UK Eurovision entrant Sam Battle says BBC stress-tested him for pressure

VIENNA — Sam Battle, the UK's Eurovision entrant performing as Look Mum No Computer, says the BBC subjected him to a stress test to ensure he could handle pressure.

The 37-year-old musician remains unfazed by predictions of poor scores for the United Kingdom on Saturday night. "It could go well or completely wrong — I'm just here for the ride," he said. If the result disappoints, he plans a T-shirt reading "Look mum, no points."

Bookmakers list him at 150/1 odds to win. Battle already enjoys a cult following for electro-pop made with homemade synthesizers. His YouTube channel draws 700,000 subscribers who watch him fix vintage cars and church organs with high energy.

He runs a museum of revived audio technology in Ramsgate, Kent. Four weeks ago, he became a father for the first time. "He's a healthy baby boy called Max and I love him very much," Battle said.

He ended up in Vienna by chance. At a pub with friend Johnny, they joked about entering Eurovision. His manager emailed the BBC, which replied by asking for a song.

Impressed, the BBC invited him to a writing camp. He insisted on bringing Kosmo, his custom synthesizer and drum machine that requires six flight cases.

Kosmo inspired his entry, "Eins, Zwei, Drei," a 1980s-style pop song about quitting an office job for a German getaway. While moving a sofa to make room for the synth, Battle counted "Eins, Zwei, Drei." The group finished the track 12 hours later.

The BBC called the next morning, praising its energy and lyrics. They required one final audition "just to show that I am functional as a human being," after which they selected him.

Reporters met Battle during rehearsals at Vienna's Museum of Science and Technology, surrounded by mechanical instruments and synthesizers. He demonstrated a Mellotron used on the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" and a Roland CR-78 drum machine from Blondie's "Heart of Glass."

The curator said, "He'd be a great tour guide. He almost knows more than we do!" Battle offered to write a CV on the spot.

He apologized for his distraction in the museum. Spotting a Eurovision karaoke booth, he sang ABBA's "Waterloo" and Tommy Cash's "Espresso Macchiato" with its choreography.

Battle admits he cannot dance. "I'm literally not a dancer. I've got two left feet," he said. His semi-final performance on Thursday showed him escaping office drudgery into an electronic fairground with dancers in fur-lined TV heads.

He built much of the set, including synthesizer panels. "Many holes were drilled," he said. A car idea was scrapped due to the stage's 500kg prop limit on its glass LED floor.

The UK has struggled at Eurovision, staying out of the top 10 for over 15 years except Sam Ryder's second place in 2022. Public votes gave zero points the last two years.

The BBC prepared him for scrutiny. Battle said semi-finals showed his Marmite act — love it or hate it — might fit. "I always say to expect nothing. Because if you expect nothing, you lose nothing," he added.

After Saturday, he heads home for diaper duty.