News | Entertainment
22 Feb 2026 22:21
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
     22 Feb: James Van Der Beek was a "great leader on set", according to Algee Smith
     22 Feb: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been "released under investigation"
     22 Feb: Khloe Kardashian would "want to be married" before having any more kids
     22 Feb: Timothee Chalamet thinks AI is set to change the movie business
     22 Feb: Hailey Bieber has found fame to be "mentally exhausting"
     22 Feb: Andrew Windsor has been slammed as "never a prince" by Virginia Giuffre's family
     22 Feb: Paddington Bear is set to bring a marmalade-tinted flourish to this weekend's EE BAFTA Film Awards after being confirmed as a presenter at the ceremony
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Crusaders have been demolished by the Brumbies 50-24 in Christchurch to close out the second week of Super Rugby More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Fifteen years on from the devastating Christchurch earthquake, belief light may finally be at the end of the tunnel More...



     Today's News

    Auckland:
    Citybound lanes on Auckland's North-Western motorway have now reopened following a two-vehicle crash 22:07

    Entertainment:
    James Van Der Beek was a "great leader on set", according to Algee Smith 21:47

    Motoring:
    There are serious injuries after a crash between a car and cyclist in Christchurch's Sumner 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been "released under investigation" 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Khloe Kardashian would "want to be married" before having any more kids 20:47

    Entertainment:
    Timothee Chalamet thinks AI is set to change the movie business 20:17

    Entertainment:
    Hailey Bieber has found fame to be "mentally exhausting" 19:47

    International:
    Why has Donald Trump issued Keir Starmer a warning about the Chagos Islands? 19:37

    Entertainment:
    Andrew Windsor has been slammed as "never a prince" by Virginia Giuffre's family 19:17

    Law and Order:
    Police are asking for public help to find John Joseph Paparoa, who is wanted in relation to dishonesty, assault and firearm-related offending 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd