Rumours have become insistent in the past hours concerning a possible comeback of 2009 Eurovision’s winner Alexander Rybak. The violinist could be among next year’s participants to the Melodi Grand Prix (MGP).
It is the turn of Norway to be the centre of attention of the rumour mill. Many sources indicate that former Eurovision winner Alexander Rybak will take part in the upcoming Norwegian national final, Melodi Grand Prix 2018.
Despite having promised in 2010 that he would never compete in MGP again, Rybak seems to be entering the contest again. Recently he declared in a Norwegian TV show that he was contemplating the idea of a new attempt.
Rybak, who himself is originally of Belarusian descent, said:
It is a production company that has offered me millions to represent Belarus next time in Eurovision, but I would rather do it for free for Norway. If, at all, I get on, then.
Meeting Johnny Logan on Allsang on the Border may have made him change his mind. Rybak posted on Instagram in August this year: Makes me wanna go for Eurovision all over again!.
2018 the year of comebacks
Several sources indicate that Rybak will not be the only artist to get on stage again in the Norwegian national final. Other former contestants such as Vidar “Villa” Mohaugen, Aleksander Walmann, Ida Maria, Alexandra Rotan and Stella Mwangi could all appear on the list of the selected entries.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the official announcement regarding the competing artists will take place on the 15 January 2018. The Melodi Grand Prix will take place on 10 March 2018.
Norway at Eurovision 2017
As with every year, Norway hosted their national selection show MGP in 2017 to select their next Eurovision hopeful. The winners of the show were JOWST feat. Aleksander Walmann with the hip-pop entry Grab the moment, therefore earning the right to represent the country at the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest.
In May, the Scandinavian nation took part in the second semi-final and managed to qualify to the Grand Final. There, Norway’s representatives marked one more successful Top 10 placing for the country, as they came 10th with 158 points.
Watch again the winning performance at Eurovision 2009 in Moscow of Alexander Rybak with the song Fairytale:
