Wild Youth will dedicate their Eurovision performance to The Script’s Mark Sheehan, who died earlier this month at the age of 46.
The band’s lead singer Conor O’Donohoe revealed he “owes everything” to the late guitarist who passed away after a short illness.
Dublin native Conor told the Sunday Mirror: “Mark was an incredibly special person. I had the honour of working with The Script for such a long time.
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“In the studio every day he was the first person that backed me and flew me to London and believed in me, and hugged me and told me I was brilliant for the first time.
“But also told me what I could improve on at the same time.
“I kind of owe Mark everything and the Eurovision performance is going to be wholeheartedly dedicated to Mark.”
Wild Youth are set to perform in the first semi-final of the song contest on May 9 in front of a capacity audience in Liverpool.
Conor’s mum Jackie died of a brain tumour in 2011 when Conor was only 17.
He said: “I’m sure my mum will be looking down and smiling, whether we come last or whether we come first, that’s the kind of person she was.
“We just want to go there and give our best performance and try to make everyone proud of us and do our country proud, because we’ve been put in this very privileged position, so fingers crossed. It would absolutely be a dream come true to win.”
Following reports that 2FM had not given We are One much airplay, the artist is hopeful the national broadcaster will get behind the song in the lead up to the contest.
He said: “Ideally you are going to the Eurovision and your country’s familiar with the song.
“Radio airplay is a very important part of people getting to hear your song and we have been quite lucky that some stations have really picked up on it.”
The band, made up of Conor, David Whelan, Ed Porter and Callum McAdam, have already amassed a legion of fans in Europe.
Receptive
Conor added: “The crowds have been so receptive.
“Every night when we’re playing the song they sing every word back which is an incredible feeling.
“Hundreds of people are waiting outside the hotel and fans are taking pictures and bringing us presents.
“It’s been an incredible experience and especially in London, the other night was such a magical way to kind of close off the pre parties.
“And it’s been amazing to see a reception like that.”
Wild Youth wear masks in the video for We are One – which has divided opinion amongst fans.
Conor explained: “We actually got more hate for the masks and I don’t know why, maybe that’s because people didn’t totally understand the concept behind it.”
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