John Lydon calls Eurovision "disgusting" despite competing to represent Ireland with Public Image Ltd.

11 January 2023, 10:28 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(John Lydon)

Former Sex Pistols vocalist John Lydon shared his thoughts about Eurovision last night (10 January), calling the competition "disgusting" despite his upcoming attempt to represent Ireland with Public Image Ltd. at this year's event.

On Monday (9 January) it was revealed that John Lydon's Public Image Ltd. will be competing to represent Ireland at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Public Image Ltd. will be going up against ADGY, CONNOLLY, Wild Youth, Leila Jane and K Muni & ND, and will perform their new single "Hawaii" on Ireland’s The Late Late Show next month.

However, it seems Lydon isn't a huge fan of Eurovision. According to Metro, he called the competition "disgusting" in an interview on RTÉ Radio 1 yesterday (10 January), and revealed he's never watched it. Lydon said, "It’s absolutely awful, the songs. The whole thing of it is disgusting to me. I'm a songwriter, I perform live, and these shows just come across as so dreadfully phoney to me."

Lydon added, "But look, we’re giving it a chance to break out of that mould."

Despite saying he's not a fan of the competition, Lydon did say it's a "fantastic opportunity".

The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine on 9, 11 and 13 May. Visit eurovision.tv for more information.