Iceland’s Daoi Freyr was our favourite for Eurovision 2020, but Covid denied him and his band the chance to compete as the event was nixed. Then it was announced he’d be allowed to come back for 2021, and we are just days away from finally seeing him perform a potential winner…

 

…except we’re not. Crushingly, a bandmate has tested positive for Covid and will not be allowed to perform live. Instead tape from a dress rehearsal will be used. Daoi tweeted: “We have all been extremely careful the whole trip so this comes as a huge surprise. We are very happy with the performance and super excited for you all to see it! Thank you for all the love.”

 

It appears the band took the decision, because a statement from the song contest implied the group could have performed without the affected member but chose to act as a team: “In close collaboration with the EBU and the host broadcaster, Daoi og Gagnamagnio have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from performing in this year’s live Eurovision Song Contest shows, as they only want to perform together as a group,” said the official statement. “Their song will remain in the competition and we will broadcast their rehearsal performance, recorded on the stage on 13 May.”