken glass, showed during the footage, The EBU have stated that evidence of broken glass was backstage at the event. “The band, their management, and head of delegation have informed us that no drugs were present in the green room, and explained that a glass was broken at their table and it was being cleared by the singer“

Måneskin beat out acts from all over Europe, this included UK’s entry and representative James Newman. Newman entered with famous competition with his song ‘Embers’, although the track was received with a somewhat positive attitude from the public, the song and performance earned the singer zero points, placing Newman in last place. The 35-year-old singer was set to represent the UK in the competition last year with the song, ‘My Last Breath’ but unfortunately the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far the UK has won five Eurovision Song Contests, the first win being in 1967 from Sandie Shaw with her song ‘Puppet on a String’. The next win was in 1969 with Lulu’s song ‘Boom Bang-a-Bang’, perhaps the most famous win came from Brotherhood of Man in 1976 with their celebrated song ‘Save Your Kisses For Me’. UK’s most recent triumph was in 1997 with the winning track ‘Love, Shine a Light’ performed by Katrina and the Waves.

Newman was given a second chance when reselected to represent the UK later this year in Eurovision 2021 which is scheduled to take place 18-22 May in Rotterdam. Newman premiered ‘Embers’ with an official accompanying music video.

The track is a more upbeat dance song compared to last year’s entry, a ballad My Last Breath. The new song is more likeable and catchier than Newman’s previous entry, a more exciting and adventurous song than what the UK usually presents in the competition. The UK last found Eurovision success back in 1997 with the Katrina and the Waves song ‘Love, Shine a Light’.

Speaking to Radio 1 Newsbeat, Newman explained “Embers is about those sparks that don’t die out. When we were writing this, it felt like I wanted to show everyone that we were coming back together.” He continued, “It’s about having that connection and something reigniting. It’s about us emerging from this rubbish time we’ve been having. It fits with the idea that Eurovision is coming back.”

Newman wanted to represent the UK with a song that was a little more positive post-pandemic stating: “Eurovision is a celebration of music and Embers fits in that vibe. Hopefully, people like it.”

Reception for the song has been positive, with many people taking to social media to show their support.

Loving #Embers easily one of our best Eurovision tracks of this century, but more importantly it actually sounds British and chart worthy. Hope to see this play listed across R1 and R2 and with any luck some commercial stations will pick it up if BMG know what they’re doing

— Simon (@backtothewater) March 11, 2021

im literally a sucker for uk pop/dance music and embers is giving me eeeeverything i wanted it to be, im so happy

— lena (@thatrhythmback) March 11, 2021

So I’ve listented to “Embers” by James Newman and this must be the most modern song the UK probably send this century. The track sounds very British, yet also fresh due to the trumpets, could be easily a number one hit and is a true bop, hopefully the best UK result since 2009

— Steffen || #Melfest (@steffenbrrng) March 11, 2021

Although there has long been a general consensus that the UK never do too well in the European singing competition, ‘Embers’ has given the nation high hopes that we could find success this year.

Newman is a singer-songwriter based in London. He has previously won a Brit Award for co-writing ‘Waiting All Night’, the up-beat track from Rudimental and Ella Eyre. He has also written for Ed Sheeran and Jess Glynne, as well as being John Newman’s older brother.

The singer, who was set to perform ‘My Last Breath’ from his 2020 EP ‘The Things We Do’, has promised to come back with a brand new track for this years event. He tweeted ‘Super happy to announce that I’ll be representing the UK at the 2021 @Eurovision song contest! (for real this time!) Things didn’t go to plan last year but this year we’re back (with a brand new song no less!) keep your eyes and ears peeled  x #ESC2021

Super happy to announce that I’ll be representing the UK at the 2021 @Eurovision song contest! (for real this time!)

Things didn’t go to plan last year but this year we’re back (with a brand new song no less!) keep your eyes and ears peeled x#ESC2021 pic.twitter.com/vDqUB2w3Gu

— James Newman (@JamesNewmanUk) February 19, 2021

The singer stated to the BBC, “I feel like everyone wants a party and to have some fun so when I was writing, that’s what I had in my head. I wanted something people can dance to, even if it’s just in their kitchen.” He continued “I haven’t stopped making new music in lockdown and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the song I’m taking to Eurovision in 2021.

 Jo Wallace, Acting Controller Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC, said: “We are so pleased to have James back with us and representing the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2021. After 2020 and the postponing of the 65th song contest Eurovision is exactly what everyone needs!”

 To give Newman a run for his money, Iceland’s Daði Freyr will also be returning. Being last years favourites to win, the singer will return with his track ‘Think About Things’ that went viral and ended up being used for Strictly Come Dancing’s promo campaign. The singer has already asked for members of the public to join a virtual choir for his 2021 return to the Eurovision contest, meaning ‘he has eyes on a win in 2021’. 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Daði Freyr (@dadimakesmusic)

The organisers of the 65th Eurovision Song Contest have taken extra precautions to ensure that the event will go ahead. They have prepared for a ‘series of scenarios’ to ensure the contest happens this year, no matter the severity of the pandemic and its restrictions. This means that James Newman will definitely be the UK’s offering for the contest, regardless of travel restrictions, meaning contestants can either perform live in Rotterdam or remotely in their home country or in quarantine.

Graham Norton, who commentates the Eurovision Contest for the UK has confirmed the event will go ahead stating “There’s definitely going to be a Eurovision… The competition element is going to happen.” The event will take place on 22nd May 2021.

Follow James Newman for updates on the UK’s track at the contest and be sure to vote at the 65th Eurovision Song Contest!

“My Last Breath” is a track by English singer/songwriter James Newman. It is a heart-warming track in which Newman expresses his perseverance in the face of all difficulties he has to go through. “If we were deep-sea divers, and no one came to find us,” sings Newman. “If you had nothing left, I’d give you my last breath.”

This year’s UK musical warrior wrote this song when he was in Scotland with his fellow songwriters Ed Drewett, Iain James, and Adam Argyle. The song received an inspiration from a documentary about a diver in the North Sea who was rescued due to him getting lost with his crew, and the story has been portrayed in the music video for the track, which features Wim Hof, a Dutch cold water swimmer.

Newman has expressed his pride to be the UK’s representative for Eurovision this year, which fulfills his dream of becoming a performer: “Since I was a little kid, I’ve always wanted to be an artist and performer myself,” says James. “It just feels like the right time to start putting songs out.”

ดูโพสต์นี้บน Instagram

Feeling very honoured and very excited to announce that I have been chosen to represent the UK in @eurovision 2020!! I will be performing my brand new single ‘My Last Breath’, which is out today! Watch the video now at the link in my bio x . . . . #Eurovision #OpenUp #MyLastBreath

โพสต์ที่แชร์โดย James Newman (@jamesnewman) เมื่อ ก.พ. 27, 2020 เวลา 2:10am PST

Newman is no stranger to the music scene in the UK. The singer is behind the success of smash hits with the likes of Calvin Harris’ “Blame” and Rudimental’s “Waiting All Night”, as he is one of the writers of those two tracks. Furthermore, Newman is a frequent collaborator with Rudimental for multiple tracks on their 2015 album We the Generation, with “Lay It All on Me” as one of the massive hits.

Interestingly, he already had an experience with Eurovision before his entry this year. Newman co-wrote Ireland’s 2017 bid “Dying to Try” by Brendan Murray; however, the track was not able to pass the semi-finals.

Newman also has many impressive credits for writing numerous songs with A-listed pop stars. Among the tracks he helps co-write appear Jess Glynne’s “All I Am”, Little Mix’s “Love Me Like You”, Kesha’s “Let Em Talk”, Louis Tomlinson’s “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart”, and the list keeps going on.

Another fun fact: James Newman is the older brother of vocal powerhouse John Newman. And the brothers have helped each other write many songs together, one of which is John’s track “Fire in Me”.

UK’s entry this year is different from other previous entries. Normally, the song entry of the UK is chosen by the public-voted show Eurovision: You Decide. In contrast, 2020’s track is picked up by the BBC in partnership with BMG, the record label that signs James Newman, who shared the vision of “selecting a song with broad international appeal and securing an artist who embodies the spirit and values of the Eurovision Song Contest.”

James Newman will be the UK competitor for the finals of Eurovision in Rotterdam on May 16.