Singer and YouTuber who makes music with Furbys and Game Boys picked for UK at Eurovision

Electronic music artist and tech creator Look Mum No Computer has been chosen to represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, the BBC has announced.

Look Mum No Computer is a solo artist, songwriter and YouTuber, who is also described as "an inventor of unique musical machines".

The singer first arrived on the music scene back in 2014 as Sam Battle, frontman of indie rock band Zibra. The group performed at Glastonbury in 2015 for BBC Introducing. Since then, he has been performing and recording under his solo name.

"I find it completely bonkers to be jumping on this wonderful and wild journey," he 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."

Look Mum No Computer is also a content creator with 1.4 million combined followers across his social media accounts, including his YouTube channel.

The Kent-based artist has attracted attention for the unusual electronic instruments he creates, including organs made from Furby toys and Game Boys, synthesiser bicycles and flame-throwing keyboards.

"I've been working a long-time creating, writing, and producing my own visions from scratch, and documenting my process," he explained.

"I will be bringing every ounce of my creativity to my performances, and I can't wait for everyone to hear and see what we've created. I hope Eurovision is ready to get synthesized!"

The singer-songwriter even has his own museum in Ramsgate called This Museum is (Not) Obsolete.

He has described it as "the home for experimental and obsolete scientific and musical technology", and it includes a vintage Game Boy he has programmed to play a 100-year-old church organ.

The BBC chooses the UK's Eurovision entry via an internal process, with help from industry experts.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, said of their choice: "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."

His song hasn't been revealed yet, but BBC Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills said he had heard it.

Mills said: "The UK often gets criticised at Eurovision, or it has in some years. 'We're always really safe, we always keep it really middle of the road.' So we are going to try something different this year. Why not? Let's try something different, and it is different."

Speaking about the song, Mills said: "From just one listen, I want you to imagine a bit of Basshunter's Now You're Gone and then put a bit of Parklife [by] Blur in there, and maybe you would add in a bit of West End Girls [by] Pet Shop Boys, maybe the synths of The Human League. Sprinkle a bit of Verka Serduchka in there. Maybe just a tiny bit of Sex Pistols.

"Stick all that in a blender and create a big anthem to take on Eurovision, one that I can imagine they will be singing in that arena."

The song will get its first radio play on Mills's Radio 2 breakfast show "in the coming weeks", the BBC said.

There was a cautiously optimistic reaction to the news on social media.

Oscar-nominated English musician Daniel Pemberton posted that he was "very excited we are going to have a truly unique eccentric oddball repping the UK (meant in the best way possible) at Eurovision", adding: "He is a real one off."

Paul Jordan, known as Dr Eurovision, described the move as "a bold and brave choice".

Another Eurovision fan posted: "I think it's great to see the BBC taking a risk though instead of no effort. Time will tell once we have the song!"

The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Vienna following Austrian singer JJ's victory in Switzerland last year.

The grand final will take place on 16 May, although this year's contest has been dogged by controversy after five countries pulled out following the confirmation of Israel's participation in the competition.

The UK is hoping to reverse its fortunes after struggling in the contest since in recent years.

After the high of Sam Ryder's second place back in 2022, Mae Muller came second to last in Liverpool the following year, Olly Alexander finished 18th in 2024, and Remember Monday landed in 19th place last year.