Gunna Dís has been confirmed as the next Eurovision commentator for RÚV after Gísli Marteinn stepped down.
Icelandic broadcaster RÚV has revealed that Guðrún Dís Emilsdóttir will step into the commentary booth this year to commentate on the Eurovision Song Contest. Gunna Dís has several years of experience in both television and radio as a producer.
Gunna Dís said:
I have followed Eurovision from a young age and am fascinated by the cultural diversity that the competition shows. I realize that I am taking on this job under challenging circumstances. There have been different opinions about this year’s competition, and all of these opinions are fully justified. I’m on my way to Malmö on behalf of RÚV and I’m going to do my best to describe what’s going to happen on the big stage in May.
The news follows reports that Gísli Marteinn Baldursson, who had been the Icelandic commentator since 2003, stepped away from the role due to “the Israeli advance in Gaza and the competition’s reaction to it, or lack of reaction”, according to RÚV.
Representing Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest this year is Hera Björk and her song “Scared of Heights”.
Who is Hera Björk?
Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir was born on 29 March 1972 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Hera began her music career in 1986, and has since gone on to release four albums, one soundtrack, and numerous singles.
Hera is no stranger to the Eurovision Song Contest, having represented Iceland at the 2010 contest with “Je ne sais quoi”. She finished in 19th place with 41 points. She also performed as a backing singer for Iceland at the contest in 2008, 2009, and 2015, and finished 2nd in the Danish selection in 2009.
Source: RÚV | Image source: RÚV – Ragnar Visage
Iceland debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1986 and, aside from 2 years of relegation in 1998 and 2002, has participated every year since. The contest is incredibly popular in Iceland, regularly being one of the most-watched programs of the year. Iceland has yet to win the contest but has finished in 2nd on two occasions. In 1999, Selma missed out on victory in Jerusalem by 17 points, and in 2009 Yohanna became the most successful Icelandic entrant ever finishing 2nd in the final with the song “Is it True?”. She scored 218 points, yet still finished 169 points behind the runaway winner Norway.
