Eurovision hero Sam Ryder prepares for The Queen’s mammoth Platinum Jubilee celebration

Sam Ryder‘s ascent continued on Thursday as the increasingly popular singer attended an early morning rehearsal ahead of his performance at The Queen‘s star-studded Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

The former Essex café owner, 32, has become a household name after ending years of British mediocrity at the Eurovision Song Contest in May, where he finished in an impressive second place behind eventual winners Ukraine.   

His unlikely triumph has since assured him a place onstage at Buckingham Palace on Saturday, when thousands will gather on the Mall and millions across the country will honour The Queen’s 70th year as head of the British monarchy. 

He will join an array of star performers at the extravaganza, among them Sir Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Ella Eyre and indie rockers Elbow. Pop veteran Sir Elton John will also entertain fans with a pre-recorded performance. 

Getting ready: Sam Ryder’s ascent continued on Thursday as the singer attended an early morning rehearsal ahead of his performance at The Queen’s star-studded Platinum Jubilee celebrations

The ponytailed singer was seen preparing for his live performance alongside the iconic Queen Victoria Memorial, which sits adjacent to the palace gates and serves as a commemoration of Queen Victoria’s death in 1901.   

Ryder recently admitted he was still ‘speechless’ over his success after being invited to perform at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Party. 

Joining This Morning co-hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield at the Palace in May, the singer was visibly emotional as he attempted to describe the ‘unreal’ opportunity. 

He said: ‘I’m so happy and so grateful for the opportunity, I’m a bit speechless, it’s just wicked to experience something like that and be invited I couldn’t be happier.’

Speaking of his experience on Eurovision, he added: ‘I’ve been singing a long time and most of that time has been to empty rooms but it never affected the joy that singing the music brought me, I was already fulfilled. 

‘Eurovision is about solidarity and shining a light into darkness, countless times when we have been in turmoil, music is the first thing we turn to.’

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Stewart’s on stage: Sir Rod Stewart rehearsed on the purpose built outdoor Buckingham Palace stage on Wednesday

Flying the flag: As the proud son of Scottish parents Rod donned a navy and red plaid blazer for the sound check as his image was projected onto huge television screens

Getting ready: Singer Ella Eyre was also seen in the midst of preparations for the star-studded Jubilee show

Legends: Singer Guy Garvey of indie band Elbow was seen rehearsing with a small orchestra outside Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon 

Proud Penny: Sir Rod’s gorgeous wife Penny, 51, shared a snap to her Instagram stories as they posed in front of the palace’s icon iron gates

He wears it well: The singer was seen fixing his famous spiky hairstyle during rehearsals on Wednesday afternoon 

On Wednesday Sir Rod Stewart was busy in rehearsals s he belted out some of his famous tunes on one of the impressive stages that been erected outside the Queen’s London residence. 

In tribute to his Scottish father,  the singer donned a navy and red plaid blazer for the sound check as his image was projected onto huge television screens.

He layered the jacket over a crisp white shirt and skinny jeans completing the look with a stylish beige cravat as he perfected his moves for Saturday’s show. 

Rod’s gorgeous wife Penny, 51, later shared a snap to her Instagram stories as they posed in front of the palace’s icon iron gates. 

Here we go: A small crowd gathered as he rehearsed alongside the iconic Queen Victoria Memorial, which sits adjacent to the palace gates and serves as a commemoration of Queen Victoria’s death in 1901

Getting involved: Ryder will join an array of star performers at the extravaganza, among them Sir Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Ella Eyre and indie rockers Elbow. Pop veteran Sir Elton John will also entertain fans with a pre-recorded performance

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Delighted: Ryder recently admitted he was still ‘speechless’ over his success after being invited to perform at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Party

Well done:  The former Essex café owner, 32, has become a household name after ending years of British mediocrity at the Eurovision Song Contest in May, where he finished in an impressive second place behind eventual winners Ukraine

A frail looking Elton John, 75, was previously spotted using a wheelchair ahead of his pre-recorded performance, to be transmitted during Saturday’s show.

The singer was sporting one of his trademark Gucci tracksuits and wore a face mask when arrived at Leipzig Airport in a wheelchair on Friday, before heading home to Nice in the south of France. 

Queen and Adam Lambert will open the BBC‘s Platinum Party At The Palace concert on Saturday evening, 20 years after guitarist Brian May performed God Save The Queen on the Buckingham Palace roof during the 2002 Golden Jubilee.

Brian said: ‘Twenty years after playing the Queen’s glorious Golden Jubilee we’re very happy to be invited again. Then there was a moment when I wondered.. after Buckingham Palace roof where can you go? Well… you will see!’

All stars: The line-up will also include Diana Ross, Queen and Andrea Bocelli (Queen Elizabeth II pictured at her Official Platinum Jubilee Celebration this month)

Helping hand: This comes after a frail looking Elton John was spotted using a wheelchair ahead of his pre-recorded performance that will be transmitted during Saturday’s show

A large stage with 15 high-tech spotlights has been build in front of the famous marble and bronze Victoria memorial monument ahead of the forthcoming show. 

The line-up will also include musical performances from Duran Duran, Bond composer Hans Zimmer, Craig David, Mabel and George Ezra, while Sir David Attenborough, Emma Raducanu, David Beckham, Stephen Fry, Dame Julie Andrews, The Royal Ballet and Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds will all make appearances.

The event will conclude with a performance by soul legend Diana Ross – her first UK live performance in 15 years.

She said: ‘I have had the honour of meeting the Queen many times throughout my life, including when I was with my family.

‘Her Majesty has and continues to be such an incredible inspiration to so many across the world and I was absolutely delighted to receive an invitation to perform on such a momentous and historic occasion.’

Born to perform: Queen + Adam Lambert will open the BBC’s Platinum Party At The Palace concert (pictured February 2020)

Making history: It will come 20 years after guitarist Brian May performed God Save The Queen on Buckingham Palace’s roof during a show marking the Golden Jubilee in 2002

Taking to the stage: Both Alicia Keys and Andrea Bocelli are set perform on stage at the gig

Back on stage: The event will conclude with a performance by soul legend Diana Ross – her first UK live performance in 15 years

The evening will highlight global themes that have emerged or evolved during the the Queen’s reign including British and Commonwealth contributions in the fields of fashion, sport, the environment, pop music and musicals.

The latter section will be curated by Andrew Lloyd Webber and feature a special appearance by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda plus performances featuring the casts of The Phantom Of The Opera, Hamilton, Six, The Lion King and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Coverage will be led by Kirsty Young and Roman Kemp with 22,000 people attending, with 10,000 tickets allocated in a public ballot and 7,500 for key workers, members of the Armed Forces, volunteers and charity workers.

Ready your highness: London has been getting ready for the celebrations with streams of Union Jack bunting