Johnny Logan turns down Eurovision 2026 role in support of Ireland's boycott
- aussievision
- May 2
- 2 min read
Australian-born Eurovision legend Johnny Logan has revealed he turned down multiple offers to be part of Eurovision 2026 in Vienna.
The three-time winner said he had been approached several times to appear at this year’s 70th anniversary Contest but declined in support of Ireland’s boycott.
Speaking on Ireland AM, Johnny said: "I’ve been asked three times, four times to be involved with the Eurovision Song Contest, the actual show this year, and I’ve had to say no because of my support."
He confirmed that decision was tied directly to backing Ireland’s stance.
He said: “I just… I was asked to make my decision. My decision is to support the Irish Government and the Irish television position on this.”
Johnny has been outspoken on the issue more broadly since Ireland chose to boycott Eurovision 2026.
He said: “I really think that what Ireland, what RTÉ, have done is exactly the right thing to do. I support them 100%.”
He also said: “I really feel that in this case, RTÉ definitely made the right decision.”
Addressing criticism of his position, Johnny said: “I’m not antisemitic, and I’m not pro-Hamas or anything like that. Quite the opposite.”
A Eurovision icon with Australian ties
Johnny remains one of Eurovision’s most iconic figures, often dubbed “Mr Eurovision” after winning the contest twice as a performer and once as a songwriter.
He has also appeared at the Contest since, most recently in 2024 as an interval act.
Born in Frankston, Victoria, his Australian connection runs throughout his life and career, with his parents later living in Australia.
He first won in 1980 with What’s Another Year before returning in 1987 to win again with Hold Me Now, which became a major hit in Australia, reaching no.4 and spending 35 weeks in the Top 100.
He later completed a unique hat-trick by writing Linda Martin’s 1992 winning entry Why Me?
After that victory, Johnny sent a message from the stage to his parents watching from Australia, saying: “To my mother and father, who are going to see this in Australia on Monday, I love you.”
Eurovision 2026 controversy continues
Ireland is among five countries to take a stand over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026.
Johnny’s decision adds further weight to the ongoing debate about the nation's participation.
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Hallo zusammen, ich verfolge diesen Blog schon eine Weile und muss sagen, dieser Artikel über Johnny Logan hat mich wirklich zum Nachdenken gebracht. Zuerst einmal, Hut ab für die Art und Weise, wie Sie das Thema Johnny Logan beleuchten – das ist wirklich schön geschrieben und informativ. Ich frage mich allerdings, ob diese ganze Thematik auch für Einsteiger verständlich ist, die sich vielleicht neu mit dem Thema beschäftigen? Ich selbst hatte da anfangs auch meine Schwierigkeiten, aber mittlerweile habe ich wirklich viel dazugelernt. Die Nachricht, dass Johnny Logan eine Rolle beim Eurovision Song Contest ablehnt, um Irland zu unterstützen, ist bemerkenswert. Das wirft für mich persönlich viele Fragen auf, gerade im Hinblick auf die Hintergründe und die strategische Bedeutung dieser…
Absolument fascinant de lire cette actualité sur Johnny Logan et sa décision concernant l'Eurovision 2026. J'apprécie énormément votre analyse détaillée, qui va bien au-delà de la simple information. Cela me rappelle d'ailleurs un projet sur lequel j'ai travaillé il y a quelques années, où une démarche similaire de soutien à une cause était primordiale. La portée de telles prises de position est immense, et je ne manquerai pas d'en discuter autour de moi, car il est important de faire passer le message. Votre texte sur ce sujet est vraiment très bien écrit, et je suis entièrement d'accord avec vos arguments. Il y a une vraie cohérence dans votre raisonnement, et cela donne envie d'en savoir plus. C'est un excellent article,…