Spurs fan Freya to represent UK at Junior Eurovision on Sunday
Wed 07 December 2022, 11:15|
Tottenham Hotspur
As Harry Kane continues to do us proud at the World Cup, another 'one of our own' is set to take the stage at one of the biggest singing competitions in the world.
Spurs fan Freya Skye, 13, will represent the United Kingdom at Junior Eurovision - the junior version of the Eurovision Song Contest - in Yerevan, Armenia, on Sunday.
Based in Buckinghamshire with parents Mike and Sarah, Freya developed a love of singing after receiving a karaoke machine at the age of five. Now she’s set to perform her song Lose My Head in front of an estimated TV audience of 50 million across Europe - the show will be broadcast live on BBC1/CBBC at 3pm.
As her father Mike explained, Freya is following in family footsteps when it comes to Spurs. “Everyone in Sarah’s family is a Spurs fan,” he said. “Sarah’s dad grew up in Tottenham, her brothers are all massive fans, Freya’s a massive fan, Sarah is as well... I’m a Villa fan, but I am from Birmingham!
“Freya is a regular at the matches. The last game we went to was Newcastle in October. She’s a proper fan, born into Spurs. Her grandad wouldn’t let her support any other team! She’s Spurs through and through, and throughout this process, she’s proudly told everyone!”
Freya was one of over 50 children aged 9-14 that went through the audition process and was selected to represent the UK by CBBC and BBC Studios Entertainment and Music.
“I couldn’t believe it when I found out,” she said. “I was not expecting it at all, it still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be representing the UK. I feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity to be a part of something so exciting. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I’m going to go and give it my everything and I hope to do the UK proud.”
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, said: “Freya is an amazing talent and she immediately stood out. Her voice is incredible so we knew she would be able to showcase such a big song. She’s also a very special, self-effacing young lady who will be a great ambassador for the UK.”
Mike told us Freya’s life has been ‘pretty crazy’ since she was told of her selection in early November. Even that was a surprise... Mike and Sarah told Freya she needed to go to the Apollo Theatre in London for a final audition, instead, Lucie Jones, who represented the UK at the 2017 Eurovision, and is appearing in the production of Wicked at the Apollo as Elphaba, broke the news that she was on her way to Armenia!
Mike added: “That was a beautiful moment. Look, it’s been an incredible journey so far. We’ve been on BBC Breakfast, Morning Live, performed on Strictly Come Dancing It Takes Two and then a big one, Freya performed live on Children in Need, where the line-up was Mimi Webb, then Freya, then Diversity and Lewis Capaldi!”
Speaking to us before flying out, Freya, ‘dressed in my pink Spurs dressing gown’, told us: “I’m really, really excited, I might get a bit nervous when I’m out there, but I know it will be an amazing experience and I’ll give it everything.”
It’s the first time the UK have participated in Junior Eurovision for 16 years, and the family were keen to inform fans that they can vote for your own country in this competition. “That’s where we’re hoping all Spurs fans will vote for Freya!” said Mike.
How it works
Voting is in two windows - the first opens this Friday. Voting then closes just before the live show on Sunday, before reopening during the show for approximately 15 minutes after all the songs are performed. The public vote goes towards half of the outcome, with the other half decided by a professional jury.
