PRESENTER Patrick Kielty defended the RTE decision to continue to select their Eurovision entry on the Late Late show rather than in a stand alone competition.
Six acts will compete in tonight’s Eurosong special with the winning act representing Ireland in Basel Switzerland next May.
Last year’s finalist Erica-Cody blasted “disappointing” audio issues in the studio while former contest winner Charlie McGettigan claimed it was “difficult to pass judgement on a Eurovision entry in such a small performance space”.
But host Patrick, who is hosting his second Eurosong this year, said the success of Bambie Thug in 2024, proved the Late Late was the best starting point for Irish entries.
Patrick told The Irish Sun: Last year we (Ireland) got someone to the final. It was Ireland’s best performance in years so I think the Late Late is the perfect platform for Eurovision. As for it lacking a live crowd, just wait until you see the crowd we have coming in here tomorrow night.”
But the dad-of two will have more to deal with than a raucous crowd.
The Eurosong special will also feature Irish Eurovision winner Linda Martin – who famously clashed with Aslan’s Billy McGuiness in 2014, running down to confront him in the audience.
Linda will sing Sweden’s 2022 winning song by Loreen Tattoo with fellow Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh.
Commenting on the infamous Linda row, Patrick said: “Well It’s a party, that’s what you want.
“We are very good at giving opinions and I will take it on the chin.”
Pundits are tipping Dublin singer Bobbi Arlo to win with strong competition from Samantha Mumba signing her self-penned track My Way.
Singer Bobbi is very much in the mold of last year’s entry Bambie Thug, who is expected to be an outspoken judge on the panel tonight.
And they will be helping to decide the entry along with former Eurosong finalist Donal Skehan, 2FM’s Laura Fox, and Dancing With The Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian.
Singer Bobbi denied she was repeating the Bambie formula of “heavy make up and jewellery”.
She said: “Bambie is the coolest person in the world but we are very different people and our songs don’t sound alike.”
Bobbi vowed she would be a “peacemaker” if she represented Ireland at Eurovision after Bambie Thug was involved in backstage rows last year connected with Israel’s participation in the contest.
NEW MEASURES
However, RTE’s Head of Delegation, Michael Kealy, revealed how Eurovision bosses have brought in rules to prevent clashes backstage after Dutch singer Joost Klein was disqualified during the 2024 final.
Michael told The Irish Sun: “Eurovision have brought in measures to minimise (rows) as much as possible.
“They have looked at the back stage set up, and brought in a new code of conduct. Not just for artists but for everybody.
“There are different zones with no filming allowed. Before it was a free for all, anybody could record anything.”
HOSTING HOPES
The other four acts competing tonight are Galway singer Reylta, belting out Fire, Donegal singer Adgy performing Run Into The Night, Norwegian singer Emmy playing Laika Party and Limerick artist NIYL performing Growth.
Asked if Ireland won, would he like to host Eurovision, Patrick said: “If that happened RTE would end up doing a Eurosong host competition there would be a public vote, and the answer would be no.”
The Late Late Eurosong special airs at 9:35pm on RTE One.
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