This year's Eurovision is less than two months away with British hopeful Sam Ryder looking for some surprising success.
The TikTok star is currently placed at 12/1 by the bookies for a shock triumph in Turin, where the contest is being hosted by last year's winner Italy.
Maneskin wowed the European audience with 'Zitta e buoni' last year, taking them to the top of the famous Eurovision leaderboard while the UK scored the dreaded 'nil points'.
Ryder is already known to plenty of fans in the UK, but around the world, due to his presence on social media.
So, he could be a little further up the leaderboard than what has become the norm for British acts in recent years.
So who is Sam Ryder?
Sam Ryder is a 32-year-old singer and TikTok star from Essex and is this year's Eurovision entry for the UK.
He will perform the song Space Man, worked on with songwriting partners Amy Wadge and Max Wolfgang. Wadge is reported to have worked with Sheeran on his Thinking Out Loud hit.
His videos currently have an incredible 98.3 million likes, which go out to roughly 12.1 million followers.
Sam began as a session guitarist and eventually, the talented musician rose to popularity for his videos during coronavirus lockdown. Now, he has signed for Parlophone and released his debut EP 2021.
Songs Whirlwind and Tiny Riot have been streamed over 100 million times world wide.
Of being chosen to represent the UK, Sam said: "I am so honoured to have been presented with the opportunity to sing at an event alongside some of Europe’s most talented creatives, performers and songwriters.
"I hope to sing my head off in a way the UK can be proud of, and to showcase a song I wrote with my friends last summer makes the whole experience even more special."
When is Eurovision 2022?
Brits can cheer on UK hopeful Sam Ryder on May 10, 2022, when the final of the contest is broadcast live from Turin, Italy.
Of course, Brits can't vote for their own man in the contest and Sam may find it tough to beat the current favourite, Urkaine's Kalush Orchestra.
Kalush will have to perform from a safe location in the country after the Russian invasion, but members of their band are currently helping the war effort, including one member being part of the country's territorial defence unit.
Lead singer Oleh Psiuk, who is part of a volunteer group giving medical supplies to refugees, said: "I cannot enjoy it while I am worried for my loved ones. The war separated me and my girlfriend. She is 300kms (186 miles)away from me. We cannot meet because it is very dangerous."
The semi finals will be broadcast on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 10 and Thursday 12 May at 8pm
The Grand Final will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer plus via BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on Saturday 14 May from 8pm.
