Former Chris Martin backing vocalist SuRie to represent UK at Eurovision

Singer and actress SuRie has been chosen to represent the UK at this year’s Eurovision song contest.

She beat competition from five other entrants in a combined public and expert jury vote after a live performance of her track, Storm, at the BBC’s Eurovision: You Decide 2018 televised event in Brighton.

She said she would celebrate with “a bottle of something bubbly and a straw”, before performing Storm for a second time.

“I can’t believe this is happening, it’s absolutely amazing,” she said.

“It’s such an honour to have the opportunity to represent a country I’m very, very proud of and that I know I can do good things in Lisbon for, so thank you to everyone who voted and supported me. This is amazing.”

SuRie, real name Susanna Cork, has previous with the singing competition after previously performing as a backing dancer for Belgian act Loic Nottet in 2015, and as musical director for another Belgian entrant, Blanche, in 2017.

She received the biggest cheer of the night from the live crowd in Brighton, who began chanting her name after she was named victor by presenter Mel Giedroyc.

“It’s the one thing that actually unites us. It’s about positivity, diversity and celebrating all the good things.”

Of her previous Eurovision experiences, she said: “My eyes were opened to the beauty of Eurovision a couple of years ago and I was working with the Belgians so false-flagging for a different country but I had an amazing time.

“To be involved from my country, I’m a proud Brit … I’d love to be a part of Eurovision in the UK.

“It’s the right time to get involved.”

Storm was penned by Nicole Blair, Gil Lewis and Sean Hargreaves, and will be performed by SuRie on the Eurovision stage in May.