Again sad news, just at the start of 2021: Liam Reilly passed away at age 65. Liam Reilly was the Irish participant in the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest and became 2nd with the song “Somewhere in Europe”.
Liam Reilly, was an Irish singer/songwriter and musician . He was a member of the group Bagatelle. He left the group in the mid-1980s and moved to the USA. There he started a solo career and recorded his first album “Savannah Serenade”. In 1988 he took part in the Irish National Song Contest, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Lifeline”. He became 2nd but came back to win the event in 1990. As a composer, Reilly returned to Eurovision in 1991 when he wrote Kim Jackson’s entry “Could it be that I’m in love”.
Liam Reilly also produced cassette ‘Throwing Caution to the Wind’. All songs were written by him except ‘Georgia on My Mind’ and ‘Moonriver’.
Reilly passed away “suddenly and peacefully” at his home on 1 January 2021. May he rest in peace.
Vienna 2026: Hosts revealed
📷 Thomas Ramstorfer/ORF Vienna 2026 hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski have been officially announced by Austrian broadcaster ORF as the presenters of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Both hosts are prominent Austrian personalities. They bring a blend of glamour and experience to the contest’s stage. Below, we explore their backgrounds, careers, and connections to Austria, as well as their past hosting experience, to understand what they will bring to Eurovision 2026. Victoria Swarovski: Austrian TV Star and Entrepreneur Victoria Swarovski, 30, hails from Innsbruck in Tyrol, Austria. She has built a multifaceted career as a television presenter, entrepreneur, model, and designer. Swarovski first gained wide attention after winning the German dance competition Let’s Dance in 2016. That was a victory that marked a turning point in her public career. In 2018, she returned to Let’s Dance as one of its hosts. With this, she proved her prowess in front of the camera as a presenter. Beyond television, Victoria Swarovski has expanded into business and fashion. In 2020 she launched her own beauty brand, ORIMEI. Her work also includes modeling and design, underscoring her versatility in the entertainment industry. As one of the Vienna 2026 hosts, Swarovski’s combination of on-stage confidence and business savvy represents the modern, dynamic face of Austria on the Eurovision stage. Michael Ostrowski: Acclaimed Actor and Presenter Michael Ostrowski, Fifty, is an acclaimed actor, writer, and presenter from Leoben in Styria, Austria. He achieved his professional breakthrough in 2004 with a hit comedy film and has since become a recognisable figure in Austrian film and television. Known for his comic timing and charm, Ostrowski has enjoyed a long-running screen career spanning both acting and filmmaking. Importantly for his Eurovision role, Michael Ostrowski also has extensive hosting experience. He has fronted major Austrian TV events, including the gala 100 Years of Radio, for which he earned a prestigious Romy award (Austria’s top television honor) as Best Presenter. His background in live entertainment and event hosting equips him well to engage the massive international audience of Eurovision. As one of the Vienna 2026 hosts, Ostrowski brings seasoned stage presence and a touch of humor to the proceedings. The Vienna 2026 Hosts on Eurovision’s Stage Together, the Vienna 2026 hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski exemplify Austrian talent and showmanship on the Eurovision stage. This duo has been praised by ORF as “an exciting and unique pair” with great passion for the contest. Their combined skills—Swarovski’s live TV polish and Ostrowski’s comedic flair—promise a balanced hosting team capable of guiding viewers through the semi-finals and grand final with professionalism and Austrian warmth. Eurovision fans can look forward to a memorable show in May 2026 as this hosting pair leads the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. source: eurovision.com
