Punk rock icon Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols is in contention for the Eurovision spot representing Ireland

Dublin — Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon, better known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, is among the musicians battling to represent Ireland at this year’s edition Euro Vision Song Contest, said the broadcaster RTE on Monday. Punk frontman Public Image Ltd’s band will be among six acts in the running to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool in May.

Lyndon’s group, which was first formed after his split from the Sex Pistols in 1978, will go head-to-head in a TV special featuring acts including Dublin quartet Wild Youth.

February’s national competition will be decided by a combination of Irish and international experts and a public vote.

Lyndon, 66, was born in London but his parents are both Irish. His mother was originally from Cork in the south west of the country and his father from Galway on the west coast.

Eurovision is set to be staged in Liverpool in 2023 after Britain finished second behind Ukraine in last year’s competition. Usually, the winner of the competition holds the event the following year, but the organizers decided that Ukraine would not be able to host it due to the Russian invasion in February.

public image ltd has announced that she will be performing an emotional tribute, written by Lyndon, to his wife Nora, of almost 50, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

The other acts participating in the RTE-TV special, competing against Public Image Ltd and Wild Youth are singer-songwriter ADGY, hip-hop and rap duo K Muni & ND, songwriter Connolly and the indie pop -Singer-songwriter Leila Jane.