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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Who is UK Eurovision song contest entry Michael Rice?

Former X Factor contestant and winner of BBC's All Together Now Michael Rice is flying the flag for Great Britain at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

The 21-year-old fought off competition from five other acts to win the chance to represent the UK at the contest, which this year takes place in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Rice took part in Eurovision: You Decide earlier this year which he won with the song Bigger Than Us which was actually co-written by Sweden's pick for the contest, John Lundvik.

This is the song that he will be performing in Israel.

The 64th Eurovision Song Contest takes place on Saturday, May 19 and those who want to watch the contest unfold can catch all the action on BBC1 from 8pm until 11:40pm with the help of commentator Graham Norton.

Michael is no stranger to talent shows (Guy Levy/BBC/BBC/PA Wire)

The singer is no stranger to TV talent shows having auditioned for ITV singing competition The X Factor at just 16-years-old.

He impressed the judges with his rendition of Whitney Houston's 'I Look to You' but only made it as far as the bootcamp stage.

Rice then later appeared in All Together Now and swept to victory in 2018 winning £50,000.

In the run up to the big day, Rice, from Hartlepool in County Durham, has paid a special tribute to his mum for helping him live his dream.

Speaking to the Press Association, he said that Stephanie had "focused on me and made sure I got my dream - the dream I am living now".

He is currently only 50-1 to guide the UK to what would be a surprise win but stranger things have happened.

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