The 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place on May 22 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
And hosts of the UK coverage on BBC Four, Rylan Clark-Neal, 32, and Scott Mills, 47, have transformed into officers of the law for a Line Of Duty spoof.
As heads of the BBC’s ESC-21 unit, the presenting duo grill 2021’s UK entry James Newman, 35, in the skit, which will be screened during the first semi-final on May 18.
Line of duty! Rylan Clark-Neal, 32, and Scott Mills, 47, have transformed into detectives for a Line Of Duty spoof, which will air during the first Eurovision Song Contest semi-final on May 18
Rylan and Scott are set to be joined by singer-songwriter Chelcee Grimes for the BBC Four broadcast on May 18.
It was announced at the end of February that James Newman would return to represent the United Kingdom at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest.
The BRIT Award winner will take to the stage in Rotterdam with a new song after the 2020 final was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.
Due to the cancellation all of last year’s Eurovision acts have been invited to represent their country in this year’s final, which is expected to have social distancing measures and a limited crowd in place.
Getting into character: As heads of the BBC’s ESC-21 unit, the presenting duo grill 2021’s UK entry James Newman, 35, in the skit
Grilling! Rylan and Scott wore uniforms and sat with a police style interview recorder during the mock interrogation
Speaking about his return he said: ‘I’m so excited and honoured to be getting a second chance at representing my country in the Eurovision Song Contest.
‘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, says: ‘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!’
He’s back! James Newman, 35, will return to represent the United Kingdom at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest
Mel Balac, Creative Director for BBC Studios, says: ‘James has really embraced being part of the Eurovision family and team ESC UK are delighted that he is getting another shot at Eurovision.’
James won a BRIT Award in 2014 for Best British Single after co-writing Rudimental and Ella Eyre’s Waiting All Night.
Michael Rice represented the UK in 2019, but finished the nation’s poor run of results in the final, finishing in last place with just 11 points after a vote correction.
This year’s Eurovision is expected to see many 2020 acts return with new songs to compete, as rules state they cannot return with the same track as last year.
Superstar: BRIT Award winner James will take to the stage in Rotterdam in The Netherlands on 22nd May with a new song after the 2020 final was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic
Last year many fans called for Iceland’s viral track Think About Things by Daði og Gagnamagnið to be crowned the winner even before the final had been cancelled.
Bosses opted to replace the competition with a special Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light which showcased the artists due to take part at a sombre time when the continent was gripped by the pandemic.
As one of the Big Five countries (United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy), the United Kingdom does not have to qualify from the semi-final stage of the competition and will gain automatic access to the Saturday Grand Final.
The Netherlands, as the incumbent champion, will also not need to qualify from the semi-final stage and will gain automatic entry to the Grand Final.
The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will air on BBC One on Saturday 22nd May in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The semi-finals will also air on BBC Four on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th May.
Give it the title! Last year, before the final was cancelled, many fans called for Iceland’s viral track Think About Things by Daði og Gagnamagnið to be crowned the winner