Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway viewers were less than impressed when this year’s Eurovision entry, Olly Alexander, joined the Geordie duo to close out the show.
Alexander was unveiled as the UK’s entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden last year and earlier this month, he debuted the song he’d be performing for millions.
His track Dizzy has already been met with a divisive reception from many who are hoping to see the UK challenge for the Eurovision title.
And following his stint on Saturday Night Takeaway, which was billed as Alexander’s first-ever “live” performance of the track, some fans remain unconvinced.
In fact, several have been left fuming after claiming this year’s UK representative “mimed” during the performance.
A number of ITV viewers took to social media to express their disappointment and fury as they claimed Alexander had opted not to sing live.
One person penned on X, formerly Twitter: “For the first ‘live’ performance of the song, he’s doing a lot of miming. I want to like the song, but it still feels like it’s been written by ChatGPT based on the last 10 years of Eurovision songs. #SaturdayNightTakeaway #Eurovision.”
A second similarly hit out: “Doesn’t bode well when this years UK Eurovision entry is miming on live TV. @alexander_olly why??? #SaturdayNightTakeaway.”
“He’s not great at miming is he #SaturdayNightTakeaway,” a third fumed before another weighed in: “Not sure he’ll get away with miming at Eurovision… #saturdaynighttakeaway.”
And a fifth claimed: “That boy on #SaturdayNightTakeaway said this was his first live performance of this song. He lied. #miming.”
Olly Alexander has been accused of ‘badly miming’ his song, Dizzy
ITV
The claims kept on coming as a sixth disappointed viewer penned: “Really hoped we’d get to hear Olly sing ‘Dizzy’ live #SaturdayNightTakeaway #OllyAlexander #Eurovision.”
“He mimed. Badly,” added another but Alexander’s performance was unanimously met by backlash with some defending the singer.
One person argued: “Olly was amazing and such good fun! @alexander_olly @itvtakeaway #SaturdayNightTakeaway.”
While a second said: “Even with Ant and Dec running riot, Olly Alexander smashed his first TV performance of our 2024 #Eurovision song DIZZY.” (sic)
Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway: Olly Alexander performed
ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK
Alexander will join a whole host of other singers from across Europe when this year’s contest gets underway in May.
Sweden bagged the privilege of hosting the 2024 competition after its entry Loreen won last year with the song, Tattoo.
