BUSTED: APRIL FOOL'S
Broadcaster SBS has announced Shannon Noll will represent Australia's hopes at next year's Eurovision Song Contest.
Noll, who shot to national prominence in 2003, coming second to Guy Sebastian in the inaugural season of Australian Idol, was both shocked and delighted with his selection. "It's a privilege... I'm actually stunned. It's been a helluva ride for 13 years."
Currently on tour, Nollsie told scenestr he hasn't decided which song(s) he'll put forward but he'd try to go one better than Guy Sebastian who came fifth in the 2015 global extravaganza. "I still haven't totally gotten over losing to [Sebastian] in 2003, you know? It wasn't right but that's how it goes... You know I've got more Facebook [support] and had more top 10s than him?"
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Asked about Australia's prospects in this year's event in May with Dami Im, Noll wished her well but conceded off-camera "I wouldn't have picked her – I mean have you heard the song?"
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"But I can't be too critical... This year I've done a pop-up gig at Sydney Uni and I'm touring at the moment and I think my next stop is the Terrey Hills Tavern ... so yeah..."
See where Shannon's meteoric journey to Eurovision glory started from its roots at Change.Org here.
At a glance
He's had five top ten albums, including two number-one multi-platinum sellers. Noll's first ten singles all peaked inside the ARIA top ten, including three that reached number one.
He is the only Australian male artist in Australian chart history to have ten consecutive top ten singles. "What About Me" was certified 4× platinum and became the highest selling single of 2004 in Australia.
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