Former Eurovision Producer Christer Björkman has admitted that a Swedish victory at next month’s contest would tempt him back to Europe. 

Björkman is currently in the USA producing the inaugural edition of the American Song Contest (ASC). 

Speaking in an exclusive, feature length interview just days after the second ASC show, Björkman said that if Cornelia Jakobs triumphs in Turin he would be tempted to return to the producing role he has held on two previous occasions. 

“You know what? This shit is a poison,” Björkman laughed. 

“You can never get rid of it. Once you have it in your body it’s there to stay and you always have to fight it. It’s like an addiction. 

“So would I be tempted? Yes, of course I would be tempted. I love to produce Eurovision. I’ve produced the contest five times and the full show twice so bring it on.” 

Björkman first produced Eurovision in 2013 when the contest was hosted in Malmö following Loreen’s victory 12 months earlier. He returned in 2016 when Stockholm played host to the contest. 

Thoughts on Melfest without him

As well as having experience producing Eurovision Björkman was also in charge of Sweden’s selection show Melodifestivalen for two decades. 

He stood down after a successful campaign in 2021 which saw the competition take place without an audience due to the pandemic. 

Asked about Melfest this year, Björkman said: “I mean, musically I think they did a good job. 

“I liked the mix [of songs]. I think it was a brilliant selection when we got to the final. It had a great variety. It had three songs in Swedish which was really good. It was not that they felt that they were there only because they were Swedish. They were actually very, very good. 

“I think they did a really good job. They had some troubles along the way, especially with the voting but that’s technical. Shit happens. That would’ve happened even if I was there so there’s no judgement in that. I think it was good. 

“I love the winner. I really do. I think she’s so good.”

Image credit – SVT