Wild Youth have sensationally cut ties with their their creative director in charge of their Eurovision performance over online comments allegedly made by him.
The band – consisting of Conor O’Donohue, David Whelan, Ed Porter and Callum McAdam – are hoping for Eurovision success in Liverpool next month with their song, We Are One.
But in a shock announcement, the group have parted ways with their creative director Ian Banham, who was hired in February, just weeks before the semi-finals on May 9 – saying they do not want the choreographer "near our team or Eurovision journey."
A row has erupted over Banham’s views on transgender rights, with singer Conor saying he felt "sick" reading Banham’s online views relating to this issue and also critical comments about Ukraine, and their victory last year at the song contest.
READ MORE: Strict diets, vocal doctors and ditching the booze - Wild Youth's bid for Eurovision glory revealed
Banham’s online comments range all the way to last year at least, as the remarks include dismissals of Ukraine’s victory in Turin last year. The comments were discovered by the ESC Discord team on Twitter.
Conor said: "First off, I want to apologise with my whole heart to anyone who has been hurt or even had to read such horrible tweets.
"He goes against everything I stand for, his tweets make me feel sick reading them.
"Writing this song and writing these lyrics was writing about what I believe in.
"Acceptance Unity and kindness. Ian will have nothing to do with Wild Youth on our Eurovision journey.
"Again, from the bottom of my heart. I’m sorry to anybody who had to read these tweets and was affected by them.
"Thank you to the @ESCdiscord for bringing this to our attention."
Conor declined to comment on the row when contacted by us and Banham has yet to publicly respond to the controversy.
In a statement, Wild Youth condemned Banham’s comments.
"Wild Youth is a band that stands for unity and kindness. Our song represents our beliefs as a band," the statement reads.
"We have cut all ties with Ian Banham and will not have him on or near our team or Eurovision journey.
"We are so sorry for anyone offended by his comments."
"And just to note we were with @michaelkealy1 and both himself and @rte were as horrified as we were," the band added.
Ian has worked as a choreographer on RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars and has previously worked with well-known acts such as Westlife, Nathan Carter and Walking on Cars.
The choreographer has also worked on Dancing on Ice, Got To Dance and So You Think You Can Dance.
A spokesman for RTÉ said: "Ian Banham is no longer a member of Ireland's Eurovision 2023 team.
“RTÉ won't be making any further comment."
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