Sam Ryder on the red carpet for Platinum Jubilee at the Palace

• Sam Ryder spoke ahead of his performance at the Jubilee celebration tonight.
• He was grateful and ecstatic to be a part of a huge performance.

 Runner-up in the Eurovision Song Contest Sam Ryder spoke ahead of his performance at the Jubilee celebration tonight.

“I was singing in the corner of my shed two years ago, having no idea what would happen,” Ryder added.

“I’m just grateful and ecstatic to be a part of something like this,” he says.

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“In a world and a life that finds so many ways to tear us apart, we’re celebrating something right now that brings everyone together and makes everyone happy.”

“It means a great deal to my family – especially my granddad,” he remarked. He added that he carries his Uncle’s Union Jack with him.

He continued with, “A whole life of service and reminding us all the time that strength can be gentle, it can be patient and kind and inclusive.”

It was the highest honor for him to perform tonight.

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