Sam Ryder has earned the highest charting UK Eurovision entry in 26 years with his hit ‘Space Man’
The single was the most downloaded track of the week and hit No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, after finishing in second place during the 2022 edition of the Contest in Turin last weekend.
Of his win, he told OfficialCharts.com: “We wanted to take on this negative Eurovision stigma in the UK – this habitual loop of cynicism and telling ourselves Europe doesn’t like the UK.
“That was absolutely not the case, we don’t subscribe to that narrative whatsoever. The result gives strength to that idea. We’ve stripped away at the negativity and shone a bit of light in its place.
“Eurovision is my favourite thing in the world – I’m so stoked that I got to be a part of this story with my friends and my team.”
Sam came second in the charts to Harry Styles, who lands a seventh week at No. 1 with As It Was.
“I feel like what Harry stands for, as a fan of his and listening to his music, he stands for the same things that Eurovision celebrates; a freedom of expression, of inclusivity,” Sam added.
“A celebration of music, joy and togetherness.”
The chart feat scores Sam the best placement for a UK Eurovision entry since Gina G’s chart-topping 1996 track Ooh Aah… Just A Little Bit.
Meanwhile, Harry’s stint atop the charts ties with Disney’s ‘Encanto’ track We Don’t Talk About Bruno for the longest-running No. 1 of the year so far.