Graham Norton has tipped Ireland's Eurovision entry Wild Youth to do well in the song contest in Liverpool, praising the group’s "good athematic song".
The international song competition takes place next week with the Dublin band set to take part in the first semi-final on Tuesday with their song We Are One.
They are set to perform their second rehearsal today in Liverpool.
Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine on Wednesday, Norton, 60, said: "What I like about it is that it’s in Liverpool, but actually it’s in the UK, there’s a real sense that everyone is excited about this."
Talking about the acts, he said: "Mae Muller is really, really good, Loreen is the favourite from Sweden, (but) I think little dark horses might be those boys from Ireland.
"It’s a good athematic song and I just saw a little bit of their dress rehearsal and it’s really well styled.
"They’ve got a disco gold jumpsuit… if they get through the semi-final I think they might do well on the night."
Wild Youth, comprising Conor O’Donohoe, Callum McAdam, Ed Porter and David Whelan, performed on the Eurosong edition of The Late Late Show for the chance to represent Ireland at this year’s contest, beating other contestants including former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon and his band Public Image Ltd.
To reach the final on Saturday 13 May, the group will have to qualify from Tuesday’s semi-final which also includes entries from competition favourites Sweden and Finland.
Ireland has participated in Eurovision more than 50 times and has a record seven wins but has failed to qualify for the final since Ryan O’Shaughnessy entered with his song Together in 2018.
Source: Press Association
