Eurovision 2019 winner Duncan Laurence tests positive for COVID-19, will not perform at live final

Laurence represented The Netherlands at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest with "Arcade", and was due to perform at the live final in Rotterdam this Saturday (22 May) having won the contest in 2019, but today (20 May), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed that Laurence has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the statement, Laurence "has mild symptoms", but is due to "feature in the show in a different form".

Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer, said, "We are of course disappointed, first of all for Duncan, who deserves a live performance on our very own Eurovision stage after his 2019 victory and the worldwide success of "Arcade". We couldn’t be more proud of his opening act for the first Semi-Final. Of course we wish Duncan a speedy recovery!"

His management added, "Duncan is very disappointed, he has been looking forward to this for two years. We are very happy that he will still be seen in the final on Saturday, May 22."

Laurence's positive COVID-19 test comes just days after Iceland's 2021 Eurovision contestant Daði Freyr revealed a member of Gagnamagnið tested positive for the virus. Yesterday (19 May) he gave an update, writing, "Unfortunately this probably means that we will not take part in the rehearsal today or live show tomorrow and a recording from our second rehearsal will be used instead."