Nicky Byrne, best known as a member of the beloved Irish pop group Westlife, is returning to the Eurovision spotlight—this time, in a different role. Nearly a decade after representing Ireland with his debut solo single Sunlight, the singer is set to appear in the 2025 Eurovision Grand Final as the presenter of Ireland’s jury votes.
Byrne’s 2016 Eurovision performance in Stockholm, Sweden marked an important moment in his solo career. With Sunlight, a track he co-wrote and described as a hopeful love song about embracing new beginnings, he aimed to bring a fresh and uplifting energy to the contest. Although his performance drew praise for its energy and charisma, the song unfortunately didn’t make it past the semi-final round, placing 15th with 46 points—an outcome many fans still consider a snub.
The memory of that performance remains strong among Eurovision fans. In fact, a recent clip of Nicky’s high-energy 2016 stage appearance shared by RTÉ on Instagram reignited conversations online. In the video, a then 35-year-old Byrne rocks a red leather jacket, black jeans, and a confident smile as he delivers the chorus with passion, interacting with the cheering crowd and ending with a powerful pose. Fans quickly filled the comments with admiration, calling the song “underrated” and insisting he was “robbed” of a well-deserved spot in the finals.
Now 46, Byrne returns not as a contestant, but as a trusted figure in the Eurovision community. He’ll represent Ireland by announcing the jury’s vote during the Grand Final broadcast—an important part of the show that connects each country’s musical voice to the larger competition. While he won’t be singing this time around, his presence is a welcome one, especially to fans who’ve long appreciated his Eurovision effort and charisma.
Though Sunlight didn’t achieve the competitive success he had hoped for, Nicky has never wavered in his belief in the song. At the time of its release, he described it as a “love song” built on the idea of hope and renewal—“tomorrow is a new day,” he explained, “and the sunlight shining on your face at the start of any new day should make you smile, be fresh, and begin again.” With his upcoming return, it feels like that message has come full circle.
