RTP’s news report yesterday ended with some breaking news: Luisa Sobral, the composer and author of the Portugese entry Amar pelos dois, as well as Salvador’s sister, will take over his role during the first days of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Salvador itself will arrive in Kyiv on 7 May, as he will go on stage for the first time on 8 May during the first dress rehearsal of Semifinal 1.

Salvador is recovering from a hernia surgery which caused him to not participate in any of the preview parties of this year’s Eurovision. The Portugese site Flash has reported a month ago that Salvador is waiting for a heart surgery, a rumour that wasn’t confirmed. However, RTP’s report did mention that it is heart problems which cause the late arrival to Kyiv.

As a result, Luisa Sobral, Salvador’s sister as well as the composer and author of the song, will get into his shoes during the first days of Eurovision 2017 – rehearsing on stage and taking part in the Meet and Greet and the press conference of Portugal. Salvador’s first stage performance will be the first dress rehearsal of Semifinal 1 on 8 May.

Meanwhile, the preparations at home are going well as the Portugese postcard was shot in four locations around the capital city Lisbon: Elevador da Bica, Livraria Ler Devagar, Estúdios Viagens a Marte, and Fábrica Braço de Prata.

RTP’s report regarding the postcard shooting and Salvador’s late arrival to Kyiv

This is not the first time such a thing happens, as back in 1988 the Swedish composer Py Bäckman went on stage to sing Stad i ljus instead of Tommy Körberg in the dress rehearsal due to Tommy’s throat infection. The song finished in the 12th place.

Portugal has its hopes set on Salvador Sobral as its classical entry Amar pelos dois is expected, according to some polls and odds, to bring Portugal its best result in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest. The record currently stands at the 6th place which was achieved by Lucia Moniz and O meu coração não tem cor in 1996.

Stay tuned to ESCToday for more news regarding Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017!