Michael Rice to fly the UK flag in Tel Aviv with 'Bigger Than Us'

Broadcaster BBC chose three songs, each song was performed in two different versions by two different artists:

• Sweet Lies (written by Maria Broberg, Lise Cabble and Esben Svane) performed by Kerrie-Anne and Anisa;
• Freaks (written by Jon Maguire, Rick Parkhouse, Corey Sanders and George Tizzard) performed by Jordan Clarke and MAID;
• Bigger Than Us (written by Laurell Barker, Anna-Klara Folin, John Lundvik and Jonas Thander) performed by Holly Tandy and Michael Rice.

A judging panel consisting of Eurovision super-fan and presenter Rylan Clark-Neal, popstar and BBC Radio 1 DJ Mollie King and DJ, popstar and presenter Marvin Humes shortlisted three entries to proceed to a super-final.

The jury unanimously chose Kerrie-Anne's performance of Sweet Lies (LISTEN) over the version sung by Anisa. Jordan Clarke won two out of three votes for his version of Freaks (LISTEN) at the expense of girl group MAID. Michael Rice unanimously went through to the final with his version of Bigger Than Us (LISTEN), sending Holly Tandy home.

How Måns lost his trousers

During Eurovision: You Decide Netta performed her 2018 winning song Toy in shiny silver and last year's UK representative SuRie performed a stunning ballad version of her 2018 Eurovision entry Storm. 

While the votes were counted, co-host and Eurovision 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw also performed a compilation of former UK Eurovision Song Contest hits. Bucks Fizz came by to help him out of his trousers and Katrina Leskanich came by to sing the UK's last winning song Love Shine A Light.

And the winner is...

The British public, via telephone and online vote, eventually got to decide who would succeed SuRie as the country's next Eurovision pride. They chose Michael Rice and his version of Bigger Than Us to represent the country in the Grand Final of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, 18th of May in Tel Aviv.

Rice was already the hot favourite with the bookmakers to win the ticket to Tel Aviv.

In his jury comment, Rylan Clark-Neal praised Michael, saying "this is what a winning Eurovision performance sounds like!"

About Michael Rice

Michael, who has always watched Eurovision while growing up, came to the attention of the public after a YouTube video of him singing amassed over a quarter of a million views. That video led him to audition for, and eventually win the BBC One Entertainment show All Together Now. He gave his mum the majority of the £50,000 prize fund to invest in her waffle and crepe business. Michael’s performance in the final prompted 94 out of the 100 judges to take to their feet, including Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.

Michael is an enthusiastic advocate for anti-bullying, he recorded a single in support of the movement. He has visited many schools throughout the UK to speak on the subject, especially because he was bullied himself for... singing.

What do you think of the UK's choice for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest? Let us know in the comments!