Olly Alexander's mum praises 'heartwarming' support

Olly Alexander's mum has said the support his home town has thrown behind him is "heartwarming".

While 160 million people across the world are expected to tune in to see him perform his entry "Dizzy" at the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, the people of Coleford in Gloucestershire will be cheering him on as loudly as anyone.

Alexander's mum, Vicki Thornton, and best friend Joe, are in Malmo to support him.

But they say they haven't spent much time with him, as he has been in a "bubble" leading up to the final.

Vicki still lives in Coleford, the Forest of Dean market town where Alexander grew up.

The former Years & Years frontman and It's A Sin actor attended St John's CofE Academy in Coleford, where current pupils and his former teachers have been cheering him on.

The town centre has also been decorated, with residents posing with a cardboard cutout of Alexander and sending him messages of support.

Speaking to BBC Points West, Joe said: "I was watching some of your news stories the other day, going back to our old primary school, and it was lovely to see.

"It's amazing how much the town has rallied around him."

Meanwhile, Vicki, who had her nails painted with "Dizzy" emblems at a local nail salon, said of Coleford's support: "It's so heartwarming and it means a lot, it really, really does.

"Olly's been touched by the support the whole town's given, it's fantastic."

The pair went out to dinner with Olly and his manager on Thursday, but say the star has mostly rehearsing and performing since then.

Regarding Saturday night's performance, Vicki said of her son: "He's ready, he's ready."

"I think he's healthily nervous but he's such a star," Joe added.

"He's such a good performer, and the staging is epic. He's going to smash it."

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.