According to various Irish news portals including independent.ie, Nicky Byrne has been selected to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, which is going to be held in Stockholm this coming May.
Nicky Byrne is a former member of the very popular Irish boy-band Westlife, who sold over 45 million records worldwide. Since 2002, Byrne has presented several tv and radio shows, and since last year he is also hosting the weekly National Lottery game show called “The Million Euro Challenge” on RTE. Byrne is also no stranger to Eurovision, as he was the Irish spokesperson in the past three years.
RTE hasn’t confirmed nor denied this news, but they made an official statement that news about the Irish Eurovision entry will be revealed by the end of the month. The last time RTE chose the act internally was back in 2007 when Dervish represented Ireland in Helsinki, and finished last in the Grand Final with a total of 5 points – all of which came from Albania where televoting failed and the votes of the back-up jury were being used. Ever since 2008 “Eurosong” was organized, which brough Ireland to the Grand Final four times – in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Molly Sterling represented Ireland last year in Vienna with her song “Playing With Numbers”, and finished 12th in her semi final with 35 points.
