A French singer competing in a European music competition has sparked outrage for planning to sing in English in the upcoming Eurovision contest, reports say.

Singer Sebastien Tellier, has decided to perform his song "Divine" with almost exclusively English lyrics in the competition, according to Agence France-Presse.

The decision triggered an outrage among some politicians because this will be the first time a French participant will be singing in English since the competittion launched in 1956.

Lawmakers from France's right-wing Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party lambasted the 33-year-old singer and called him a sellout.

However, Culture Minister Christine Albanel said the country should be "solidly behind" Tellier, although she said "it is a shame that there is no French song" to represent France.