Following considerable controversy online, Wild Youth have stated that they will no longer be working with their creative director, Ian Banham, for their Eurovision performance.

In a post online, ESC Discord – a platform dedicated to the Eurovision Song Contest – noted that Banham had posted statements "that severely contradict the values of the Eurovision Song Contest", as well as seeming "contrary to the message of Wild Youth's song 'We Are One'."

"Eurovision celebrates diversity through music," ESC Discord's Twitter thread continued. "However, his remarks related to transphobia and Ukraine (and their victory last year) seem to run contrary to this. We therefore strongly condemn RTÉ for using Mr. Banham as the staging director for this year's Irish entry.

"As a Eurovision media outlet, we try to stay objective toward all participating countries. However, when a person working for a delegation of this contest contradicts the contest's values in the way described above, we do think it's worth sharing."

The account also posted numerous screenshots of Banham's online content.

Eurovision celebrates diversity through music. However, his remarks related to transphobia and Ukraine (and their victory last year) seem to run contrary to this.
We therefore strongly condemn @rte for using Mr. Banham as the staging director for this year's Irish entry. 2/3 pic.twitter.com/87RTYNQYsC

— ESC Discord (@ESCdiscord) April 25, 2023

Wild Youth responded to the allegations promptly, with a Twitter post of their own.

"Wild Youth is a band that stands for unity and kindness," the band wrote. "Our song represents our beliefs as a band. We have cut all ties with Ian Banham and will not have him on or near our team or Eurovison journey. We are so sorry for anyone offended by his comments."

Wild Youth is a band that stands for unity and kindness. Our song represents our beliefs as a band. We have cut all ties with Ian Banham and will not have him on or near our team or Eurovison journey. We are so sorry for anyone offended by his comments. ❤️

— Wild Youth (@bandwildyouth) April 25, 2023

Wild Youth's Conor O'Donohoe also released a statement of his own.

"First off I want to apologise with my whole heart to anyone who has been hurt or even had to read such horrible tweets," he remarked. "He goes against everything I stand for , his tweets make me feel sick reading them. Writing this song and writing these lyrics was writing about what I believe in. Acceptance Unity and kindness. Ian will have nothing to do with Wild Youth on our eurovison journey. Again from the bottom of my heart. I’m sorry to anybody who had to read these tweets and was effected by them."

First off I want to apologise with my whole heart to anyone who has been hurt or even had to read such horrible tweets. He goes against everything I stand for , his tweets make me feel sick reading them. Writing this song and writing these lyrics was writing about what I believe… https://t.co/swwLMhNgZW

— Conor O Donohoe (@Conor_O_Donohoe) April 25, 2023

This year's Eurovision Song Contest final takes place in Liverpool on Saturday, May 13. Ireland will be competing in the first semi-finale on May 9.