Nicole and Hugo were a Belgian singing duo made up of Nicole Josy (real name: Nicole Van Pamel) and Hugo Sigal. They met in 1970 and married the following year. Since their formation, they released 4 albums and several singles, also participating in the 1974 World Popular Music Festival in Tokyo where they finished in 2nd place.
They had originally been selected to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 1971 in Dublin with the song "Goeiemorgen, morgen", however prior to their departure Nicole fell ill with jaundice and were unable to participate.
Two years later, they represented their country at the Eurovision Song Contest 1973 in Luxembourg City with the song Baby, Baby, finishing in last place. Ironically, it became a hit in the Flemish region of Belgium and the duo was best remembered by fans for the flared purple jumpsuits they wore on stage and their choreography.
They later appeared at the Congratulations gala in 2005 wearing their original costumes and singing a short version of their 1973 entry.
Nicole Josy passed away on 4 November 2022 at the age of 76. At the 2023 Belgian national final with Hugo in attendance, the finalists paid tribute to her with a rendition of "Baby, Baby" during the opening number. During the 2024 contest, their performance at the 1973 contest was replayed, with presenter Malin Åkerman explaining that they were the first act to "sing and dance at the same time". Åkerman then pays tribute to Nicole and Hugo, presenting subsequent acts with similar performance styles.
Eurovision Song Contest 1973 | |||
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Participants | |||
Marion Rung • Nicole & Hugo • Fernando Tordo • Gitte • Bendik Singers • Marie-France Dufour • Mocedades • Patrick Juvet • Zdravko Čolić • Massimo Ranieri • Anne Marie David • The Nova • Ben Cramer • Maxi • Cliff Richard • Martine Clémenceau • Ilanit | |||
Songs | |||
Tom Tom Tom • Baby, Baby • Tourada • Junger Tag • It's Just A Game • Un train qui part • Eres tú • Je vais me marier, Marie • Gori vatra • Chi sarà con te • Tu te reconnaîtras • You're Summer • De oude muzikant • Do I Dream • Power To All Our Friends • Sans toi • Ey Sham |