News | Entertainment
20 Feb 2026 20:08
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
     20 Feb: Baz Luhrmann is bringing Elvis Presley's story to theatres in a new stage show
     20 Feb: Tyra Banks refused to speak to Jay Manuel when he returned to America's Next Top Model
     20 Feb: Taylor Swift has thrown her support behind Team USA's figure skaters as they prepare to take to the ice at the Winter Olympics
     20 Feb: Olivia Colman thinks "people are too nervous" about gender and sexuality
     20 Feb: Rev. Jesse Jackson has died "peacefully surrounded by his family"
     20 Feb: Lily Collins wants to celebrate "individuality" after joining Zalando as its first global brand ambassador
     20 Feb: Donald Trump has threatened Nancy Guthrie's kidnappers with the death penalty if she isn't returned alive
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    High hopes for one of the Hurricanes' newest recruits More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Hopes are lifting among Auckland businesses for the economic recovery More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Baz Luhrmann is bringing Elvis Presley's story to theatres in a new stage show 19:47

    Entertainment:
    Tyra Banks refused to speak to Jay Manuel when he returned to America's Next Top Model 19:17

    Rugby League:
    New Zealand Warriors coach Andrew Webster is embracing the team's unfortunate injury-run, as they finish their NRL pre-season against the Dolphins in Sydney tonight 18:57

    International:
    Timeline of key moments leading to former prince Andrew's arrest 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Taylor Swift has thrown her support behind Team USA's figure skaters as they prepare to take to the ice at the Winter Olympics 18:47

    Environment:
    High hopes for one of the Hurricanes' newest recruits 18:37

    Accident and Emergency:
    Not just sport and car crashes: debunking 5 myths about traumatic brain injury in NZ 18:17

    Law and Order:
    How Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 10 hours in police custody unfolded 18:17

    Entertainment:
    Olivia Colman thinks "people are too nervous" about gender and sexuality 18:17

    Law and Order:
    Police say they have disrupted a crime syndicate using the dark web to import and distribute drugs throughout the country 18:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd