This Morning fans were left with plenty to say after the UK's Eurovision entry for 2022 appeared on the show. It was announced last week that TikTok star Sam Ryder has been chosen to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest which is taking place in Turin, Italy, in May.
The singer-songwriter will perform the track Space Man in the grand final of the 66th edition of the contest after finding fame covering songs on TikTok during lockdown.
Sam has so far accumulated 12 million followers, making him the most followed UK music artist on the video-sharing platform, according to the BBC, after having worked in the music industry since 2009. Making the 32-year-old feel welcome in the This Morning studio, the show provided some Union Jack flags before Phillip Schofield and Josie Gibson chatted to him all things Eurovision and Tik Tok.
As some very royal music played out as they returned from an ad break, the crew and the hosting duo could be seen waving their flags as Sam himself stood in front of a Union Jack screen.
"It's been 25 years since we've last had a winner but this year, maybe this year, our entry Sam Ryder can beat the UK's Eurovision curse.." Josie said before Phillip sighed and said: "I think it's going to take more than waving a a flag," as Josie continued to enthusiastically wave hers.
But Phillip, 59, got viewers' backs up when he suggested to Sam he couldn't see him returning home with the Eurovision trophy after 26 years of crushing defeats.
The TV host said: "I love the competition. I can watch the show, I love the show, I just can’t watch the scoring. It drives me crazy. When you look at the blocks, the cliques, and all the stuff that goes on. They don’t like us."
Sam tried to respond by saying he 'understood' what Phillip was saying before adding: "Believe me, it's something I considered so much before saying yes to this opportunity." He added: "If we could only find a formula (to win) apart from the fact they don't like us... I want you to be at the top of that leaderboard. Every year we send our singer out there ... then 'oh god, he's come back with nothing.'"
Commenting about the 'negative' turn to the interview, This Morning fans flocked to social media.
@KatieKoffee tweeted: "Shame This Morning (Phil) turned it into actually a really negative interview. Sam did really well to answer positively. ANY UK Eurovision fan will tell you that the fans in other countries do not hate the UK, they disliked the poor songs we have sent. And they are right!!"
"For gods sake Phil, stop being so negative towards Sam Ryder and Eurovision. Let him go and do his best and enjoy it. Stop with the defeatist attitude before he even gets there. #ThisMorning #Eurovision," @ChrisReilly1979 complained.
@DuffillMontague said: "Absolutely fantastic on This Morning Sam! Despite Schofield and his negative remarks. You are a fantastic ambassador for us and I know Europe will love you."
And more viewers were complimentary of Sam and his positive outlook on the competition.
@geordiegalg commented: "Sam Ryder is great and I really hope he does well on the night. Certainly can't knock his enthusiasm and positivity. He's completely right when he talks about people's attitudes to the show too. #Eurovision #ThisMorning."
"Honestly poor old @SamRyderMusic doesn’t stand a chance at #Eurovision but boy is he absolutely winning at life! What a lovely, positive, enthusiastic human being #ThisMorning #SamRyderUKEurovision," @JulesItsjules tweeted.
