Singer Olly Alexander ‘knew' he would not win Eurovision in 2024
He said: 'Everyone said, 'you're going to bring it home, Olly', I knew I wouldn't.
'Now that I've had a bit of time away, I'm so proud I got to do it, but it was also very stressful, it can be very vulnerable and isolating.'
Alexander added: 'I've never had so much pressure put on a song. People are brutal anyway, but because we're in a competition, people are really going for you. I was like, 'God, I'm just trying to give people a fun time'.'
During the interview, Alexander went on to speak about how a media adviser told him not to 'come out' as gay during his 20s due to the impact it would have on his career.
He said: 'You'd never give that advice now, and it was terrible advice then. I knew it was never really going to be an option for me, but it did feel like a fork-in-the-road moment.'
But the former Years And Years singer said he had received much better advice from Dame Judi Dench, who he made his West End debut alongside in Peter And Alice.
Alexander said: 'The best thing Judi Dench taught me was that you can be a legendary star and still be the most chill diva ever.
'She's always down for a laugh, she loves a naughty joke.'
The singer released his debut solo album Polari in February this year, and has had a UK number one single with Years And Years in King, along with four other top 10 singles, while the pop band also had two number one albums.
Alexander has also embarked on an acting career that has seen him appear in Channel 4 drama It's A Sin, make a cameo appearance in EastEnders, and perform in a number of stage roles.
The full interview can be read in the September issue of Tatler, available by digital download and on newsstands from August 7.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Aston Merrygold rushed off Sunday Bruch set he explains reason for sudden absence
A Sunday Brunch guest decided to take an early exit from the show, with Tim Lovejoy issuing a three-word response Sunday Brunch faced a minor disruption when one of the celebrity guests made an early departure during the programme. The popular Channel 4 show returned to screens on Sunday (August 3) for another morning filled with cuisine, comedy and music. Presenters Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer welcomed their usual array of celebrity guests to the sofa. During the episode, the duo spoke with actor Manny Jacinto and Celebrity Big Brother personality Donna Preston. Strictly Come Dancing favourite Aston Merrygold - who was hospitalised last month - and vocalist Katy B also appeared, whilst Toby Lee delivered a musical set, reports the Express. Nevertheless, within moments of the show beginning, Tim announced that one guest would be departing prematurely. Tim explained that Aston Merrygold needed to leave early due to a matinee showing of the musical he's currently starring in: 101 Dalmatians. With Aston having performed the previous evening, Tim enquired: "Are you tired today or are you ok?". Aston responded: "I'm ok, I've woken up now I'm good." Tim mentioned: "You've got to go and do a matinee performance today." Aston confirmed: "Yes," to which Tim added: "So you're going to leave a little bit early." Aston then enquired: "If that's alright with you?". Delivering a three-word reply, Tim said: "That's absolutely fine." In the stage adaptation of 101 Dalmatians, Aston portrays Jasper, one of Cruella de Vil's accomplices. The musical also features BGT champion Sydnie Christmas as Cruella, and Jeff Brazier as Casper. Discussing his decision to join the show, Aston previously stated: "I'm very proud to be joining the cast of 101 Dalmatians and excited to be a part of this production in Hammersmith for the summer. The kids can't wait to see their dad back on stage!". Jeff Brazier also said: "I love taking on new challenges and I'm so excited to absorb all of the acting experience around me from the cast of 101 Dalmatians. I'll be working hard to learn my lines and looking forward to bringing smiles to lots of people's faces throughout our summer run at the Eventim Apollo.'
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Bonnie Blue's 'disturbing' documentary causes crisis after outrage from brands
Channel 4's controversial Bonnie Blue documentary has sparked outrage from major brands, resulting in adverts being pulled. Bonnie Blue: 1000 Men and Me documented the OnlyFans creator's bid to have sex with 1000 men in 12 hours, investigating whether it was 'empowering' or 'pandering'. The stunt saw her sleep with 1057 men, with the hour-long documentary quickly slammed as 'disgraceful' and 'disturbing' by viewers. Now, brands like Smirnoff, VISA and Cawston Press have removed their adverts both online and in the app during the programme. The Times reported that multiple brands requested this removal as they did not feel the documentary aligned with their values or advertising guidelines. 'Channel 4 is a commercially funded public service broadcaster,' they shared in a statement. 'We use commercial revenues such as advertising to make programmes that deliver our remit to create change through entertainment across a wide range of issues. Our programming is created independently from our commercial operation.' However, those advertisers have restrictions on what kind of content they can be associated with, especially regarding anything of a sexual nature. Addressing the Bonnie Blue documentary, a Channel 4 spokesperson told Metro: 'We take great care to ensure that advertising is appropriately placed across all programming, particularly where content may be sensitive or potentially contentious. 'In the case of 1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story, the programme was reviewed in advance of transmission to ensure advertising was suitable. Several brands and categories were excluded to avoid inappropriate juxtapositions.' The documentary — and Bonnie herself — have been the source of huge amounts of controversy due to the graphic nature of the content. One scene saw the controversial OnlyFans creator dressed in a school uniform in a classroom with other younger stars, preparing to film an orgy. Before the Channel 4 programme, OnlyFans banned the streaming of the feat and has since blocked her account entirely. Bonnie – real name Tia Ballinger – was one of the most successful OnlyFans creators, claiming to earn more than US$2 million (£1.5 million) per month. The ban on the video subscription site came into place after she advertised a 'petting zoo' event in which she planned to be 'put in a box for people to do what they want'. Channel 4 clearly anticipated the backlash with commissioning editor Tim Hancock defending airing the more shocking scenes ahead of its screening. 'I believe it is Channel 4's job to tell stories like this that are at the edge of modern morality,' he said. 'I commissioned this documentary because Bonnie is the tip of a huge iceberg. Since the pandemic, there has been a cultural shift in the acceptability of creating adult content and the types of people do it.' Her previous stunts include having sex with legal teenage boys at Freshers' Week, interactions which were filmed and involved some of them losing their virginity. More Trending Bonnie dismissed those who implied she was 'traumatised', insisting she 'come[s] from a beautiful family' and 'genuinely love my life, and I'm super grateful for it.' Concern about the documentary extended beyond the advertisers, as children's commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza said it risks damaging efforts to protect children from the impact of online porn. She said: 'For years we have been fighting to protect our children from the kind of degrading, violent sex that exists freely on their social media feeds. This documentary risks taking us a step back by glamorising, even normalising, the things young people tell me are frightening, confusing and damaging to their relationships.' View More » Bonnie Blue: 1000 Men and Me is streaming on Channel 4. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Everyone in the Celebrity SAS 2025 Cast as hit-show returns tonight MORE: 'One of the smartest shows on television': Your favourite TV spy thrillers MORE: Channel 4 comedy branded 'a gift' to be greatest comeback of 2025
Belfast Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Ballerina Anna sweeps Belfast off its feet
Lisburn dancer performs in world premiere of show she choreographed to brother's music Ballet dancer Anna McCoy took to the stage in Belfast this weekend in a performance she choreographed to original music composed by her brother Andrew. The 22-year-old, a body double in the Channel 4 series Alice & Jack, created the piece — called Zlaty Motylek, meaning 'Golden Butterfly in Czech — as part of the Belfast International Ballet Festival.
