Sam Ryder's team have been recruited to lead the search for the UK's Eurovision Song Contest entry next year.

The 35-year-old singer gave the nation its best result in the annual competition for 24 years in 2022 as he finished runner-up with his song 'Space Man' and his manager David May has been tapped by the BBC in an attempt recreate the success as Britain has slipped back towards the bottom of the leaderboard in the subsequent years.

May - a leading figure in the music industry - is at the forefront of the search for a UK entry for next year's contest that is being held in Basel, Switzerland and is said to be keen to get a "diverse" act to perform as it has been more than decade since a non-white artist represented Britain at the event.

A music insider told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column: "The UK has some of the best musical talent in the world and they are trawling that to find someone from a more diverse background who can put in a great performance.

"There is a key focus on finding a performer who can deliver a powerhouse vocal every time on stage. There is no room for a pitchy singer this time around.

"The song is very important too, so there are lots of things to consider. But David is throwing himself into the challenge."

The BBC has confirmed that the identity of next year's UK entry will be revealed before next March and David has expressed excitement at his involvement.

He said: 'I'm excited to be working with BBC Studios and the BBC on this journey. We're seeking talent and a song that embodies the essence of UK music.

"We want to collaborate with an authentic act who has a genuine, heartfelt story to tell, and an unmatched vocal tonality and range.

"Ultimately we're looking for a powerful three-minute performance that resonates with and moves audiences across Europe and beyond."