UK's Eurovision entrant James Newman 'focusing on the positives' after nil points disaster

The UK's Eurovision 2021 entrant has said he is "focusing on the positives" following Saturday night's zero points performance.

James Newman finished last in the contest, with his song Embers the only one to score zero points from both the judges' and public votes.

But he wrote about learning to "pick himself up and be stronger" as he thanked the team behind the song that he "wrote and loved".

Read more: Bill Bailey throws his hat in the ring for Eurovision 2022

Newman, 35, had been quiet on social media since the contest disaster, but reflected on what had gone wrong in a Twitter post on Monday morning.

Watch: Moment UK scored zero points in Eurovision

He wrote: "I want to focus on the positives of this amazing experience. I stood on a stage and sang to hundreds of millions of people with a song that I wrote and love.

"I've learnt so much from the amazing people who gave everything to help me live my dream, the dancers, my choreographer, my vocal coach, everyone from my label, my manager and the BBC and all the people behind the scenes at Eurovision and the arena.

"All these people are the best in the business and I got the chance to work with them and share this crazy experience that I'm so lucky to have the chance to do."

He continued: "The thing about writing songs is that there is no guarantee that a song you think will connect with people, will connect with an audience.

"Thank you to all the amazing dedicated fans who have supported me through the whole thing made it worth it. Because at the end of the day they are the people who you do this all for.

"I just want to say a huge massive thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has been on this journey with me, supported me, listened to my music, and filled my life with positivity and love.

"The times when it doesn't play out how you hoped it might, teach you how to pick yourself up and be stronger x"

Newman, who was praised for his good-humoured reaction to the scoring, received supportive messages from fans who encouraged him to keep his chin up.

The contest in Rotterdam, for which Newman had been preparing for over two years after the 2020 competition was cancelled due to coronavirus, was won by Italian band Maneskin.

Since the result, Bill Bailey and Katie Price have both offered to lead a victorious UK entry at Eurovision 2022.

Watch: Italian Eurovision winner to take drug test