A relatively unknown singer songwriter will represent the Netherlands at this year’s European Song Contest in May in Tel Aviv

Duncan Laurence, who reached the semi-finals of the Voice of Holland competition in 2014, is a strategic choice because he will be easier to steer, song contest experts told broadcaster NOS.

‘It will be useful if he does what he is told to do and is relatively uncritical,’ NOS reporter Martijn van der Zande said. Last year’s entrant Waylon irritated the contest selection committee by demanding to choose the song and went on to pick fights with the press.

Laurence, 24, said on Instagram that ‘you don’t need to be a big star to win on a big stage’.

‘Over the past few years, top names have represented the Netherlands,’ he said. ‘I am not one, but that is what is great – there is a lot of young musical talent in the Netherlands.’

Ilse DeLange, who coached Laurence in the Voice of Holland and was half of the Common Linnets at Eurovision in 2014, reportedly tipped off the selection committee. ‘Duncan is very special,’ she said. ‘He writes international songs with a great deal of authenticity.’

Selection committee member Eric van Stade said they were ‘blown away’ by Laurence’s song. ‘It was so powerful we were unanimous in our choice,’ he said.

The song will be revealed in March.