Real life of Eurovision UK runner-up Sam Ryder - TikTok fame, unknown band and vegan business

Sam Ryder returns to Eurovision in Liverpool tonight (Saturday May 13), but instead of competing, he will be performing. The runner-up, who was pipped to the post by Ukraine at last year's song contest, has had a whirlwind 12 months.

The 33-year-old becoming the highest-scoring UK Eurovision entrant, earning 466 points in Italy last year. He made history, giving the UK its best result since 1998 and its first top three act since 2002.

Since then, he's played sold-out shows, the Queen's jubilee and released a chart-topping album. Here is a look at what Sam's been up to since his Eurovision success - and a reflection on how it all began.

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Last year was massive for the Essex lad. Just before Christmas, he bagged the number one spot with his album There’s Nothing But Space, Man! He fought off tough competition from US singer SZA’s long-awaited second studio album SOS, which placed at number two.

Sam also performed at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace and appeared at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert at Wembley Stadium, singing a rendition of Queen’s Somebody To Love with Brian May, Roger Taylor and Foo Fighters.

This year saw him become the first ever Eurovision act to be nominated for Best New Artist at the Brit Awards. He also performed alongside French DJ David Guetta at the awards' live show. Sam also ventured out on a string of sold-out shows, including a date at Manchester Academy.

Initially, Sam shot to fame on social media app TikTok, where he posted covers of popular songs during the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. But Sam began singing when he was a child and was inspired to pursue a career in