RTร is overhauling its Eurovision team following a disappointing result in the 2024โ contest and amid reports of internal tensions,with the co-creator of the critically panned ‘Toy Show’ musical among those appointed to the revamped lineup.The changes come as the competition prepares for its 70th anniversary in 2025.
The โขshake-up signals a important response to Ireland‘s failure to qualify for the grand final in Basel, Switzerland, this year with Emmy’s song “Laika Party.” It also follows previous accountsโ of friction within the RTร Eurovision operation and a history of intense public scrutiny directed โคat its head of delegation. The restructuringโฃ aims to inject fresh perspectives and perhaps โคaddress the challenges faced โคby the team in delivering a prosperous eurovision entry.
Alan Tyler, who has served as Ireland’s head of delegation, previously workedโฃ at the BBC on shows including Strictly Come Dancing, All Round to Mrs Brown’s, and Comic Relief. In โข2022, Tyler โคrevealed the โฃpressure of the role, stating on the Irish Eurovision podcast, รirevision, that no “other producerโข in RTร has to โคput up with the abuse โคI get” and that “you wouldn’t โwant to have tooโค thin a skin” to take on the position.โข He also disclosedโ receiving complaints directly addressed to theโฃ RTร director general,then Dee Forbes,demanding his removal.Reports of backstage tensions between โคTyler and production staff on The Late Late Show surfaced in 2023.
The Eurovision Song Contest originated in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1956, conceived as a means of uniting a post-World War II europe through music.