Boy George has launched an unexpected bid to compete at Eurovision 2026, though the Culture Club frontman will not be flying the flag for Britain.
Instead, the 64-year-old pop star is believed to be seeking to represent the tiny republic of San Marino at this year's contest in Vienna.
He has partnered with Italian vocalist Senhit on a track called Superstar, which they believe could secure victory.
The duo have automatically qualified for San Marino's national selection finals, scheduled for March 6 at Teatro Nuovo in Dogana, where they will face nine other acts vying for the country's Eurovision spot.
Boy George could go up against the UK at Eurovision
| PASenhit is no stranger to the Eurovision stage, having represented San Marino at the 2011 contest in Düsseldorf and returning a decade later to perform Adrenalina featuring Flo Rida at the Rotterdam grand final in 2021, where she finished 22nd.
Sources close to the San Marino delegation have expressed delight at attracting such a prominent artist.
"San Marino's team are thrilled they have managed to get Boy George to put himself forward. It's quite the coup," an insider revealed.
"Getting such a big name to represent them would be an incredible moment. It would be such a big moment for San Marino."
Boy George may be taking to the stage as San Marino's representative
| PAMeanwhile, Britain's hopes at the Vienna contest rest with Sam Battle, the indie-electronic musician and YouTube creator who performs under the stage name LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER.
BBC bosses are hoping he can deliver the nation's first Eurovision triumph since Katrina and The Waves claimed victory with Love Shine A Light in 1997.
Mr Battle has spoken of his enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating: "I have always been a massive Eurovision fan and I love the magical joy it brings to millions of people every year, so getting to join that legacy and fly the flag for the UK is an absolute honour that I am taking very seriously."
His song remains under wraps for now and is set to be unveiled later this year.
Eurovision 2025 winner JJ hails from Austria
| GETTYLATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, following Switzerland's JJ winning last year's grand final in Basel with Wasted Love.
However, the anniversary celebrations face significant disruption amid a growing boycott over Israel's continued participation in the competition.
Five nations have pulled out of this year's event in protest: Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia.
Should Boy George and Senhit triumph in San Marino's selection, the singer would rank among the most famous contestants in Eurovision's seven-decade history.
Boy George might be going to #Eurovision…
— sᴜᴘᴇʀ ᴛᴠ (@superTV247) February 26, 2026
Senhit, who represented San Marino in 2021 with Flo Rida, is a finalist in the countries selection once again — with a song featuring Boy George. pic.twitter.com/T4HpltHOZX
Meanwhile, the Culture Club frontman hit headlines earlier this month after locking horns with a fellow '80s pop star in a disagreement over trans rights.
On X, Boy George publicly criticised singer Marilyn after he shared a social media post criticising a well-known and divisive trans activist.
Boy George called Marilyn a "right-wing nut job" for levelling criticism at the activist.
In the video shared by Marilyn, the activist is shown publicly calling out staff at restaurants for misgendering them.
Oh Marilyn, why are you siding with hideous transphobes? It's all kids of sad and disappointing. If you see someone who isn't pulling off the feminine look to your satisfaction and you get a kick of calling them 'sir' then you are just being cruel. Those who haven't quite got the…
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) February 16, 2026
Marilyn penned: "Is there ANYONE who can’t see what’s going on here?? The self-satisfied look of smugness is from someone who is apparently assured that they will get precisely what they’re looking for!!
"Making money from other people’s intentionally caused discomfort & embarrassment is NOT cute!" (sic)
Boy George hit back: "Oh Marilyn, why are you siding with hideous transphobes? It's all kids of sad and disappointing.
"If you see someone who isn't pulling off the feminine look to your satisfaction and you get a kick of calling them 'sir' then you are just being cruel.
"Those who haven't quite got the feminine touch are the ones you need to hug. You should be ashamed of yourself. Right wing nut job." (sic)