Lorraine Kelly was forced to halt her ITV show on Wednesday after receiving a breaking news announcement through her earpiece. The presenter was discussing spring dresses with fashion expert Mark Heyes when she suddenly interrupted the conversation, placing a hand to her ear. 'Mark, they've just said 'breaking news',' she said, before relaying the update to viewers.
The news concerned Boy George's rumoured bid to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest with an Italian singer. Initial speculation had suggested the singer might represent Italy or the United Kingdom, but Lorraine revealed the actual country: 'Boy George is not Italy... It's not us either, it's San Marino.' The microstate, landlocked within Italy and home to around 34,000 people, has competed in Eurovision 15 times but never won.
After the announcement, Lorraine appeared unimpressed, shrugging and saying 'He'll win.' Mark Heyes responded that he was 'glad' Boy George would not perform for the UK, adding 'we never win'. Lorraine agreed, calling the UK's track record 'a bit embarrassing'. The UK has been in every final due to financial contributions but last won in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves' 'Love Shine A Light'. Sam Ryder brought the nation a second-place finish in 2022, allowing the UK to host in 2023.
This year, YouTuber Look Mum No Computer will represent the UK at the contest in Vienna, Austria's third time hosting after JJ's win last year. However, five countries—Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands—have boycotted over Israel's inclusion amid the Gaza conflict, which the International Association of Genocide Scholars has called a genocide.
