In the spotlight: James Newman

31 March 2020 at 10:10 CEST

In the spotlight: James Newman BMG/Victor Frankowski

With his song, 'My Last Breath', James Newman was chosen to represent the United Kingdom in 2020. In light of the unfortunate cancellation of the 65th Eurovision Song Contest, we wish to highlight the impressive acts that were set to appear. This is 'In the spotlight', our feature honouring the artists that would have made up this year's edition of the world's largest live music event.

For the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, UK public broadcaster BBC selected multi-platinum selling, BRIT award-winning and Grammy-nominated songwriter James Newman. His entry was My Last Breath, which he wrote himself alongside all-star team Adam Argyle, Ed Drewett and Iain James.

Who is James Newman?

James Newman is a multi-platinum selling, Brit Award-winning and Grammy-nominated songwriter. The artist won a Brit for co-writing the British Single of the Year 'Waiting All Night', performed by Rudimental and Ella Eyre. It was James’ first UK Number 1 single in 2013.

It wasn’t long before he was able to co-write another UK Number 1, this time for Calvin Harris and his younger brother John Newman called Blame. The song topped the charts in several countries including the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Mexico. James has worked with many famous artists over the years, including Ed Sheeran, Toni Braxton and Kesha.

James has always wanted to be an artist in his own right and is ready to launch his solo material. He has already been a featured vocalist on many successful songs; James' biggest hit came in 2018 when he collaborated with acclaimed Dutch DJ Armin Van Buuren on the hit song Therapy.

The United Kingdom's Eurovision 2020 representative James Newman BBC/Ray Burmiston

James recorded his Eurovision entry My Last Breath in Scotland while he was staying on a loch (lake) with fellow songwriters Ed Drewett, Iain James and Adam Argyle. He knew the song was ‘the one’ after first recording it; he loves the simplicity and feels like it gets you right away.

READ MORE: James' participant profile

You can follow James on the following social media platforms:

LISTEN: Stream or download My Last Breath via your favourite music service

The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest

The United Kingdom made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957. To date, the UK has won the Eurovision Song Contest five times. The UK has also finished second a record 15 times and also has the record for the longest-running string of Top 5 placings.

The UK has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest eight times in total, stepping in to stage the event when others were unable to do so. The UK last hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998 in Birmingham following Katrina and the Waves' victory with Love Shine A Light in 1997.

Last year, the United Kingdom was represented by Michael Rice in Tel Aviv, Israel, where he represented his country with the song Bigger Than Us.

READ MORE: The United Kingdom's country page