Eurovision Singer Sam Ryder Makes Triumphant Return To The UK After Success At The Contest

Singer-songwriter Sam Ryder has made a jubilant return to the UK after his huge success at Eurovision over the weekend.

Sam represented the UK at this year’s song contest in Turin with his self-penned song Space Man, which finished in second place on the night, also landing the most points of any at this year from the Eurovision juries.

With the contest now over for another year, the musician landed back in the UK on Sunday, where was given a triumphant reception.

After his second-place result, Sam was given a hero's welcome as he landed in the UK
After his second-place result, Sam was given a hero’s welcome as he landed in the UK

Dominic Lipinski via PA Wire/PA Images

He was photographed arriving at Heathrow Airport sporting a pink bucket hat, in recognition of this year’s Eurovision winners, the Ukrainian act Kalush Orchestra, whose song Stefania bagged a hefty 631 points to Sam’s 466 on Saturday night.

Sam was also snapped meeting fans as he was met with balloons, flags and fans asking him for selfies.

Sam posing for a selfie at Heathrow Airport
Sam posing for a selfie at Heathrow Airport

Dominic Lipinski via PA Wire/PA Images

Celebrating the result, Sam previously posted on Instagram: “Thank you all for blazing with love, positivity and kindness throughout this wild and euphoric experience. We completely felt your support and we so deeply appreciated it.

“Huge love to @kalush.official for bringing it home for glorious Ukraine!!! COULDN’T BE HAPPIER RIGHT NOW AND I CAN’T WAIT TO HUG MY GRANDAD!!”

In the lead-up to his performance in the final, Sam told HuffPost UK: “Wherever I come on the scoreboard. I’m flying home the next day and I’m going to have a curry with my mum, dad, grandad and nephew, and watch some telly. That’s going to happen no matter what.”

“If we can do well in that regard, and change a certain attitude and try and tear some of that self-perpetuating negativity down, even just a little bit, surely that is the biggest win?” he said. “That’s even more of a win than winning the contest.”

Well, Sam. To you we’d say: mission accomplished.

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Ukraine Wins Eurovision As UK Finishes In Second Place

Ukraine has won the Eurovision Song Contest with folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra’s song Stefania.

The act have been the frontrunners since Putin’s invasion earlier this year, with organisers also banning Russia from competing.

Ukraine joined the contest in 2003 and its three wins make it one of the most successful of the newer competitor countries, having also triumphed in 2004 and 2016.

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The United Kingdom had led the vote for most of Saturday night’s results after Sam Ryder’s performance of Space Man came out on top of the jury vote.

However, the public overwhelmingly backed Ukraine, finishing with 631 points on the leaderboard, with the UK landing in second place with 466 points.

It was the UK’s best performance in the Song Content in more than 20 years, and proved to be a remarkable reversal of fortunes following last year’s dreaded nul points.

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