IT was in this very column that Delta Goodrem first revealed it was her dream to represent Australia at Eurovision.
Now, nine months later, she has been officially unveiled as the contest’s Aussie entry, with the Lost Without You singer firmly crediting Bizarre with making it happen.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
It was in this very column that Delta Goodrem first revealed it was her dream to represent Australia at EurovisionDelta has been officially unveiled as the contest’s Aussie entry, with the Lost Without You singer firmly crediting Bizarre with making it happenCredit: Supplied
Speaking to our Jack, Delta said: “This is, literally verbatim, all your fault. It is all on you — you and Bizarre started this.
“Your article went back to the Aussies who were like, ‘Do you want to do this?’ So thank you. I have a big job to do.”
Delta will head to Vienna this May to compete with her song Eclipse and it ticks every box, with an infectiously camp chorus and a complex piano bridge.
A beaming Delta explained: “From your article, people started reaching out.
“Then one of the songwriters, Jonas Myrin, who I wrote the song with, took a screengrab of the article and sent it to me saying, ‘Delta, if you ever go to Eurovision, I want to write the song with you’.
“He’s in Sweden. Sure enough he flew to Australia when I said I was doing it. Even the first question I got asked when doing my first Australian interview was, ‘We heard it all started from an article from the UK,’ and yes, it did.”
It’s been three years since Australia last qualified for the live final, which adds to the pressure on Delta, who has sold eight million records worldwide.
“Of course I am nervous, but it’s so joyous and I am so excited to be a part of it,” she said.
“I can’t control what will happen. All I know is that I am honoured to represent Aus.
“I will fly the flag and give my heart and soul.
“Two of my greatest idols, who are part of the reason I am in music, Olivia Newton-John and Celine Dion, did Eurovision.
“I am grateful to be able to step into that.
“What an honour it is to be able to perform anywhere, let alone on the biggest stage in the world. I am excited.”
We Brits can’t vote for our own act, Look Mum No Computer (aka Sam Battle), whose entry Eins Zwei Drei is out on Friday, so Delta is hoping the British jury will give her our 12 points.
Explaining how it all fell into place, she said: “I had always said, ‘Oh, you know, when the time is right’. I always have an open heart to new things and being a coach on The Voice I celebrate all types of music. Then it all came into focus.”
Sam Battle, whose entry Eins Zwei Drei is out on FridayCredit: BBC/PADelta said: ‘Two of my greatest idols, who are part of the reason I am in music, Olivia Newton-John and Celine Dion, did Eurovision’Credit: Getty
Speaking about what people should expect when she competes at the second semi-final on May 14, Delta explained: “The staging is important, but you will have to wait and see.
“There is a high bar out there but I am enjoying the creativity of it. I love the out-of-the-box moments, but I also love past winners Loreen, Alexander Rybak and Mans Zelmerlow.”
This year’s competition has already been rocked by controversy with Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain all pulling out due to Israel being allowed to take part in the contest, amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
But Delta is keen to use the platform to help bring people together and celebrate our common ground.
She said: “I am in music for unity and the healing spirit,” adding that she loves the sense of “togetherness” generated by music and song.
Delta added: “Eurovision has been going for 70 years and there is a reason everyone comes back, united in song.
“I am really looking forward to being united together. At my shows, that is what you want, too.
“My song is about one love and connection.”
You’ve got our votes, Delta.
DECEMBER 10 are playing a free O2 Presents . . . gig at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on April 8.
There will be 767 pairs of tickets available to O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers via a ballot, which will be open from March 9- 23 on the Priority app.
COMPASS TO GO THE COLE MILE
I TIPPED big things for Belfast pair Broken Compass after they released their debut single Storm in October.
Now the duo, Ben Dadidson and Allen Gordon have landed roles in Anything Goes at Belfast’s Grand Opera House.
Belfast pair Broken Compass Ben Dadidson and Allen GordonCredit: Supplied
Running from April 14-18, the show features songs from Cole Porter including I Get A Kick Out Of You.
While Allen has graced the stage at the venue before, it will be the first time for Ben, who previously toured with Westlife in boyband Most Wanted.
Ben told Bizarre: “This has been such a whirlwind, moving to Belfast and joining St Agnes Choral Society.
“Opening myself up to theatre as well as pop has been a dream come true.”
OASIS will feature on the new Help(2) War Child album with a standalone 7in single of Acquiesce, recorded live at Wembley last September, being included in the vinyl edition.
It will be a hidden track on the double CD version, and on streaming, when the charity record is out on Friday.
Arctic Monkeys, Olivia Rodrigo, Damon Albarn and Pulp will also feature.
RAYE SETS LIFE BOAT AFLOAT
RAYE will return to dance music on her upcoming album with a belting electro track called Life Boat.
The singer debuted the song at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday night and it features emotional lyrics against a euphoric chorus.
Raye will return to dance music on her upcoming album with a belting electro track called Life BoatCredit: Getty
In the verse, she sang: “Cry yourself an ocean, trying not to drown in it. Lord send me a lifeboat, something I can cling to.”
Then in the chorus she repeated: “I’m not giving up yet.”
Earlier in her career Raye had a string of dance hits including Bed, Prada, You Don’t Know Me and Secrets, so she knows a thing or two about releasing a banger.
And with her album, This Music May Contain Hope, out on March 27, there isn’t long to wait.
OH BUCKET! AL’S FOR HIGH JUMP
IF you thought it was funny watching Alan Carr take part in the challenges on Celebrity Traitors, his next show will see him jumping out of a plane.
He is shooting a travelogue called The F**k It List for Prime Video, which will see him and other comics taking on bucket list experiences, but it sounds like he’s drawn the short straw.
Alan Carr is shooting a travelogue called The F**k It List for Prime VideoCredit: Getty
Alan said: “I was sold this show about a bucket list. I thought I would be on the Orient Express and swimming with dolphins.”
Instead, he admitted on his Bottoms Up podcast: “I’m skydiving, bungee jumping and stroking a tarantula. I hate spiders.”
Thera’s so much promise
SHE’S the vocal powerhouse from Prague who, aged just 18, is already turning heads across Europe.
And as rising star Thera wraps up supporting Jason Derulo on his The Last Dance world tour, she opened up backstage about juggling school with breaking into the industry.
Thera opened up backstage about juggling school with breaking into the industry
The Czech singer, who first toured with Loreen, said: “I’ve gone through a lot that made me mature faster, which is why people are shocked I’m 18. “It doesn’t feel strange to me. Those experiences shaped who I am today and how I handle things and what I do.
“School has really helped me, even though it’s very stressful and chaotic at times.
“It’s almost forced me to be organised and have a system, which I feel has helped me in the music world.”
On tour it was the Les Twins, who also went on the road with Jason, who acted as her “big brothers”.
She added: “They’re role models, but also feel like family.”
Her biggest night yet was Prague’s O2 Arena on Sunday, where her whole family watched alongside 20,000 fans.
A NEIGHBOURS legend’s dream of representing Australia at Eurovision has comes true as she’s announced as the 2026 entrant.
The star has had a hugely successful recording career since leaving the iconic Aussie soap.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Delta Goodrem has been revealed as Australia’s entry for Eurovision 2026Credit: GettyDelta rose to fame as Nina Tucker on NeighboursCredit: RexDelta previously spoke about her dream of representing her country at the annual music competitionCredit: Getty
But Delta Goodrem still had one major career goal on her list; to represent her country at Eurovision.
On Sunday, Australian network SBS announced that Delta, 41, would be the act performing in Vienna, Austria.
Delta will take to the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle this May with her new single Eclipse.
Delta said: “I’m sohonouredto represent Australia on one of the biggest and most iconic music stages in the world at Eurovision!
“As a singer-songwriter, music has been my lifelong passion. I’ve always loved the creativity, individuality, and joy Eurovision brings, connecting and uniting people across the globe through music; the universal language.
“I can’t wait to arrive in Vienna and make Australia proud.”
She said: “Of course I would do Eurovision. I love it!”
Delta said she was thrilled when Australia was allowed into the contest in 2015, adding: “I’m obsessed. I flew into London and watched some of the semi-finals.
“I loved Scott Mills and Rylan’s commentary. I love the creativity of it all. You discover some amazing talents.”
Delta released her single Eclipse on Sunday, which she also wrote alongside Ferras Alqaisi, Jonas Myrin and Michael Fatkin.
Delta starred in Neighbours as Nina Tucker from 2002 to 2005 before making cameo appearances in 2015 and 2022.
She signed her first record deal at the age of 15 and released her debut album, Innocent Eyes, in 2003.
Delta also acted as a coach on The Voice Australia for eight seasons from 2012 to 2020.
Lorraine Kelly stopped her ITV daytime TV show to deliver some breaking news about this year’s Eurovision Song Contest
Lorraine Kelly abruptly halts ITV show with ‘breaking news’ announcement(Image: ITV)
The ITV show Lorraine was abruptly interrupted by its host, as Lorraine Kelly delivered a “breaking news” announcement. She interrupted her conversation abut spring dresses with Mark Heyes as she received breaking news through her ear piece.
While they spoke, the host’s hand flew to her ear. “Mark, they’ve just said ‘breaking news’,” she said. She spoke quickly to the person talking to her to say that she had stopped the show and then revealed the news to the audience.
“Boy George is not Italy,” Lorraine said. Earlier in the day, it had been revealed that Boy George was make a surprise bid with an Italian singer to compete for a European nation in the Eurovision Song Contest, but the country he was hoping to compete for was not known, until Lorraine’s announcement. “It’s not us either, it’s San Marino.”
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source.Click here to activateor add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
San Marino is a small nation in Europe that is landlocked by Italy. It is situated on Mount Titano and is one of the world’s oldest republics. As of 2024, it’s population was said to be only around 34,000. The nation has competed in Eurovision 15 times, debuting in 2008 and making its first appearance in the final in 2014. The nation has never won.
After revealing the news, Lorraine seemed nonplussed by it. Shrugging, she said to the camera: “He’ll win.” Mark then added that he was “glad” that Boy George would not be performing for the UK, as “we never win”. Lorraine added: “Yeah its a bit embarrassing.”
The UK is always in the final of the contest, as we are one of a few nations whose financial contribution guarantees them a place. However, the last time we won was over 20 years ago, in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves’ Love Shine A Light.
Ordinarily, the UK finish near the bottom of the leaderboard but in 2022, Sam Ryder’s Space Man got the UK to second place, finishing behind Ukraine. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the nation was unable to host the following year’s contest. As such, the UK was able to host for the first time since 1998.
This year, Youtuber Look Mum No Computer will compete for the UK at the contest in Vienna. This is the third time the city will host Eurovision and comes after Austria’s JJ won the competition last year.
There are several countries that will not compete this year. Five have decided to boycott the competition over the continued allowance of Israel to take part. These countries are Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands, all of whom have said that they do not think it is appropriate to take part if Israel are.
Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a source of tension due to the war in Gaza. The war has resulted in the deaths of at least 50,000 children and is widely considered a genocide of the Palestinian people, including by the International Association of Genocide Scholars.
