Cornelis Willem “Gordon” Heuckeroth (born 6 July 1968), known simply as Gordon, is a Dutch singer and television personality. Internationally, he is best known for his membership of the supergroup the Toppers, which represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song “Shine”. He left the group in 2011.

In 1990, Heuckeroth came third in the Nationaal Songfestival. In 1991, he had a Dutch number one hit with the single “Kon ik maar even bij je zijn” (If only I could be with you for just a while). In 2003, Heuckeroth again participated in the Nationaal Songfestival, finishing second after Esther Hart.

Heuckeroth joined Dutch singers Gerard Joling and René Froger in a series of concerts under the name the Toppers. The Toppers represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia, but did not qualify for the final, finishing in seventeenth place in the semi-final. In 2009, Heuckeroth left the Toppers, but re-joined the group a few weeks later. He permanently left the group in 2011.

From 2007 to 2008, Heuckeroth had his own radio show on Radio 538. On television, he was part of the jury of Idols in 2007, X Factor from 2009 to 2013, Holland’s Got Talent from 2010 to 2017, and The Voice Senior in 2018. In 2013, Heuckeroth received widespread criticism for a viral video in which he is seen making racist jokes about a Chinese Holland’s Got Talent contestant.

In March 2021, Heuckeroth presented a petition to Sander Dekker, caretaker Minister for Legal Protection, calling for an identification requirement for social media accounts. He wanted an end to anonymous threats and homophobia that he and others had received. Dekker called it an interesting proposal that he would take up with European colleagues. He is the owner of The Burger Room, a highly touted, Wizard of Oz themed restaurant and bar in Amsterdam.

Discography:

• Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn (CNR Music, 1992)
• Alles Wat Ik Ben (1993)
• Now Is The Time (CNR Music, 1994)
• Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn (2 CD; 1995)
• Je Bent Wie Je Bent Schatje (1995)
• De Tijd Van Mijn Leven (1996)
• Omdat Ik Zo Van Je Hou (CNR Music, 1996)
• Gordon & Re-Play (Dino Music, 2002) featuring Re-Play
• Gordon & (Dino Music, 2003)
• A Song For You (Rodeo Media, 2008)
• Liefde Overwint Alles (Berk Music, 2013)
• Compleet, Volmaakt, Het Einde (Berk Music, 2016) featuring Metropole Orkest

References:

• ESC History – Netherlands 1990
•  “Hit Parade”. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2007.
•  Gordon on air! on the website of Radio538 Archived 13 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine (Dutch) – Retrieved on 31 December 2007
• Blum, Jeremy; Boehler, Patrick (21 November 2013). “Dutch musician’s ‘racist’ comments against Chinese go viral, draw ire”. South China Morning Post.
•  YouTube: Xiao Wang verrast jury en publiek – HOLLAND’S GOT TALENT
• ‘Which number are you singing, No. 39 with rice?’ Holland’s Got Talent judge cracks racist jokes at Chinese performer
•  Shockingly Racist Got Talent Judge Makes Howard Stern Look Tame Archived 21 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
•  The Racist Talent Show Judge Who Makes Simon Cowell Look Good
•  “Gordon wil identiteitsbewijs in strijd tegen anonieme bedreigingen”. Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 9 March 2021.