In 2025, the United Kingdom hosted its biggest-ever Eurovision Song Contest celebration, known as ‘Manchagen’. The event featured live performances from current Eurovision contestants as well as iconic acts from past years.
Lindsay Dracass represented the United Kingdom at the 2001 Eurovision contest with her song ‘No Dream Impossible’ at just 16 years old.
We caught up with her in person to discuss her Eurovision experience
Lindsay, how are you doing, firstly?
I’m alright, thanks, my love. How are you?
Yes, good thank you. Have you had your soundcheck, and how did it go?
I have, yeah it went well. I’ve got my own microphone, so I’ve got my little baby or third baby, should I say!
So what can we expect from your performance tonight… something a little different?
Well, yes! I’m hosting for the first time, so that’s a surprise in itself but I’m good at talking, so I should be alright. I’m sure I’ll be fine. It’s a beautiful nightclub (Cruz 101), and I’m sure some stuff will happen down there.
No comment.
Exactly—no comment… watch this space.
How was your Eurovision experience all those years ago?
Okay… so 24 years ago, I was only 16, wow! It was like, you know, nowadays when you look at it… in 2023 I was obviously doing a bit more with the parties and the fun, and all the media side of it. All the TV and the promotional side of it is a lot more than when I did it. Because I went for the BBC and because I was so young, it was literally eat, sleep, repeat kind of thing. So it was rehearse, sleep, eat, get up, it was very regimented. It’s only now I’ve really embraced it and kind of met some of the lovely Eurovision fans, which you all are, to be honest. It’s like a gorgeous family.
A gorgeous community.
Yeah, it is… but we are family! And then obviously meeting other artists and getting really connected and building nice bonds, like when I saw Niamh (Kavanagh), just a lovely family. If you’re from Sweden, Denmark, Poland, anywhere, it doesn’t matter. It’s about the music, isn’t it?
Obviously Eurovision has changed a lot over the years. What does it mean to you to still be involved with events like these, celebrating the artists of Eurovision through the years?
Yeah, I’m quite honoured really. Because in 2018, I came back on the Eurovision scene and I didn’t realise a lot of people remembered me. I just thought, “Let’s just forget 2001.” And then when I did EuroPride and sang my song No Dream Impossible, and I got to the end note, I just cried, because everyone was singing, and I was really overwhelmed. I just thought, “You’re all crazy like me!” That’s what I like.
You’re a part of Eurovision history!
Well yeah, but all them years ago, I did think, “Ah, no one’s gonna remember me. Who’s gonna remember a greasy teenager?” I just want to say thank you, and have the best night and don’t drink too much!
You can follow Lindsay on social media and check out my other interviews.