SETTLE born Eurovision Song Contest hopeful James Newman scored nil points in last night’s competition but took defeat in good humour, drinking beer and standing up to applause when the results were announced.

The competition, which was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after the show was cancelled in 2020, was won by Italy with rock band Maneskin’s Zitti E Buoni.

James scored zero points from both the jury and from the public vote, the only entry on the night to score no points at all, and only the second UK act to perform so badly in 60 years of the contest.

He however took the defeat in good humour, drinking a beer and standing up to applause from the live audience of 3,500 people in the arena.

James, the older brother of pop star, John Newman,had hoped to win over viewers with his rendition of upbeat track Embers, which was inspired by the end of lockdown.

Settle schoolchildren posted a good luck video to James ahead of the competition and he received many messages of support on social media from people across North Craven.

His mum, Jacquie Newman, tweeted following the result: ‘A winner above all others’.

Famous fans of the contest were also quick to send Newman their support.

Great British Bake Off star Matt Lucas tweeted: “We love you James Newman.” BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker wrote: “Wowsers #NilPoints. “Well done James Newman for laughing it off. “Only way to respond to a spectacular Europe-wide boot in the bits.”

Singer Tom Grennan wrote: “JAMES NEWMAN IS A TOP LAD” and Drag Race star Michelle Visage said: “I am sending this tweet to James Newman and James only. You were INCREDIBLE.”

On stage after the band’s victory, Maneskin frontman Damiano David shouted into the microphone: “We just wanted to say to the whole of Europe, to the whole world, rock and roll never dies.”

Singer-songwriter James, 35, is the older brother of John, 30, whose hit songs include Love Me Again.

James revealed his sibling, who has performed around the world with the likes of Calvin Harris, told him to enjoy the big day.

Speaking before the competition during a welcome reception hosted by Joanna Roper, the UK’s ambassador to the Netherlands, James said: “Obviously we speak all the time, he’s like, ‘you’ve just got to enjoy every minute of it’.

James has previously worked with acts including Rudimental and Ed Sheeran. He was originally set to be the UK’s Eurovision entry last year before the event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

For the 2021 competition James has replaced ballad My Last Breath with the bouncier Embers.