SVT, the Swedish national broadcaster, has revealed that Jan Johansen will replace Throsten Flinck in Melodifestivalen 2020.
Thorsten Flinck, who was originally due to take part in the second semi-final of Melodifestivalen, is currently being charged criminally with unlwaful threat and vandalism. As such, SVT took the decision to disqualify him from the contest. While Thorsten is no longer taking part in the contest, his song ”Miraklernas tid” will still be performed in next Saturday’s semi-final in Gothenburg by Jan Johansen.
Jan Johansen has taken part in Melodifestivalen four times. He represented Sweden in Eurovision 1995 with “Se på mig” and finished in third place. He appeared in the interval act of this week’s semi-final, duetting with host Linnea Henriksson.
Karin Gunnarsson, Contest Producer for Melodifestivalen, stated:
“I’m very thankful that Jan has agreed on such short notice. I’m convinced that he will perform a beautiful version of ‘Miraklernas tid'”.
The remaining artists that will take part in semi-final 2 of Melodifestivalen are:
- Klara Hammarström – “Nobody”
- Dotter – “Bulletproof”
- Mendez ft. Alvaro Estrella – “Vamos amigos”
- Linda Bengtzing – “Alla mina sorger”
- Paul Rey – “Talking in my sleep”
- Anna Bergendahl – “Kingdom come”
The remaining Melodifestivalen dates are as follows:
- Semi-Final 2 (Gothenburg) – February 8
- Semi-Final 3 (Luleå) – February 15
- Semi-Final 4 (Malmö) – February 22
- Andra Chansen (Eskilstuna) – February 29
- Final (Stockholm) – March 7
Linnea Henriksson, Lina Hedlund and David Sundin are the hosts of Melodifestivalen 2020. Linnea is a singer/songwriter who rose to fame in 2010 after placing 4th in Idol. Lina is best known for her multiple appearances participating in Meldodifestivalen, the last time being in 2019 with her song “Victorious”. David is an actor and comedian who has also worked on Melodifestivalen in the past as a screenwriter.
Sweden finished 6th at the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Sweden was represented by John Lundvik with the song “Too Late For Love”, and came second in the jury voting with 241 points, but came 9th in the televote with 93 points.
Source: SVT
