Olly Alexander's mum: 'Eurovision excitement building'

Olly Alexander's mum says being chosen to sing at the Eurovision Song Contest is an "amazing opportunity" and "something he's always wanted to do".

The pop star, actor and LGBT+ activist is set to represent the UK in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in May.

Originally from the Forest of Dean, he will perform his brand new single Dizzy at the competition in Malmö, Sweden.

The Years & Years singer announced the news on the grand final of Strictly Come Dancing in December.

"Each time he does something I think 'how are you going to top that one?' But he just seems to keep going, it's incredible," said his mum Vicki Thornton.

"I can't get my head round it, so I don't try."

The singer is a seasoned performer with a large fanbase, having scored five UK top 10 singles and two number one albums over the past decade with Years and Years.

He was also recently awarded the BRIT Billion Award withfor 6.5 billion streams globally, and his performance in the hit Channel 4 series It's A Sin, earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Lead Actor.

Mr Alexander says his new song is about feeling "such an intense swell of emotion" for someone that they "totally turn your world upside down".

The song was written by Mr Alexander alongside electronic music producer, Danny L Harle, to create "something you can dance to".

As he embarks on the first release under his own name, Olly Alexander is preparing for a performance his mum says he has eagerly watched since he was a young child.

"We've always loved the Eurovision," Ms Thornton continued.

"Even going way back to when Olly was little, we used to pick out our favourites and dance around the room.

"He would sing everywhere, all over the place, much to his brother's annoyance," she added.

Ms Thornton said the local community in their small town of Coleford has been "gearing up" for the performance.

"Everywhere I go now, people can't stop themselves coming up to me and saying 'oh my god, how proud you must be!'

"The news is out everywhere and posters are going up. The excitement is climbing!"

Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]