News | Entertainment
19 Feb 2026 6:44
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Sam Ryder says coming second in the 'Eurovision Song Contest' has made him realise he's born to be on the stage

    The 32-year-old singer - who hails from Essex, South East England - started out making covers on TikTok from his garden shed, but on Saturday (14.05.22), he took to the stage to represent the UK at the song contest in Turin, Italy, and was watched by nine million viewers as he performed 'Space Man'


    Sam, narrowly missed out on winning 'Eurovision', with Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra taking first place, but he's come away with the confidence he's on the right career path after being overwhelmed by the support from the 'Eurovision' community.

    Speaking on 'The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show' on BBC Radio 2, he said: "I felt so much, just encouragement and support and love from home. And not just home, but in the Eurovision community in general, because there's so much love, sitting in that arena is like being in a church, it is just incredible.

    "I can't explain it, and I can't even begin to do it justice, the feeling that you have when you're there.

    "But going on that stage, it just felt like, just trust in everything.

    "Trust in the years that you've been singing and enjoying singing and music and take it all in."

    Sam - whose famous fans include Justin Bieber, Jamie Lee Curtis and Alicia Keys - signed to Parlophone, an arm of Warner Music Group, and he's got plenty of new music and concerts lined up after his 'Eurovision' success.

    He said of his upcoming plans: "Absolutely, tons of festivals this year, tour dates just gone up around Europe, I'm sure there'll be more news for the UK very soon.

    "Single, as well, working on the mix of that now. There's tons of stuff..."

    Listen back to the full interview on BBC Sounds.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     19 Feb: Kim Kardashian is reportedly helping her 12-year-old daughter North West prepare to launch her own business empire
     18 Feb: Kerry Katona is thinking of moving to Dubai
     18 Feb: Barack Obama believes in aliens but did not discover any evidence of their existence during his time in the White House
     18 Feb: Nancy Cartwright doesn't think AI has enough "heart" to replace her on The Simpsons
     18 Feb: Rupert Grint found life as a new dad "isolating" and "traumatising"
     18 Feb: Wunmi Mosaku has "not been able to celebrate" her Oscar nomination
     18 Feb: The Simpsons will never have an official ending
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Leicester Fainga'anuku's been benched for Sunday's Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and Brumbies in Christchurch More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Spark is satisfied with its latest financial results, despite falling short of analyst expectations in some areas More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Kim Kardashian is reportedly helping her 12-year-old daughter North West prepare to launch her own business empire 6:27

    Law and Order:
    A Christchurch Catholic boys' school says it's committed to addressing concerns about historic sexual abuse by former staff appropriately 6:27

    Entertainment:
    Kerry Katona is thinking of moving to Dubai 21:57

    Accident and Emergency:
    Five fire crews are battling a house fire on Whangarei's on Morningside Road 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Barack Obama believes in aliens but did not discover any evidence of their existence during his time in the White House 21:27

    Business:
    Spark is satisfied with its latest financial results, despite falling short of analyst expectations in some areas 21:17

    International:
    Jesse Jackson helped lay the groundwork for Barack Obama and kept the fight for justice in the public eye 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Nancy Cartwright doesn't think AI has enough "heart" to replace her on The Simpsons 20:57

    Entertainment:
    Rupert Grint found life as a new dad "isolating" and "traumatising" 20:27

    Entertainment:
    Wunmi Mosaku has "not been able to celebrate" her Oscar nomination 19:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd