Meet the UK's Eurovision entrant: 'The BBC is taking a risk on me'

Published: 06 March 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

Sam Battle, the man behind the eccentric musical project Look Mum No Computer, has admitted the BBC is “taking a risk” by selecting him as the UK’s Eurovision entrant for the 2026 contest in Vienna .

The Kent-based musician, who builds his own bizarre electronic instruments from old toys and bicycles, will represent the United Kingdom at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in May with his song Eins, Zwei, Drei, which receives its first radio play today on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show .

Speaking exclusively to The English Chronicle ahead of the track’s release, Battle acknowledged that his unconventional background makes him an unlikely candidate for the world’s largest live music competition.

“The BBC is absolutely taking a risk on me, and I think they know it,” the 36-year-old said with a grin. “I’m not your typical polished pop star. I make synthesisers out of Game Boys and organs out of Furby toys. That’s not exactly the usual Eurovision formula.”

Born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, Battle launched his YouTube channel in 2013, amassing more than 85 million views and 1.4 million followers across his social platforms . His videos showcase his homemade creations: flame-throwing keyboards, a Raleigh Chopper bicycle fused with a synthesiser, and a triple oscillator synth built from Nintendo Game Boys .

But behind the eccentricity lies a serious musician who began his career in 2014 as frontman of indie rock band Zibra, performing at Glastonbury in 2015 for BBC Introducing .

“I find it completely bonkers to be jumping on this wonderful and wild journey,” Battle said. “I have always been a massive Eurovision fan, and I love the magical joy it brings to millions of people every year, so getting to join that legacy and fly the flag for the UK is an absolute honour that I am taking very seriously” .

The path to Vienna has been far from smooth for the BBC. In January, the corporation was forced to axe its original, unnamed Eurovision act after routine background checks uncovered historic online comments deemed “unacceptable” . A source told The Sun at the time: “The BBC can’t take any chances with Eurovision being such a pressure cooker this year. Routine checks brought up past behaviour that just didn’t line up” .

The axed artist was said to be “mortified and devastated”, leaving the BBC scrambling to find a replacement . Battle was subsequently selected after an extensive search led by UK Eurovision Project Director David May and Andrew Cartmell, Executive Producer at BBC Studios North .

Battle, who recently returned from a nationwide tour across Germany, is aware of the weight of expectation. The UK has not won Eurovision since Katrina and the Waves claimed victory in 1997 with Love Shine a Light . Last year, girl band Remember Monday finished in 19th place with What The Hell Just Happened?, receiving zero points from the public vote .

“There’s pressure, definitely,” Battle admitted. “But I’m not going to go out there and try to be something I’m not. I’m bringing every ounce of my creativity to this performance. I hope Eurovision is ready to get synthesised” .

His song Eins, Zwei, Drei—a title reflecting the contest’s German-speaking host nation—will be released on streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music from today . The track’s premiere on BBC Radio 2 marks the official launch of the UK’s campaign.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, expressed confidence in the unconventional choice. “We are absolutely thrilled to have Look Mum No Computer representing the UK at Eurovision in Vienna in 2026,” she said. “His bold vision, unique sound and electric performance style make him a truly unforgettable artist. Look Mum No Computer embodies everything the UK wants to celebrate on the Eurovision stage – creativity, ambition, and a distinctly British wit. I am sure he will make us all proud on the international stage in May” .

The contest itself takes place against a backdrop of political controversy. Five countries—Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia—have boycotted the 2026 competition in protest at Israel’s participation amid the ongoing Gaza conflict . Russia remains banned following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine .

Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has called the BBC’s participation “disappointing”, urging the corporation to join other European broadcasters in calling for Israel’s exclusion . The BBC has defended its position, stating it supports “the collective decision made by members of the EBU” .

Battle, however, is focused firmly on the music. The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will take place at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle, with semi-finals on 12 and 14 May and the grand final on 16 May . Austria hosts after singer JJ won in 2025 with Wasted Love .

For Battle, the opportunity represents the culmination of a decade of musical experimentation. “I’ve been working a long time creating, writing, and producing my own visions from scratch, and documenting my process,” he reflected. “Getting to join that legacy and fly the flag for the UK is an absolute honour that I am taking very seriously” .

Whether Europe is ready for a man who makes music from Furbies remains to be seen. But as Battle himself put it: “The BBC took a chance. Now it’s my turn to prove them right.”

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