For those who triumph at the Eurovision Song Contest, it may seem like they have the world at their feet.
But acts soon learn that life outside of the show’s bubble can be more challenging than they realised, with some stars facing their fair share of hardship.
Eurovision will celebrate its 70th birthday with its grand final in Vienna, Austria on Saturday, with LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER chosen to represent the United Kingdom.
But the contest is already mired in controversy, with countries Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland boycotting over Israel’s participation.
Some former contestants have endured their considerable struggles, including health battles, rehab stints, and a failure to replicate their success with a second run on the Eurovision stage.
It goes to show that even the glitter of the Eurovision spotlight doesn’t always amount to gold…
Bucks Fizz earned the top spot for the UK in 1981, but after a bus crash, feuds exploded in the band over money following their split
Bucks Fizz
By far one of the UK’s most successful Eurovision exports, Bucks Fizz earned the top spot in 1981 with their skirt-whipping routine.
The group were riding high on their success when tragedy struck in 1984, after a terrifying bus crash in Newcastle left Cheryl Baker with a broken spine, and Mike Nolan in a three-day coma.
Mike developed epilepsy in the wake of the ordeal, lost 50 per cent of his vision in both eyes and became noticeably withdrawn.
The group split the following year, with Jay Aston declaring she was leaving the band after an affair with Andy Hill, the husband of the group’s creator, Nichola Martin.
Since then the group has undergone numerous lineup changes, with Shelley Preston replacing Jay, but she quit after a year.
David Van Day joined the band, but following his departure, a court case ensued over the group’s name, with Bobby G keeping the naming rights.
Jay has since revealed she ended up ‘on the dole and living in a bedsit’ after her legal battles with the band left her penniless.
She and Cheryl have since reunited with Mike to form the trio The Fizz.
Alexander made Eurovision history in 2009 when he represented his native country Norway, but he has since battled an addiction to sleeping pills and antidepressants
Alexander Rybak
Alexander made Eurovision history in 2009 when he represented his native country Norway, and earned a record 387 points for his song Fairytale.
He tried to replicate his success by returning to the contest in 2018 with That’s How You Write A Song, but it didn’t win, instead finishing in 15th place.
Two years later, Alexander publicly shared his struggles with an addiction to sleeping pills and antidepressants, and shared he was checking into rehab.
In a post on Instagram, he said: ‘I’ve been living with a secret. For 11 years I have been addicted to sleep medications and antidepressants. It started out harmless, but in the end, it almost ruined my life.
‘This January I started rehab (with good help from my doctors) and little by little I’m starting to feel like myself again.
‘During the past years, the pills made me weak and scared. It affected not only my brain but also my muscles and stomach. It destroyed my relationships to people, but most importantly it almost destroyed my will to live.’
Alexander has since enrolled at Columbia College Chicago and released a new album in January.
He also launched another bid to represent Norway this year by competing in the national finals, but failed to make the cut.
Sandie went down in history as the first British act to win Eurovision back in 1967 with her track Puppet on a String, but was left penniless and living in a caravan during her turbulent marriage
Sandie Shaw
Sandie went down in history as the first British act to win Eurovision back in 1967 with her track Puppet on a String.
The star already had two number one singles when she took part, but went on to struggle after her Eurovision triumph.
After Sandie’s win, she married fashion designer Jeff Banks, but they divorced in 1978.
She went on to accuse her ex of blowing her music fortune on his own career, leaving them with such little money they were forced to live in a caravan with their daughter.
In 2020 Sandie said she’d forgiven Jeff and they were back on speaking terms, telling the Person of Interest podcast: ‘When he was losing all my money without asking I thought that was part of being married.
‘It was a real wake-up call to me that that’s not how it is.
‘I was with my mother-in-law, in the caravan, with my daughter, and we used to sit and knit squares in all different colours. Rainbow colours as a sign of our hope, wishing for something to turn out OK.’
Sandie retired from recording music in 2013, and she is now married to her third husband, psychologist Tony Bedford.
Mans became one of Eurovision’s most successful exploits when he won for his native Sweden in 2015 but last year was hit by struggles in his personal life
After he filed for divorce from his wife, Hollyoaks star Ciara Janson, the actress accused her husband of five years of ‘toxic behaviour’
Mans Zelmerlöw
Mans became one of Eurovision’s most successful entrants when he represented Sweden in 2015 and won with his song Heroes.
He went on to host the contest the following year, but last year was hit by struggles in his personal life.
After he filed for divorce from his wife, Hollyoaks star Ciara Janson, the actress accused her husband of five years of ‘toxic behaviour’.
After news of their divorce broke in Sweden, where they live, Ciara launched into a furious denunciation of the singer she accuses of toxic behaviour and being unfaithful.
She wrote: ‘I have stayed quiet and protected my ex-husband for too long.
‘To stop speculation, I filed for divorce in the UK so I could keep this private. As it seems that is no longer possible, it’s important I speak my truth and finally stand my ground.
‘My children have and always will be my upmost priority, and I will do everything I can to protect them, and be the mother they deserve.
‘I cannot allow my family to live in a hostile environment and be exposed to drug abuse, emotional, physical abuse and endless infidelity anymore.
‘I encourage anyone who is in a similar situation to seek help and support, and find the strength to take control of your life. Everyone deserves happiness and freedom.’
Ciara went on to say that, although she and Mans are parting ways, she wishes him well for the future and hopes he ‘seeks help’.
She wrote: ‘I wish Mans all the best for his future endeavours, and I hope he seeks the help he so desperately needs. Whilst this chapter is closing, I wish him nothing but a path toward a better future.
‘I truly appreciate all the love and support during this unavoidably difficult time. Thank you.’
Zelmerlöw’s lawyer Hanna Lindblom later responded to Ciara’s accusations, telling Sweden’s Expressen newspaper: ‘It is extremely serious to make these types of accusations.
‘It’s not unusual for one of the parties in a divorce to make accusations. But I would say that it’s extremely serious to make these types of accusations. We can’t say much at this point.’
She added: ‘Måns’ focus right now is the well-being of the children. That’s his only focus. He only exists for the children, he keeps it together for them.’
Mans and Ciara tied the knot in 2019 after meeting in 2016 and the couple share two sons, Albert, seven, and Ossian, three. Ciara also shares a son called Archie from a previous relationship.
Örs was the lead singer of the group AWS, who represented Hungary at Eurovision back in 2018, but he died three years later after a battle with leukaemia
Örs Siklósi
Örs was the lead singer of the group AWS, who represented Hungary at Eurovision back in 2018, finishing in 21st place.
However, just three years later, his bandmates revealed he’d tragically died aged just 29 from leukaemia.
In a post on social media, they said: ‘To say the unspeakable, to describe the indescribable.
‘That is what we now have to do. In June, Örs was diagnosed with leukaemia and now we are deeply saddened to inform you that he passed away yesterday.
‘He wanted to open up about his illness last month, he had planned to release his first solo record this spring and we were set to make the fifth AWS record and play shows again this fall. During this period his bravery and dignity were exemplary.’
Since Örs’ death, AWS have continued to perform, and they now have a new lead singer.
Niamh was responsible for Ireland’s second of seven victories at Eurovision in 1993, but she quit fame and is now working in a supermarket after her husband suffered a stroke
Niamh Kavanagh
Niamh was responsible for Ireland’s second of seven victories at Eurovision, when she clinched the win in 1993 with her song In Your Eyes.
She tried to recapture her success by returning in 2010 with It’s for You, but she only finished in 23rd place.
In 2018, Niamh’s husband Paul Megahey suffered a stroke while she was performing on stage, and it left him to unable to speak, though he has slowly recovered.
Niamh then decided to quit fame and got a job in Tesco as a customer assistant so she could help care for Paul during his recovery.
She told the Irish Sun: ‘He’s doing very well. His speech is still a little hesitant at times but that’s part of who he’s going to be I think.
‘It has taken a lot of his energy to recover from it and to make himself not to feel self-conscious.’
Tragedy struck the Alexandrov Ensemble Choir, which performed during the interval at Eurovision in 2009, when a plane crash killed around 60 members of the group in 2016
Alexandrov Ensemble Choir
Tragedy struck the Alexandrov Ensemble Choir, which performed during the interval at Eurovision in 2009, when the contest was hosted by Moscow in Russia.
In 2016, the choir was travelling to a Christmas celebration with troops at a military base when the Russian military aircraft they were on crashed off the coast of Sochi while en route to Syria.
All 92 people on board were killed, including around 60 members of the group.
The choir, which is commonly known as the Red Army Choir in the West, has continued to perform.
