The organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest are in "close contact" with Swiss winner Celine Dion, following reports that she had ruled out performing this year in Basel.
Switzerland, where the competition began in Lugano in 1956, will host Tuesday's first semi-final in Basel. It will see the Netherlands return to the stage after their act was kicked out of the competition shortly before the final last year.
Dion, 57, won in Dublin in 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, and there has been speculation that, since there has been no Swiss entry triumph until Nemo clinched victory with The Code last year at Malmo, she would return to the stage.
The Canadian singer has stepped away from touring in recent years because of increasing health issues while living with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), but made an emotional comeback at the 2024 Paris Olympics singing Edith Piaf’s classic Hymne à l’Amour while in the Eiffel Tower.
It was reported that Dion sent in a video message for the first semi-final rehearsals wishing the contestants luck, appearing to rule out her return, but this appeared to be dismissed by Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR.
An SRG SSR spokesman said: "All elements of the first semi-final show were played through and rehearsed intensively.
"There are currently no changes regarding Celine Dion – we are still in close contact with her."
The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals take place on 13 and 15 May and will be shown live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 8pm. The Grand Final takes place on Saturday, 17 May, and will be shown live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm.
Source: Press Association
