Earlier today, Moldovan broadcaster TRM invited Ovidiu Anton to accompany Lidia Isac on the Eurovision stage, with the intent of singing “Falling Stars” together as a duet. The Romanian rocker, who was abruptly removed from the contest earlier this week when Romania was kicked out of the EBU, politely declined the invitation.

In an official press release, TRM expressed its solidarity with the artist and the Romanian broadcaster following the unprecedented decision to expel Romania from the contest.

We stand with the entire team of TVR and we regret that we will no longer share the same experience and support each other, on account of our common cultural background and values. […] We invite Ovidiu Anton to perform alongside Moldova’s representative Lidia Isac. We are convinced that together the two can make an exceptional duet for the song “Falling Stars” at Semifinal 1 of Eurovision on 10 May. Obviously, at this advanced stage, the show would need to be changed and the organiser of the contest would have to approve. We hope that, if they work together, they will manage to overcome this crisis situation. We also would like invite Ovidiu Anton in Chisinau on 14 May. The Moldovan capital will host an open air Eurovision concert, followed by the broadcast of the ESC 2016 final. The event will be covered live by our national TV channel Moldova 1.

Ovidiu Anton took to Facebook to respond to the neighbours’ invite:

I bow in front of our Moldovan brethren. It is an extraordinary, unique, and noble gesture. Because I know how much work goes into preparing such a moment and because I know how important Eurovision is for an artist’s career, I would not want to affect Lidia’s performance, in which she invested so much energy. The song matches her beautifully and, however much I want to be on the stage that I have dreamed of, I cannot accept to do it by risking another artist’s chance. I would like to perform “Moment Of Silence” for Romanians and Eurovision fans everywhere. Good luck, Lidia! It is your moment and you are going to shine! Thank you all once again for this special gesture. I will never forget.

What do you think about TRM reaching out to Ovidiu Anton? Would you have liked to see him perform “Falling Stars” with Lidia or do you agree that the song does not match his style?

Watch our video coverage of Ovidiu Anton

Lidia Isac performs “Falling Stars” in Tel Aviv

Lidia Isac talks “Falling Stars” in Tel Aviv