ROUND TWO
Eurovision 2021 UK hopeful James Newman waves the Union Jack as he arrives to compete in Rotterdam
THE UKs Eurovision hopeful James Newman was spotted waving the Union Jack as he arrived in Rotterdam ahead of the show.
After Eurovision 2020 was cancelled, James looked thrilled to finally be taking part in the highly-anticipated competition.
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Ahead of the opening ceremony on Sunday, BRIT Award winner James waved the flag back and forth as he walked the turquoise carpet.
James, 35, will take to the stage in the Netherlands next week after more than a year of waiting, after the show was postponed due to the pandemic.
The singer dressed up for the occasion in a brown leather jacket, white T-shirt and black jeans as he smiled for the cameras.
James was accompanied by contestants from other countries and posed for a group photo with some of them while on the carpet.
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On Saturday, James took to the stage at Rotterdam's Ahoy arena to rehearse for the upcoming contest on May 22.
Surrounded by trumpeters dressed in suits, the star stood on a raised platform and gestured with his hands while he sang.
It was announced that James would represent the UK at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest after last year's show was cancelled.
All of the acts have been invited back to represent their country in the final, which is expected to have a limited crowd and social distancing measures.
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James will sing a brand new song for this year after he was unable to perform song My Last Breath last year.
"I'm so excited and honoured to be getting a second chance at representing my country in the Eurovision Song Contest," he said of this year's competition.
"I haven't stopped making new music in lockdown and I can't wait for everyone to hear the song I'm taking to Eurovision in 2021."
James won a BRIT Award in 2014 for Best British Single after co-writing Rudimental and Ella Eyre's hit Waiting All Night.
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Fans have high expectations for James, after Michael Rice, who represented the UK in 2019, finished in last place with just 11 points.
Luckily for the UK, as one of the Big Five countries - which also include Spain, Germany, France and Italy - James has automatically qualified for the Grand Final.
The remaining countries will have to battle it out in the semi-final round, apart from The Netherlands, the current champions, who also gained automatic entry.
The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will air on BBC One May 22.
Music video for UK Eurovision song contest entry 'My Last Breath' performed by James Newman