Wild Youth have compared the scrapped the X Factor style elimination ahead of tonight’s Eurovision semi-final as “the Hunger Games”.
The band were among the acts used during rehearsals on Monday in Liverpool to see if the idea of a new type of elimination would work instead of the results being given while artists are in the green room surrounded by their delegation.
The move was scrapped last minute and they would revert to the previous format – and Wild Youth spoke of their relief.
“It was torture,” band member David Whelan said.
Lead singer Conor O’Donohoe added: “We had to do it yesterday as a run through… and I felt like I…was going to get sick.”
Drummer Callum McAdam compared it to The Hunger Games.
Marty Whelan commended them for acting swiftly.
“I think it was the right decision because I don’t like the idea of people standing on stage in front of thousands and millions being told you didn’t get through. It is one thing in a TV studio… for Eurovision it didn’t feel right.”
The band will take to the stage this evening in the first semi-final. They face stiff competition from acts such as Sweden, Finland and Israel.
They perform sixth with their song, We Are One.
Tonight, the show will feature a surprise cameo with Dustin the Turkey who represented Ireland in 2008.
Marty added: “I can’t wait to see Dustin. I haven’t seen him for many years, he has survived many Christmases.”
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