Celine Dion ‘could make surprise Eurovision appearance despite battle with rare stiff person syndrome’

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By EMMA GUINNESS

Published: 01:32 BST, 17 May 2025 | Updated: 01:32 BST, 17 May 2025

Hopes are rising that music legend Celine Dion could make a surprise appearance at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday.

The hitmaker’s private jet is reported to have flown into Switzerland from Paris on Friday morning ahead of the event which she won 37 years ago.  

Celine, 57, has largely stayed out of the spotlight since announcing her battle with stiff person syndrome in December 2022 after cancelling scheduled tour dates.

She went on to explain that when she first attempted to sing with the illness, it felt like she was being strangled. 

However, she made a surprise appearance at the Paris Olympics, prompting hopes that she could pull off a rare performance at Eurovision.   

A Eurovision insider told The Sun: ‘The team have been talking to Celine about appearing or performing at the ceremony for months and it has been very up and down.’

Hopes are rising that music legend Celine Dion, 57, could make a surprise appearance at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday

The singer made a surprise appearance at the Paris Olympics, prompting hopes that she could pull off a rare performance at Eurovision

Celine has already been involved in this year’s competition and sent a heartfelt message to performers ahead of the semi-final on Tuesday from her Las Vegas home

However, because of the star’s ongoing illness, it has been difficult to ascertain whether she will be well enough to perform.  

They added: ‘At one point this week, it looked like she would not be attending, but now it is looking far more likely she will be there.

‘Rehearsals have gone ahead without her, but everyone is crossing their fingers.’ 

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Celine for comment.  

Celine has already been involved in this year’s competition and sent a heartfelt message to performers ahead of the semi-final on Tuesday.

She said from her home in Las Vegas, Nevada: ‘I’d love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now. 

‘Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me.

‘Music unites us. It is our strength, our support… in times of need.’ 

Stiff person syndrome is an incredibly rare neurological disorder that is characterised by muscle stiffness. 

Stiff person syndrome is an incredibly rare neurological disorder that is characterised by muscle stiffness

Celine’s private jet is reported to have flown into Switzerland from Paris on Friday morning ahead of the event which she won 37 years ago – she is pictured here at the 1988 contest, which she won

The painful condition is caused by an autoimmune response that causes the body to attack its own cells.

While there is currently no cure for the progressive illness, it can be helped with various treatments such as steroids. 

The illness is so rare that it is thought to affect just one or two people in every million. 

Celine herself admitted that she was only diagnosed via an extensive process of elimination. 

She has reportedly learned how to sing despite the illness through a combination of therapy and vocal rehabilitation. 

Celine told the BBC last year: ‘My voice will be rebuilt.’

She added: ‘My goal is to be part of the funds and raising money for awareness and to find a cure. That would be amazing.’

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Celine Dion ‘could make surprise Eurovision appearance despite battle with rare stiff person syndrome’

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