DR, the Danish national broadcaster, have confirmed that Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021 will be an open selection.

The decision taken by DR means that Ben & Tan, who won Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020 and were due to represent Denmark in Eurovision 2020 prior to its cancellation, will not get an automatic spot in the final. The pair had previously spoken about their hope to be invited back to the final of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021. Further discussions about Dansk Melodi Grand Prix will take place after the coronavirus pandemic has passed.

DR also confirmed today that it would be showing “Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light” on May 16. Denmark is the eighth country to confirm that they will broadcast the show, alongside Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. Jan Lagermand Lundme, Entertainment Editor for DR, commented:

“I understand well if it’s been a mixed game for Ben & Tan and the people behind ‘Yes’. I’m glad that with the EBU’s great Eurovision program, we bring the song to life throughout Europe and get Ben & Tan out to viewers and fans across Europe.”

“Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light” will be broadcast live across Europeand will be hosted by Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit. The show will pay tribute to the 41 acts who had been due to compete in Eurovision 2020 and feature past Eurovision participants. The show will also look at the people of Europe affected by the coronavirus and aid workers who are fighting this crisis.

Ben & Tan were due to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song “Yes”.

Source: DR

Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest Denmark debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957 alongside Austria and the United Kingdom. To date Denmark has won the contest on three occasions, the first being in 1963 when Grethe & Jorgen Ingmann performed “Dansevise”. Denmark won the contest again in 2000 represented by the Olsen Brothers, their most recent victory came in 2013 when Emmelie de Forest performed “Only Teardrops”. Denmark failed to qualify for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 and 2016.