Firsts with Sam Ryder: My first paid job, the poster on my wall and my debut live performance

Virgin Radio

4 Sep 2023, 14:00

Eurovision star Sam Ryder stopped by to reminisce on Virgin Radio Firsts. 

When Sam swung by the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with cinch recently to talk about The National Lottery’s United by Music tour, he also took the time to tell Virgin Radio about the first record he bought, the first job he got paid for, and the first thing he did when he went to number one.

He told us about the first poster on his wall, the first gig he went to, his debut TikTok post, and playing alongside a music legend.

Check out Sam Ryder’s firsts here: 

First record you bought?

Technically I didn't buy it. I found it on a bus, but it was Iron Maiden’s Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. It’s still one of my favourite albums of all time. 

First live performance?

I think it was technically a school assembly, singing Reach [by] S Club 7. I did not nail it!

First job that you got paid for?

It was a paper round. Luckily, I lived in a tiny little… it's not even a village… it’s a hamlet, basically, so it wouldn't take me that long. But pretty dangerous country roads. I'm glad to be off the bike now. 

First thing you did when you went to number one? 

Buy myself a Lego Millennium Falcon!

First concert you went to?

Sum 41 at Wembley Arena. I remember thinking that Wembley Arena would be a lot smaller than it was. I was kind of expecting a school assembly situation actually, because that was my live performance experience at that time. But, yeah, a lot bigger! But it was still amazing. 

First poster on your bedroom wall?

This is going to be a bit embarrassing. It was a Rachel Stevens poster. Embarrassing because I met her, and I still got nervous meeting her, like, recently. I was blushing. I was with my partner and it was awkward. But she's fabulous and fantastic. And I'm going to stop talking! 

Your first TikTok?

I think it was singing Britney Spears’ Hit Me Baby One More Time as high as I could in my mum's kitchen. And yeah, it all went nuts from there.

The first time you performed alongside Brian May?

I can't believe I'm saying this one, actually. The first time I played along with Sir Brian May, the absolute legend, was Wembley Stadium, for the amazing Taylor Hawkins tribute concert. It was like a church that night. We celebrated the life of that hero. Loudly.

While at Virgin Radio, Sam also chatted to Chris Evans about being ‘fully welcomed’ into the Ted Lasso team. Read about it here.