Olly Alexander has come close to a “breakdown” amid fierce pressure on him to quit as this year’s UK Eurovision competitor.
The Years and Years singer, 33, is set to represent Britain at next week’s contest with his song ‘Dizzy, but there have been intense calls for him to pull out due to Israel’s involvement in the show, which has enraged fans due to the country’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza.
Olly told The Times about looking downcast at a recent Eurovision pre-party in London: “Yes, I struggled that day. I was holed up in a room trying not to have a breakdown.
“Normally, you get on stage and turn it on, but I felt really unable to do that.
“It was tough… I just could not get it together and then I felt ashamed of myself and embarrassed.”
Olly also reportedly began to cry during his chat with the newspaper as he added: “Obviously there are a lot of things I wish were different.
“And this is so much bigger than me and Eurovision, it really is.
“Obviously, I wish there wasn’t a war or this insane humanitarian crisis. I wish for peace and I have found this experience, at times, extremely… I’ve just felt really sad and distressed.
“But I still believe it’s a good thing when people come together for entertainment. That’s why I wanted to do Eurovision.”
A week before his Eurovision showcase, Olly responded to an open letter signed by Queers for Palestine, a collective of more than 450 queer artists, individuals and organisations asking him to quit Eurovision as part of a protest over Israel’s involvement.
Olly and his fellow Eurovision contestants have stated their performances would go ahead.
He said in his statement: “It is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages.
“We stand united against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and islamophobia.
“We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections. We feel it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.”