The Swiss national broadcaster, SRF, has confirmed that a total of 21 acts have been shortlisted and invited to compete in the Live Check stage of the country’s Eurovision 2017 national selection.

Swiss jury has invited 21 performers to the Live-Check. Thanks to all 160 candidates! #srfesc #eurovision # esc2017 https://t.co/b2wGJJBCTS pic.twitter.com/SO8mLqIogZ

— SRF ESC (@srfesc) November 16, 2016

Earlier this month following the closure of submissions, SRF confirmed that a total of 160 valid entries had been submitted to the broadcaster to compete in the Swiss national selection.

Shortlisting for the Live Check stage

It was down to an expert jury consisting of 21 members to decide which 20 acts would move forward to compete in the Live Check stage of the national selection.

Despite originally intending to shortlist a total of 20 acts, the expert panel decided that an additional act should also be given the opportunity to compete in the Live Check stage of the selection, therefore a total of 21 entries will be performed to the jury next month.

The Live Check stage of the Swiss national selection will take place on the 4 December, where the expert jury will judge the acts based on their performance skills, vocal qualities and stage presence. They will then choose between 6 to 10 songs to compete in the final on the 5 February.

SRF has yet to reveal the 21 shortlisted acts for the Live Check stage, however the final 6-10 acts selected to compete in the Swiss final will be revealed shortly after the auditions on the 4 December.

Switzerland in Eurovision 2016

Last year, Rykka was one of the 6 acts to be shortlisted to compete in Die Entscheidungsshow, going on to win and earn the right to represent Switzerland at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.

With her entry The last of our kind, Rykka competed in second semi-final and received a total of 28 points, placing in 18th position and therefore failing to qualify to the Grand Final.