Sam Ryder is being touted as a favourite to represent the UK for a second time at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest after Olly Alexander’s disappointing result at this year’s competition.
Essex native Ryder, 34, came in second place in the 2022 edition with song Space Man, securing the UK its highest score in decades.
While some contestants have failed to find success outside of Eurovision, the former TikTok star's debut album went to number one last January and this year he was nominated for an Emmy for his track Lost & Found.
Alexander meanwhile was already an established artist as vocalist in former band Years & Years. He had also won plaudits after branching out into acting and his turn in the hard-hitting series Only Sin.
Despite having a fanbase, he suffered a humiliating defeat at Eurovision, coming away with the dreaded “nul points” from the public vote last Saturday and finishing 18th overall.
Now bookmakers are putting Ryder at 4/1 to represent the UK again next year, placing him second in the betting behind odds-on favourite Rebecca Ferguson (4/5), who performed in the 2023 semi-final as an interval act.
Lee Astley, spokesperson for betideas.com, said: “Olly Alexander’s dreaded ‘nul points’ score from the public vote on Saturday means it’s back to the drawing board for the United Kingdom and their Eurovision project, with our market suggesting they could turn to a familiar face to spearhead their 2025 bid in Switzerland.
“Sam Ryder, who redefined the UK’s presence in the competition with his runner-up finish in 2022, is the second favourite at 4/1 to be our representative in next year’s edition.
“Rebecca Ferguson leads the way at 4/5 to be awarded the role after performing in the 2023 semi-finals as an interval act, with Rina Sawayama (9/2) also in contention.
“Other acts in the running include Rina Sawayama 9/2, Yungblud 13/2, Molly Rainford 7/1, Pixie Lott 10/1, Sophie Ellis-Bextor 14/1 and BAR 16/1.”
Murder On The Dancefloor hit maker Ellis-Bextor previously ruled herself out, telling the Standard: “I just don’t think that’s me. I’ll always watch it, but I can’t really picture myself up there doing it.”
