Freya Skye performed for the United Kingdom at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday night, going onto finish fifth, after being forced to miss Saturday's jury show and second dress rehearsal.
There had been a lot of buzz surrounding Freya going into the final in Armenia, after she was confirmed as the UK's 2022 act a few months ago, before giving her first live performance of her track Lose My Head on this year's Children in Need. Sadly for Freya, after she and her team headed overseas for Eurovision, she was struck down with illness, which was later revealed to be an inflamed throat, which could have potentially ruined her chances of performing at all.
The 13-year-old got through the first rehearsal but was forced to pull out of the second one on Saturday, which was also when the juries from across Europe cast their votes. In order for Freya to still be judged, a performance of her first rehearsal was screened in her absence, Her withdrawal was confirmed by the European Broadcasting Union, in a statement which read: "For medical reasons UK artist Freya Skye will not perform in the 2nd Dress Rehearsal of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday 10 December. A recording of her performance from the 1st Dress Rehearsal held earlier in the day will be used instead."
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It added: "The health and well-being of all participants is always our top priority. All the Junior Eurovision family send her their best wishes and are looking forward to Freya returning to sing in the live show on Sunday 11 December.”
Thankfully for Freya, she was well enough to perform in Sunday's live final, although BBC Junior Eurovision commentator Lauren Layfield revealed that her four dancers had hastily learned backing vocals to support her. Freya performed in 12th position in the contest and attracted a lot of attention on social media, with many viewers, including Eurovision super fan Rylan Clark, heaping praise on her.
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