Brian May hails Sam Ryder for ‘smashing’ New Year’s gig as he’s named ‘national treasure’ | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV

Brian May, 75, heiled the former Eurovision contestant’s New Year’s Eve concert as a “tour de force”. Sam Ryder, 33, wowed viewers across the country after they tuned in to watch Sam Ryder Rocks New Years Eve on BBC One, with some people even branding him a “national treasure”. 

Last night, Sam put on a show that even rivalled BBC Two’s prestigious Annual Hootenanny from Jools Holland, joining the likes of former Spice Girl Mel C, Sigrid and House Gospel Choir for an energetic, jam-packed night of music. 

The star, who came second representing Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest last year, was also joined on stage by The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins.

Brian decided to give Sam a well-earned shout-out in view of his 3.1 million Instagram followers. 

“Our buddy Sam Ryder totally smashing it on the (our old!) New Year spot,” Brian wrote in reference to his Queen days. 

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Esther Beadle wrote: “Can we have Sam Ryder due NYE every year? He’s bloody brilliant, amazing set list, obviously has cracking music taste and it’s the purest level of joy you need going into a new year. (These things are normally sh*** but this is just WONDERFUL).” (sic) 

While Rich Williams penned: “Sam Ryder has become the fastest person ever to gain national treasure status.”

Tom Campbell added: “@SamRyderMusic is having the time of his life on @BBCOne tonight and I can’t help but love him all the more. 

“Watching somebody do what they love with such energy, genuinely living and breathing in the moment, is utterly infectious.”

Dr Janina Ramirez tweeted: “Sam Ryder has just become a national treasure! Well done my man x owning this was not easy and you dominated it. Happy new year and may it have an ounce of his joy.” (sic)