Eurovision singer Sam Ryder said it was “amazing” to sing in front of hundreds of fans who flocked to see him perform in a series of homecoming gigs.
Essex-born Ryder, whose track Space Man finished second in the 2022 song contest, performed in Chelmsford on Wednesday morning.
He planned to also perform in Colchester, where he studied as a youngster, and his hometown Maldon in the afternoon.
“It was amazing just coming home and playing places I haven’t played in a long time,” he told BBC Essex.
“Last time I played in Chelmsford, there was no-one there but I still loved it.
“That’s where you learn your craft and earn your stripes and now I’m stood out the front of where I used to flick through old records and vinyls, just singing to people. It’s moving.”
The last-minute performances, announced on Tuesday, come ahead of the launch of Ryder’s new album in October.
Holly Boosey watched the performance with her children [Elliot Deady/BBC]
Holly Boosey travelled with her children from nearby Braintree to watch Ryder.
“He’s an icon and he’s represented our country,” she said as she waited for the singer to arrive in Chelmsford High Street.
“We’re really lucky to come from a county that’s got a lot of talented people, Sam being one of them, Olly Murs being another one.
“It’s amazing that we’ve got a lot of good homegrown people that put Essex on the map for a good reason.”
Sue Nicoll and Sharon Alderton were pleased to be in the city centre for the performance [Elliot Deady/BBC]
Friends Sue Nicoll and Sharon Alderton had not planned to see the performance but were pleased to see a “local boy done good”.
“We were meeting for coffee and I knew Sam Ryder was playing in town so I thought we’d come and have a look,” Ms Nicoll said.
She said she was grateful to Ryder for changing perceptions of Essex people: “It’s more than just white stilettos and there’s a lot of talent in Essex.”
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