Former Westlife star Nicky Byrne has revealed that he has already started rehearsing for his Eurovision performance which is to take place in May.
Byrne has been selected as Ireland’s representative in the competition for 2016 and his chances are looking good already thanks to a favourable draw.
Eurovision is an annual competition that sees countries across Europe enter a song and battle it out to win the public vote across the continent.
Byrne was drawn in the second semi-final which will take place in Stockholm on May 12. This could be seen as a stroke of luck as it means that he is competing in the same qualifier as Australia.
Australia has been a recent addition to the competition – despite being nowhere near Europe.
That won’t worry Byrne as he is likely to receive a sizable number of votes from the Irish diaspora down under.
However, the Dublin star is leaving nothing to chance and has started his rehearsals already – four months before the event.
The 35-year-old told the Irish Sun: “I have seen loads online about whether it’s a good or a bad draw for Ireland — maybe it’s our version of the Group of Death but the key for me is to put on the best three minutes of a performance on the Eurovision stage on May 12 in Stockholm.
“Myself and the band are rehearsing already to deliver that performance that will make Ireland proud and hopefully, get us into the final on the 14th.”
Byrne is 1/3 to make it to the final with Irish bookmakers Boylesports.
However, Eurovision expert Keith Mills told the Irish Sun: “Being on the first half doesn’t help.”