With over 12 million followers and 100 million likes on TikTok, Sam is currently the most followed UK music artist on the platform.

The news was exclusively revealed by Scott Mills on Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James earlier today (Thursday 10 March) with Space Man having previously featured as Tune Of The Week on Scott Mills’ Afternoon Show on BBC Radio 1.

As the world went into lockdown in March 2020, Sam uploaded the first of his now famous covers onto the popular social media platform and his extraordinary vocals quickly caught the attention of celebrity fans including Justin Bieber, Sia and Alicia Keys, who even posted her own video reacting to Sam’s cover of her song If I Ain’t Got You. As the videos kept coming so did the fans, with his social media standing on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook now at well over 17 million followers.

Having signed to Parlophone (part of Warner Music Group), one of the most famous companies in the history of the music industry, Sam’s star has continued to rise. His debut EP was released in 2021 which has so far amassed over 100 million global streams with singles Whirlwind and Tiny Riot topping the worldwide iTunes charts. Sam has also just completed his first sold-out UK tour.

Sam Ryder co-wrote Space Man with Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Wadge (Ed Sheeran, Thinking Out Loud) and Max Wolfgang.

Sam Ryder says: “Having been a fan of Eurovision since I was a kid l I am so honoured to have been presented with the opportunity to sing at an event alongside some of Europe’s most talented creatives, performers and songwriters. I hope to sing my head off in a way the UK can be proud of, and to showcase a song I wrote with my friends last summer makes the whole experience even more special. See you in Turin legends!”

TaP Music co-founders Ben Mawson and Ed Millett say: “The Eurovision Song Contest is truly a cultural phenomenon and an amazing opportunity - with 200 million viewers – for the right performer. As well as Sam having an amazing voice - Space Man is an instant song that we’re confident will really connect. Not to mention he’s also an extremely likeable and engaging character - as evidenced by his TikTok following.”

Kate Phillips, Director of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, says: “Sam is a remarkable performer, with a vocal ability that is literally out of this world. His terrific talent, coupled with the spine-tingling Space Man, ensures a UK entry we can all get behind and be very proud of.”

Suzy Lamb, MD of Entertainment & Music at BBC Studios, says: “BBC Studios is so excited that Sam Ryder will be flying the UK flag in Turin. Sam undoubtably has one of the most remarkable voices in current pop music and we can't wait to share his incredible talent with the rest of Europe and beyond.”

Mark Mitchell and Nick Burgess, Co-Presidents, Parlophone Records, say: “We are genuinely proud and excited to have our own Sam Ryder as the UK’s entry for Eurovision. In Sam, we are putting forward an artist with an incredible voice and a hugely infectious and unique personality. Combined with an amazing song in Space Man, we have huge confidence that he will deliver an iconic moment for the UK at this year’s show.

"Through his massive social media following we can see he already connects with fans from all over Europe. With Sam, Parlophone and TaP Music on board, and working alongside the BBC, there’s a new sense of energy and credibility around the UK’s involvement in Eurovision.”

Scott Mills says: “It’s been such an honour working with the TaP team and the BBC this year in being part of the selection process for our Eurovision entry. I’ve known and supported Sam on Radio 1 since he started and I’m so excited for what he’ll bring to the night in Turin - we truly have a brilliant act this year!"

The contest itself will take place in Turin, Italy following the country's victory at the 2021 contest with the song Zitti e buoni by Måneskin. The Semi Finals will be broadcast on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 10 and Thursday 12 May at 8pm and the Grand Final will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer plus via BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on Saturday 14 May from 8pm.

For the latest information on the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2022, follow @bbceurovision on Twitter and Instagram and BBC Eurovision on Facebook.

The BBC’s Eurovision coverage is a BBC Studios Entertainment production, commissioned by Kate Phillips, Director of Entertainment. The Executive Producer and Head Of Delegation is Andrew Cartmell, and the series producer and Assistant Head of Delegation is Lee Smithurst. Suzy Lamb is the MD of Entertainment & Music at BBC Studios. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Rachel Ashdown.