Eurovision winner Sobral says voice ‘fragile’ after heart op

The 28-year-old Portuguese singer, who suffered from a long-standing condition, underwent the operation in December, just seven months after winning Eurovision in Kiev with a jazzy number penned by his sister entitled “Amar Pelos Dois”, or “Love for Both of Us”.

“I think it was the most contrasting year that anyone could imagine,” he told Portuguese public television RTP in his first interview since the transplant.

“This has influenced me in a very physical way, the medication and certain things have made my voice a bit fragile but I think it will return to what it was,” added Sobral, who was visibly heavier than when he won the Eurovision crown.

It was Portugal’s first victory since it began entering the contest in 1964. Thousands of fans greeted Sobral at Lisbon airport on his return home and he was honoured by the Portuguese parliament.

Sobral’s win means Portugal will host this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in May but the singer said he was not sure if he would perform at the event.

“We’ll see,” he told RTP.

Sobral has not performed in public since the operation but last month posted on Facebook a video clip of himself performing part of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” while playing the piano.