Bucks Fizz will perform from home on May 16 as part of a virtual show arranged by organisers of the cancelled Eurovision Song Contest.
The eighties pop group – now renamed The Fizz – were poised for a return to the stage that helped turn them into household names when the long-running annual event kicked off in Rotterdam later this month.
But organisers have since cancelled the musical extravaganza in accordance with social distancing measures as the world tackles the growing threat of coronavirus COVID-19.
Welcome back: Bucks Fizz will perform from home on May 16 as part of a virtual show arranged by organisers of the cancelled Eurovision Song Contest (pictured as a four-piece with former member Bobby in 2017)
Remaining Bucks Fizz members Jay Aston, Cheryl Baker and Mike Nolan will now perform from their respective homes as part of a virtual event, hastily arranged to replace the live show.
Confirming the news, singer Jay, 58, told The Mirror: ‘We will be doing a virtual live performance on the night from our living rooms.’
The group – originally a four-piece including the now departed Bobby G – became an overnight success after winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with catchy single Making Your Mind Up.
Old times: The group became an overnight success after winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with catchy single Making Your Mind Up
And Jay promised the group would do their best to replicate the performance from home, including the iconic moment she and Cheryl, now 66, ripped their skirts off.
She said: ‘There is a cue in the music so we won’t get that wrong! I still have so many skirts in my wardrobe with bits of Velcro on, a virtual skirt rip is possible.’
Jay is currently behind closed doors at her Kent home, and is deemed a high-risk should she contract COVID-19 after beating mouth cancer in 2018.
New performance: Remaining members Cheryl Baker (left), Mike Nolan (left centre) and Jay Aston (right centre) will perform from their their respective homes during a virtual show
The singer successfully underwent surgery and had 40% of her tongue rebuilt from thigh tissue, but despite making a full recovery she remains susceptible to serious illness if diagnosed with the killer bug.
Bucks Fizz sold more than 50-million records during their heyday before disbanding in 1988, two-years after the release of their final album – Writing On The Wall.
It’s understood that the songs entered into this year’s Eurovision Song Contest will not be eligible in 2021.
Recovery: Jay (centre) is currently behind closed doors at her Kent home, and is deemed a high-risk should she contract COVID-19 after beating mouth cancer in 2018
James Newman was picked as the UK’s entry and was hoping his track My Last Breath could bring long-awaited success, however it has now been made clear he won’t be able to compete with that song.
Despite this, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have said countries can still send the same artist they had hoped would represent them in what was to have been the competition’s 65th edition.
Releasing a statement in March, they said: ‘We have been overwhelmed with the love that the Eurovision Song Contest family has shared since the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 event.
Success: Bucks Fizz sold more than 50-million records during their heyday before disbanding in 1988, two-years after the release of their final album – Writing On The Wall
‘The EBU is very aware of how much the Eurovision Song Contest will be missed this year. The contest’s values of universality and inclusivity, and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music, are needed now more than ever.
‘As such, the EBU and its members are currently exploring alternative programming, but not a competition, to help unite and entertain audiences around Europe during these challenging times.
‘It is our intention with this programming, and on our online platforms in the coming months, to honour the songs and artists which have been chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.
Here we go: Jay and Cheryl’s skirts are removed during a 1981 performance of Making Your Mind Up
‘With that in mind, the Reference Group, the Song Contest’s governing board, has decided that, in accordance with the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, this year’s songs will not be eligible to compete when the contest returns in 2021.
‘At their discretion, participating broadcasters may decide which artist(s) to send in 2021, either this year’s representative or a new one.
‘We ask for your continued patience while we work through practical implications of these ideas in the coming days and weeks.’