[LMBTO] Me & Norma John at The London Eurovision Party Press Event...

Now this was, for me, the must have picture and interview at the London Eurovision Party press event...

I know that I am nowhere near revealing my number one on my rankings this year but ever since I heard "Blackbird" during the UMK snippets this year, it has been my favourite, its ability to make my spine tingle every time I hear it has not diminished despite listening to it daily.  It was with this in mind that I spotted the two of them entering the press room and I knew that I had to interview them!  Having chatted to their very laid back delegation member who, when asked if I needed to join the queue, just told me to wait at the bar and grab them as they walked past, I took my place waiting after the Eurovision institutions that are JP and David Mann from Eurovision Radio International:

I was up next - I think it went well and I even managed to highlight something that no one else had...

Yep, I spotted the lace on Leena's mic at UMK!  They seemed pleased that at least one person in the entire world had spotted that little touch that matched Leena's dress.  I was delighted to hear that their staging at Kyiv will not be changed from the overall beautiful simplicity that was there at UMK and that the pair were not going to compromise on their art.  They were really down to earth, seemed to have no airs or graces and it was an absolute delight to meet them.

Everything I said in that interview was true - I would love "Blackbird" to win Eurovision 2017 and to visit Finland for the first time.  I have to admit that my knowledge of any other city in that nation is nil so my comment about Helsinki is because I would just assume that any contest would be there again.  Having the juxtaposition of something like Norma John singing 'Blackbird', as compared to the only Finnish winner Lordi, would totally blow most Eurovision fans minds!

My first Eurovision artist of the day interviewed, a few minutes later saw me have a longer chat with a very unassuming and quite shy artist who showed a real passion for her song...