TQS Staff
This week in pop culture: George Clooney discusses speculation about his sexuality, Engelbert Humperdinck is confirmed as this year’s Eurovision entry for Great Britain and The Muppets are in talks to make a small screen comeback on BBC One.
75-year-old crooner Engelbert Humperdinck is set to represent Great Britain in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Humperdinck, real name Arnold Dorsey, will sing at the contest to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan on 26 May. The Release Me singer told the BBC:
“When the BBC approached me, it just felt right for me to be a part of an institution like Eurovision. I’m excited and raring to go and want the nation to get behind me!”
Best known for his 1967 hits Release Me (below) and The Last Waltz, Humperdinck will be competing against another entry from Ireland’s Jedward as well as various acts from across the continent.
Oh Engelbert. No matter how many of us ‘get behind’ him, there is just no hope. If there is anyone that still believes Eurovision is won on merit then I imagine they also believe in the Tooth Fairy and Father Christmas. I think it’s lovely that the old crooner still holds a special place in our hearts. I’m not going to lie to you, I do have The Last Waltz on my Ipod and it receives significant airplay every now and again. As such, I think we should just take this opportunity to enjoy Engelbert for the cheesy institution of nostalgia that he is, as opposed to kidding ourselves and thinking that Europe are going to take a day off from hating us. So, whether it’s nil points or the last waltz, let’s stick two fingers up at the ruins of a never-great competition and just reignite the love for ‘the Hump’.
Jamie Fisher
