Eurovision 2021 host Rylan Clark-Neal grills UK hopeful James Newman in Line Of Duty parody 

Eurovision hosts Rylan Clark-Neal and Scott Mills gave their best impression of AC-12’s Steve Arnott and Ted Hastings as they grilled UK hopeful James Newman during a Line Of Duty parody.

The spoof, named Line Of Eurovision, sees the former X Factor star, 32, and the radio host, 47, interrogate musician and the UK’s 2021 entry James, 35, as they investigate his plans for this year’s contest in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 

The hilarious mock police interview sees Superintendent Clark-Neal and Detective Inspector Mills – heads of the BBC’s ESC-21 Investigation Team – come face-to-face with the singer and his fierce union rep Chelcee Grimes.

Things kick of with a flashback to a ‘previous’ episode, with the clips incorporated with the credits and theme music mimicking the hit BBC One police drama, which concluded its sixth series with a ‘disappointing’ finale earlier this month. 

With Scott channelling his inner DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) in a smart waistcoat, it was down to Rylan to give Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) a run for his money, with the presenter raging: ‘Mother of Gina G!’ in frustration over the case. 

While singer and footballer Chelcee, 29, proves to be tough opposition for ESC-21 as the feisty attorney as she shouts at them: ‘If you want to speak to my client, you’ll have to go through me!’

The teaser clip, to which will be shown in full at the competition’s first semi-final on Tuesday, then moves on to the interview room, with Rylan and Scott preparing to cross-examine James on everything from his new song ‘Embers’, his lyrics and his staging plans for the competition.

While no stone will be left unturned as he’s also set to be grilled on his career so far and questioned on why he’s entering the competition with a dance track, despite the UK known for performing ballads on the famous stage.    

Viewers will have to wait and see the outcome of the interrogation when the skit is screen on May 18, amid the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.    

The BRIT Award winner will take to the stage in Rotterdam with a new song after the 2020 final was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.

Due to the cancellation all of last year’s Eurovision acts have been invited to represent their country in this year’s final, which is expected to have social distancing measures and a limited crowd in place.

Speaking about his return he said: ‘I’m so excited and honoured to be getting a second chance at representing my country in the Eurovision Song Contest. 

‘I haven’t stopped making new music in lockdown and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the song I’m taking to Eurovision in 2021.’ 

Jo Wallace, Acting Controller Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC, says: ‘We are so pleased to have James back with us and representing the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2021. 

‘After 2020 and the postponing of the 65th song contest Eurovision is exactly what everyone needs!’   

Mel Balac, Creative Director for BBC Studios, says: ‘James has really embraced being part of the Eurovision family and team ESC UK are delighted that he is getting another shot at Eurovision.’

James won a BRIT Award in 2014 for Best British Single after co-writing Rudimental and Ella Eyre’s Waiting All Night. 

Michael Rice represented the UK in 2019, but finished the nation’s poor run of results in the final, finishing in last place with just 11 points after a vote correction. 

This year’s Eurovision is expected to see many 2020 acts return with new songs to compete, as rules state they cannot return with the same track as last year.

Last year many fans called for Iceland’s viral track Think About Things by Daði og Gagnamagnið to be crowned the winner even before the final had been cancelled.

Bosses opted to replace the competition with a special Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light which showcased the artists due to take part at a sombre time when the continent was gripped by the pandemic. 

As one of the Big Five countries (United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy), the United Kingdom does not have to qualify from the semi-final stage of the competition and will gain automatic access to the Saturday Grand Final. 

The Netherlands, as the incumbent champion, will also not need to qualify from the semi-final stage and will gain automatic entry to the Grand Final. 

The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will air on BBC One on Saturday 22nd May in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The semi-finals will also air on BBC Four on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th May.