Olly Alexander on brink of a 'breakdown' over Eurovision 2024 backlash

Olly Alexander has been on the brink of a 'breakdown' over calls to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

The former Years and Years singer, 33, will be flying the flag for the UK in Malmo, Sweden on May 11, with his track Dizzy but leading up to the competition there has been intense pressure to quit over Israel's involvement during the ongoing attacks on Gaza.

Eden Golan will be representing Israel and was forced to change the lyrics of her song, originally named October Rain, in reference to the October 7 attack by Hamas. It's now titled Hurricane.

Olly was recently spotted looking glum leaving a Eurovision party and has now admitted he 'struggled that day'.

'I was holed up in a room trying not to have a breakdown,' he told The Times.

'Normally, you get on stage and turn it on, but I felt really unable to do that.

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'It was tough… I just could not get it together and then I felt ashamed of myself and embarrassed.'

The publication said Olly was in tears during the interview, stressing that he wished the war wasn't happening.

'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.'

Queers For Palestine, a group of more than 450 queer artist and creatives, wrote an open letter to the It's A Sin star, pleading with him to pull out of Eurovision in protest to Israel's participation.

In response, he said in a 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.'

As it stands, no act has withdrawn from the contest.

The European Broadcasting Union, condemned the abuse and harassment aimed at Eurovision entries, explaining the 'artists have no role in this decision' regarding Israel's involvement.

The Eurovision Song Contest grand final airs at 8pm on BBC One.

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