SWEDE dreams

OLLY ALEXANDER on flying the flag for the UK in Malmö

-  STEVEN PERKINS

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

LIVE SATURDAY, 8PM, BBC1 ENTERTAINMENT

Olly Alexander is no stranger to reaching the dizzy heights of showbiz success, having topped the charts with his pop band Years & Years as well as receiving a BAFTA nomination for his performance as Ritchie Tozer in acclaimed C4 drama It's a Sin. But this Saturday, the Harrogate-born actor and singer is set to face his biggest challenge to date: Can he win the Eurovision Song Contest for the United Kingdom? The 68th edition of the competition is being held in the coastal city of Malmö, after Sweden achieved its seventh victory last year in Liverpool with power ballad Tattoo, performed by Loreen.

Part of BBC1's much-anticipated 'Who-rovision Night' alongside Doctor Who (see page 6), the musical extravaganza will see 26 countries competing for glory. The finalists include 10 qualifying acts from each of the semi-finals (which will take place on Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 May), plus members of the 'Big Five' - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - and defending champions Sweden.

Representing his country at Eurovision has been a lifelong dream for Olly, 33, who, here, reveals how he's hoping to impress voters...