This evening, leading British newspaper The Sun has exclusively revealed that the United Kingdom’s Eurovision broadcaster, the BBC, is “in talks” with last year’s The X Factor runner-up Saara Aalto. It has been a dream of Saara’s for many years to sing at Eurovision, competing in Finland’s national selection twice – in 2011 and 2016.

“Bosses are pulling out all the stops”

Just last week, Dan Wootton, The Sun‘s showbiz journalist, exclusively revealed that Saara had left her contract with Sony to sign a new recording deal with the Warner Music Group. Therefore, whilst The Sun have a somewhat unreliable track record with their journalism, this potentially gives added reliability to his claims this evening.

In tonight’s report, Wootton reveals that the BBC and Saara have been “in talks” in regards to next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon. In the exclusive interview, Saara says:

“There have been talks with the BBC, they really want me to do it. I love Eurovision so I have been searching for the right opportunity to be part of it. It’s just whether I should do it for the UK or Finland or some other country. But the UK is my home now. It would be quite fun, Eurovision has always been a dream of mine.”

Would Saara compete in You Decide?

Wootton goes on to explain that Saara would have “one hurdle” to her selection as UK representative – having to take part in the BBC’s Eurovision selection show You Decide. Another hurdle could perhaps be Saara’s commitments to X Factor Suomi, the live shows of which are due to air next Spring. It remains to be seen whether these talks will turn into something more.

Next week, Saara will be making a special musical announcement which could contain details of a brand new single or even an album. We shall wait and see! Listen to her most recent single, and her 2016 UMK entry, No Fear, below.

Would you like to see Saara represent the United Kingdom next year? Do you think these reports have substance to them? Let us know in the comments below!