‘Eurovision Song Contest’ hopeful Michael Rice has lucky charms from his grandmother to inspire him to victory.
The 21-year-old singer will represent the UK in the final of the annual competition on Saturday (18.05.19) with his song ‘Bigger Than Us’, and he has revealed how nan Carol will be pushing him on in his bid to win.
He told the Daily Star: "My nan is dead religious because she has an Irish background and she gave me this little card with Mary on it that she was given when he was a child.
"She also gave me some straw. I always have them with me when I perform. It’s nice to have something to believe in so I put them in my pocket for good luck.
"It’s a way of always having my nan with me. I think it helps me when I’m on stage. I will have them with me at the final because I know it’ll mean I give a better performance."
Meanwhile, Michael – who won the inaugural series of BBC show ‘All Together Now’ last year – is eyeing up the honour of being the UK’s first ‘Eurovision’ winner in 22 years after Katrina And The Waves triumphed in 1997 with ‘Love Shine a Light’.
Dismissing the notion of "political" voting in the competition, the singer added: "People say we’ll never win again or that Brexit will mean we do badly.
"They think the scoring is all political. But I don’t think any of that is true. I think it’s all about the song."
This year’s final of the ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ will take place in Tel Aviv and air air live on Saturday (18.05.19) – with Graham Norton as commentator – at 8pm on BBC One.
Eurovision’s Michael Rice has lucky charms from nan to inspire him
