Eurovision Contestants From The Construction Industry

You’ll be surprised how many Eurovision standouts originally came from a construction background!

The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is upon us and there are already a few early favourites to win the competition. However, there are nul points on offer for guessing how many of them came from a construction background. Which is a shame, because a significant number of Eurovision favourites had careers in the industry before ever making it big on a European stage. 

These Eurovision acts might now be defined by their time in music, but many are sure to look back on what they achieved labouring on sites across the continent. 

Sam Ryder - United Kingdom (2022) 

Sam Ryder was the hero that brought Eurovision back to the UK with a second place medal for the song ‘SPACE MAN.’ However, the former busker also has an industry background. 

Ryder worked with his father as a carpenter and spent some time in the construction space. He even worked on New Wembley! It is ironic that some years later, he would headline at the OVO Arena Wembley. 

Luca Hanni - Switzerland (2019) 

In 2019, Switzerland put forward Luca Hänni as their hopeful. After winning German Idol, Hanni would eventually head to Tel Aviv, Israel, to perform ‘She Got Me.’ Hanni came in 4th place. 

However, before finding success in music, Hanni decided to train as a bricklayer. After finishing school, he worked in the trade until he was 17, before winning the singing contest that would change everything. 

Carl Espen - Norway (2014) 

The Norwegian singer represented his nation back in 2014, in Copenhagen, Denmark. He performed the song ‘Silent Storm’ and would finish in 8th place, marking one of the biggest achievements of his career. 

Much like Sam Ryder though, Espen had also explored the world of carpentry. After leaving the military, he became an expert in frames and glass and it seems his love for the craft continues. 

Klemens Hannigan of Hatari - Iceland (2019) 

The techno and punk rock band Hatari were Iceland’s representatives back in Tel Aviv, Israel. They would earn a 10th place standing with the song 'Hatrið mun sigra.'

Klemens Hannigan is the vocalist of the group and graduated from his secondary school with a specialism in furniture making. It seems the career didn’t stick though, as Hannigan continues to tour with the band. 

Konstrakta - Serbia (2022) 

Back in Turin, Italy, in 2022, Serbia sent one of their most iconic performances to date. Konstrakta, as she is professionally known, performed the memorable ‘In Corpore Sano,’ a song she has since performed at Eurovision again. 

While Konstrakta, real name Ana Đurić, might have achieved 5th place, she always had another career to fall back on. Because Konstrakta is an architect and graduated from the University of Belgrade in the field. 

Bobby G of Bucks Fizz - United Kingdom (1981) 

It wouldn’t be Eurovision without a classic throwback and what better band to highlight than the UK’s winning entry, Bucks Fizz. While they might have won in Dublin, Ireland for ‘Making Your Mind Up,’ Bobby G had to make his mind up about his chosen career path. 

Bobby, originally known as Robert Gubby, had left school at 14 and worked in a range of trades, including construction. His father was a builder and so he set up his own building company, also working in plumbing for much of the 1970s. 

With a new wave of contestants entering Eurovision every year, it’s almost certain that this list will keep on growing!