Eurovision icon Johnny Logan has issued a scathing critique of RTÉ regarding their approach to selecting Ireland’s entries for the renowned song contest.

Logan, who holds the unique distinction of winning the Eurovision Song Contest three times, expressed strong disapproval of the current method used to choose Ireland’s contenders.

He achieved victory twice as a performer with “What’s Another Year” in 1980 and “Hold Me Now” in 1987.

Additionally, Logan secured another win as the songwriter for Linda Martin’s successful entry “Why Me?” in 1992.

During an event in Ashbourne, County Meath, where a statue was unveiled in his honor, Logan shared his thoughts with the Irish Mail on Sunday, stating, “It’s completely lost its way.”

He lamented, “We used to have a big TV show with an orchestra and a real audience. Now, it’s tucked away on The Late Late Show.”

HERE’S JOHNNY: Not once, twice, but THREE times the winner!  

Johnny Logan has won Eurovision more times than anyone in the contest’s history, twice as a singer, and again as a songwriter. Here’s how:

Johnny Logan (left) holds aloft the 1980 Eurovision trophy in The Hague. The song’s composer, Shay Healy, is to his right 

1980 The Hague, Netherlands

Song: What’s Another Year

Singer: Johnny Logan

Composer: Shay Healy

1987 Brussels, Belgium

Song: Hold Me Now

Singer: Johnny Logan

Composer: Johnny Logan

Linda Martin and Johnny Logan win Eurovision  in Malmo with Why Me

1992 Malmo, Sweden

Song: Why Me?

Singer: Linda Martin

Composer: Johnny Logan

‘The people that they have choosing [the entry], they don’t know music, I don’t think, these days. 

‘I know Michael Keeley, who picks the songs for the final, but beyond that I don’t know who picks the songs that go forward. 

‘Beyond that, nobody has any input apart from the people on RTÉ.’

However, the singer said he fully supports RTÉ’s decision not to take part in this year’s Eurovision due to Israel’s participation.

The now 71-year-old performer revealed he turned down a string of high–profile appearances this year in solidarity with the move.

‘I agreed with the Irish decision to leave the Eurovision this year,’ he said. 

‘The Austrian Eurovision team came to me and asked me to do the guest spot, and I just said “I couldn’t do that”.

‘I’d already said no, so I’m agreeing with the Irish decision. It would have been wrong to do anything else or not stick to my word.’

Logan was speaking during a special night of celebration for the man known locally as Seán Sherrard. 

Throngs of fans and well–wishers had gathered in the Meath town he has called home for the past 47 years.

Long–time friend Linda Martin also made a surprise appearance on the night to show her appreciation for the man who wrote her own winning Eurovision song.

‘Linda never told me she was coming. She just turns up and she’s lovely,’ said Logan.

‘We’ve been friends since the showband days.

‘As a performer, she was always one of the most professional people I’ve ever worked with. Ever.’

Logan was characteristically self–deprecating about seeing himself immortalised in his home town.

‘It’s a kind of weird thing because, you know, I’m very honoured that they did it,’ he said, glancing at the statue.

He added, ‘At the same time, there’s this kind of thing in the back of your head, call it imposter syndrome.

‘How do you find people, and how are you grateful, without your ego getting involved in all of that?’

Logan, who turns 72 next month, said he has no plans to hang up the microphone, or his trademark white suit, anytime soon.

Johnny Logan after winning the Eurovision Song Contest again, this time in Brussels in 1987 with his song Hold Me Now, which went on to become a hit

Linda Martin wins the Eurovision song contest in Stockholm back in 1992 with the song Why Me, which was written by her good friend, the two-time Eurovision winner Johnny Logan

Singer Johnny Logan and his wife Tanja Surmann back in December 2017

Musicians Linda Martin and Johnny Logan at an event in Ashbourne, Co.Meath in April 2026 where a new statue honouring the three-time winning Eurovision legend was unveiled

He is collaborating with Austrian star Andreas Gabalier on a new track called Whiskey And Wine and continues to tour and play to large crowds across Europe. 

However, he said his focus now is firmly on his own music.

‘Next month, I’m 72 years old. I want to do my own thing for whatever I’ve left in my career.

‘A lot of the stuff that I write is written from life experience. It’s all about just being happy with the life you had, and not wishing you were somebody else.’