We are very sad to report that Nicole Josy of the Belgian duo Nicole & Hugo has passed away at the age of 76, after struggling with health problems for several years. The duo has been a couple since 1970 and just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
In 1971, Nicole & Hugo won the Belgian national final with the song “Goeiemorgen, morgen”. They had both fallen in love the year before and convinced the audience with their on-stage charisma and their unusual choreography. Before the final in Dublin, Nicole suffered from jaundice and the duo was therefore forced to withdraw, so the broadcaster decided to let Lily Castel and Jacques Raymond perform the same song, replacing Nicole & Hugo. This is the only time that a competing song was performed by a different artist in the final, than the one who appeared in the preview video.
Two years later, in 1973, when it was the Flemish broadcaster’s turn to select the Belgian entry again, Nicole & Hugo entered the national final once more, and this time nothing could stop them. “Baby Baby” became Belgium’s song for the Eurovision Song Contest 1973 in Luxembourg, and Nicole and Hugo finally made it to the Eurovision stage.
Despite finishing in last place, Nicole & Hugo became one of the best remembered Eurovision acts from the 1970s and were very popular for their sparkling outfits and fancy dance moves. The duo remained well known in Belgium and was musically active until 2015.
We are devastated to see another Eurovision legend leave us, and express our deepest condolences to Nicole’s friends and family!
