ESC Bubble are sad to report that the singer Liam Reilly has died at the age of 65.

Liam was a member of the group Bagatelle, who formed in 1978 by drummer Walter McConville, along with bass player Ken Doyle and guitarist John O’Brien.

In 1980 while recording the band’s debut album, Reilly had received an offer from Elton John’s producer Gus Dudgeon to begin a solo career. Reilly refused this, however and insisted on sticking with the other members of the band. After leaving the group in the mid-1980s, Reilly moved to Savannah, Georgia and began a solo career. In this time he recorded an album called ‘Savannah Serenade’ which featured much of Reilly’s keyboards and vocals.

Liam was a finalist in the 1988 Irish National final of Eurovision with the song “Lifeline”, finishing second.

Reilly came back to the National Final in 1990, which he won. He then went onto represent Ireland at the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Somewhere in Europe”, placing second.

Reilly returned to Eurovision the following year as a composer, where his song “Could It Be That I’m in Love”, performed by Kim Jackson, placed tenth.

We’d love to know what your favourite song by Liam is. Our thoughts are with Liam’s family and friends at this sad time.