Making Your Mind Up (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Eurovision: Your Country Needs You was a BBC
TV show broadcast annually to select the United Kingdom
's entry into the Eurovision Song Contest
. The show had previously gone under several other names, including Festival of British Popular Songs, Eurovision Song Contest British Final, Great British Song Contest, Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up and Eurovision: Your Decision but was known for most of its history as A Song for Europe. The current name and format was adopted in 2009. In 2011, Blue were chosen to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
resulting in Your Country Needs You being suspended.
to choose and perform a song that they liked from the shortlist available. Household names such as Petula Clark
, Lita Roza
, Anne Shelton, Frank Ifield
, Ronnie Hilton
and David Hughes
were amongst the contenders for the UK competition, none of whom were able to secure the ticket to the Eurovision final. In the early 1960s, record companies became involved in the selection process for the first time and submitted songs by their artists. This produced hits for Craig Douglas
, Karl Denver
, Jackie Lee
, Kenny Lynch
, Vince Hill
and Ricky Valance
, but again, none of them were to go forward to Eurovision.
From 1964 up until 1975, an artist would be chosen by the BBC, and that artist would sing all six songs (five in 1966 and 1967) in the selection, and the public (bar 1964 and 1971) would choose by postcard which song they would like to represent them in the contest. Regional juries selected the winner in 1964. A postal strike in 1971 prevented the ballot from taking place, so regional juries were once again constructed to pick the winner. In 1972, national power cuts meant that the broadcast of the show was blacked out in many areas, leading to a very low postal vote. In its early days of this format, only "light entertainment" singers were used, such as Kenneth McKellar
and Kathy Kirby
. However, the poor showing of McKellar in Luxembourg (he placed 9th of 18 entries with scores from only 2 countries) prompted the BBC to use more mainstream popstars, which led to a run of successful results for the UK. This idea was dropped due to the low number of postal votes cast in the contest of 1975, in which all six songs were performed by The Shadows
, and after objections from songwriters who felt The Shadows
, and the BBC
's selections in general, were not the sort of artists they wanted to represent their music.
During this period, the "Song For Europe" selection process was incorporated into other BBC
light entertainment shows. Typically, the performer would sing one song a week as a guest on a regular, Saturday night BBC
TV show. This culminated with the performer singing all the songs one after another in a special edition of the given show. From 1968 - 1975, these performances were then immediately repeated before viewers were asked to cast their votes. The following week, the winning song would be announced and performed once more. The various shows chosen for the "Song For Europe" performances were The Rolf Harris Show (1967), Cilla (1968 & 1973), Happening For Lulu (1969), It's Cliff Richard! (1970–1972), Clunk, Click (1974) - when in a break with the format, Olivia Newton-John
performed three songs a week for two weeks rather than one a week for six weeks - and It's Lulu (1975).
This period was highly successful for the UK in Eurovision. Author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor
notes in his book The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History, that every UK entry to Eurovision from 1967 to 1977 finished in the top four, with only three songs not being first or second. Indeed, the UK were only 7 points short of four consecutive victories from 1967-1970.
. The first few years of the revamped format also saw a plethora of well-known names take part in the competition. Frank Ifield
, Tammy Jones
, Sweet Sensation
, Lyn Paul
, Tony Monopoly
, Carl Wayne
, Hazell Dean
, Tony Christie
, The Foundations
, Labi Siffre
, Guys 'n' Dolls, The Nolan Sisters, Polly Brown
and Sweet Dreams
all took part in the competition, but none were successful. Likewise, the first two winners of the contest, Brotherhood of Man
and Lynsey de Paul
& Mike Moran had many hits under their belts before attempting Eurovision.
In 1977, a strike by BBC
cameramen led to the contest being blacked out on TV, although the show went ahead and the audio portion was later broadcast on BBC Radio 2. The TV programme has never been broadcast and is not listed in the BBC
archives, yet it was transmitted to the various regional juries in BBC
studios around the country, in order for them to cast their votes. The 1979 "A Song For Europe" final was never held at all, due to a strike by BBC sound engineers. The juries had to judge using audio recordings of the rehearsals. The songs were presented to the public on Terry Wogan
's radio show the following day, after the result was known, followed later in the day with a spot on the TV magazine show Nationwide
, where the top 5 were revealed and the winners, Black Lace
were interviewed as guests on the show. As a result of this industrial action, all future contests were staged at BBC
studios and not as outside broadcasts from venues. The 1980 result led to a tie break between Prima Donna
's "Love Enough For Two" and Maggie Moone
's "Happy Everything". To resolve this, in an unrehearsed panic, host Terry Wogan
, called back the juries to announce their favourite of the two songs. This led to extreme confusion when the scoreboard failed to keep up and some juries contradicted the results they had given earlier. Prima Donna
won, with eight juries to Maggie Moone
's six. A detailed check of the votes after the show did confirm that Prima Donna
were the correct winners. Prima Donna
were the first winners of the competition specifically formed to take part in Eurovision. This became the norm in the 1980s and the artists taking part in the contest became more and more obscure and amateurish. However, a few notable acts did enter the contest in the 1980s, with scant success. Liquid Gold
, Alvin Stardust
, Sinitta and Hazell Dean
all failing to come through the heats.
By 1981, the number of songs had dropped to eight, and interest had started to wane. Four out of eight songs in both the 1982 and 1984 events were written by Paul Curtis
, who was unsurprisingly responsible for the 1984 winner; "Love Games". Following Belle & The Devotions
7th placing at the 1984 Eurovision contest, the audience audibly booed them from the stage in an orchestrated demonstration against the song's supposed plagiarism, and by the local audience retaliating against a particularly shocking violent attack by English soccer fans. For 1985, the BBC
wanted to revert to having one singer of their choice perform all the short listed songs and approached Lena Zavaroni
for the task. However, the Music Publisher's Association blocked the move, wanting their members the choice of their own singers to represent their music. A compromise was reached and only solo artists or duets - no "made for Eurovision" acts - were permitted to take part in the 1985 UK selection process and limited two entries per songwriter. They reverted to allowing all-comers for 1986. Starting in 1985, the songs were also 'previewed' on Terry Wogan
's prime time chat show on BBC1
ahead of the final. When the series ended in 1992, the songs were presented in 1993 & 1994 in stand alone programmes, hosted by Terry.
The number of entries briefly increased to ten in 1987 when record companies were invited to submit songs, but after a poor result from Rikki
in Eurovision 1987, the regional juries were disbanded, and the final decision given to the public through telephone voting, with a celebrity panel offering comments on the entries intended to guide viewers. This proved to be a relative success, accruing two second places and a sixth place (Zagreb
, 1990). However, a disappointing 10th place in Rome obtained by Samantha Janus
led the BBC to rethink the standard of performers in the competition.
's head of light entertainment, Jim Moir
choosing one artist to perform all the songs in the UK final. Michael Ball
was the first in 1992, and went on to win second place. Sonia was also second the year after. However, after a suggestion by Don Black to the BBC
's new head of light entertainment David Liddiment in 1994, stage star Frances Ruffelle
was offered the job of representing the UK. A virtually unknown singer, interest was not surprisingly low, and her final position in the Eurovision Song Contest held in Dublin was a disappointing tenth, the same achieved by Samantha Janus
in 1991.
A dramatic modernisation was introduced in 1995 in an attempt to boost the profile of the contest. Pop supremo Jonathan King
was drafted in to make the event more modern. The 1995 event had a diverse range of songs and some relatively well-known acts performing, such as Londonbeat
who had a hit with I've Been Thinking About You, pop-combo Deuce
and Sox
, who featured singer and former Page 3 icon Samantha Fox
. All songs were presented on a special edition of Top Of The Pops
prior to the live final. On the night, the well known artists were all beaten by rap act Love City Groove
, whose eponymous song could only manage a disappointing tenth in Dublin that year. On a positive note, the songs by Love City Groove
and Deuce
made the top 10 of the UK singles charts, while the entries from Dear Jon (One Gift of Love), Londonbeat
and Sox
reached the lower reaches of the charts.
The following year, a semi-final was introduced. All eight songs were performed on Top of the Pops
on 1 March, and the public voted to decide the four finalists. The results were announced the following day, but there was no information given on who finished where. On 8 March the final was held, with Gina G
winning very easily with her dance number Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit
. The song became an instant hit in the charts, reaching number 1, but not in the Eurovision Contest itself. In Oslo
, Gina could only manage 8th place, but was perhaps consoled by her Europe-wide hit with the song, which also became one of the few Eurovision songs (and one of the relatively few dance songs) to be a major hit in the United States
.
This format was retained again, but with an added twist. All eight contestants would be heard on Ken Bruce
's radio show on BBC Radio 2
, with a public vote to decide the four finalists. The four would perform on The National Lottery Show until 1998, and then on Top of the Pops
in 1999. The final itself would just consist of repeats of the performances made in the above shows, in a special programme on a Sunday afternoon. This produced a win for Katrina and the Waves
in 1997, and a second place for Imaani in 1998, but disappointment in 1999 for Precious.
gave what author John Kennedy O'Connor
describes in his book The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History as a far from strong performance, despite her previous chart success and attained the UK's worst ever placing at the time, a mere 16th in Stockholm with "Don't Play That Song Again
". This format continued the following year, and another poor showing for the UK. Lindsay D
only got one place higher than Nicki French in Copenhagen. The entries from Six Chix in 2000 and Luke Galliana, the latter of which didn't make the 2001 final, became minor hits, with Galliana just failing to make the Top 40, but becoming a popular hit on cable request line music channel The Box.
The 2002 A Song For Europe generated a lot of publicity, because three of the four acts that made the final were relatively well-known to TV viewers, albeit not necessarily for their singing ability. Surf 'n' Turf included Jonathan Maitland
who is a TV presenter of consumer advice shows such as Watchdog
and House of Horrors
. Tricia Penrose
is an actress who plays Gina in the 60s retro drama Heartbeat on ITV
, and Jessica Garlick
had made the final stages of another ITV show Pop Idol
. The standard of songs was stronger than previous years, and Jessica Garlick had a runaway victory of nearly 70,000 votes with her ballad "Come Back
". The song was also a success in Eurovision with it finishing joint third with hosts Estonia
.
2003 saw disappointment, although a new voting format. The new voting system of regional televoting, where 9, 10 and 12 points were awarded to the top three songs, led to an unsuccessful winner. Jemini
's "Cry Baby
" won by two points over "Help Me" by Emily Reed. Confidence in the UK entry was low for both fans and the public, and in the actual contest held in Riga, Jemini picked up the UK's worst-ever showing, scoring "nul points" and finishing last, due to a very poor performance, although some reports attempted to blame European disapproval of the US-UK invasion of Iraq
for the failure of any nation to give the UK even one point. As noted by author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor
, with 26 entries in the Eurovision field, this made "Cry Baby" the least successful song in the history of the contest. No song in the Eurovision final has scored "nul points" since.
The 2004 selection was totally different. Gone was the Song For Europe name, replaced with Making Your Mind Up. The radio semi-final was also gone, and the six songs were performed live in a Saturday night show. This raised the profile of the competition, although there was criticism of the fact that four of the six acts were from reality TV shows. The winner, chosen by 70% regional televoting (regions awarding 0,2,4,6,8 and 12 points) and 30% SMS and Interactive voting, was James Fox
, who had finished fifth in the second series of Fame Academy
, with a gentle ballad "Hold On To Our Love", written by Gary Miller and Tim Woodcock. Viewing figures were peaked at over 7 million for the results show. The song finished 16th at the contest in Istanbul
.
For 2005, six songs dropped to five, and the show was moved to an early Saturday evening slot on 5 March, to avoid a clash with Comic Relief Does Fame Academy
and Natasha Kaplinsky
replaced Gaby Roslin as co-host with Sir Terry Wogan. The press focused on two performers. Javine Hylton
who is a relatively well-known urban singer, and Katie Price
, aka Jordan, a famous glamour model. The other contestants included former 3SL
bandmember Andy Scott-Lee
, the 1996 British Eurovision entry Gina G
and unknown opera trio Tricolore. The voting itself was the same format as the previous year, but this time an online jury was added to decide between the contestants to take account of the views of those watching in the rest of Europe. After an exciting voting sequence, Javine came out on top with her ethno-urban song "Touch My Fire
", although she also caused some controversy when she briefly fell out of her top during an energetic dance routine. At the 50th Eurovision Song Contest held in Kiev
, Javine finished 22nd out of 24 participants in the final, the UK's second poorest finish ever.
In February 2006 it was announced that artists competing in the 2006 contest
would include Kym Marsh
and Anthony Costa, both relatively well-known in the UK for their past involvement with music bands (the former appearing in Hear'say
and the latter in boy band Blue
). Following the format of the previous year (and with six songs this time), Making Your Mind Up returned in 2006 in a prime-time Saturday evening slot, and was broadcast on March 4 on BBC One
. Terry Wogan
and Natasha Kaplinsky
once again presented and were accompanied by a 'Celebrity Jury' that included chat-show host Jonathan Ross
, popstar Kelly Osbourne
and Top of the Pops
presenter Fearne Cotton
. The eventual winner of the 2006 contest (after the 7 tele-juries from around the UK and mobile and web votes) was Daz Sampson
and his song "Teenage Life". Yet another low result was produced for the United Kingdom, as Daz finished 19th in the contest out of 24 competing countries.
During a press conference on 28 February 2007, the BBC confirmed that the artists taking part in Making Your Mind Up would include Big Brovaz
, an RnB
group who had 4 UK Top 10 singles in 2002-2003, Brian Harvey
, a former member of the boy band East 17
; Cyndi
; Justin Hawkins
of The Darkness, performing a duet with Beverlei Brown
; Liz McClarnon
, formerly of girl group
Atomic Kitten
; and Scooch
, the eventual winners with "Flying the Flag (for You)
". Scooch sang their entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007
on 12 May 2007 in Helsinki
, Finland
and finished in second to last place with 19 points, ahead of Ireland placed last.
For the first time, the show was filmed at The Maidstone Studios
in Kent
. The hour long final was broadcast at 7:30pm on 17 March 2007 on BBC One, with the half hour results show showing at 9:30pm on the same date. Although this was past the 12 March cut-off set by the EBU, the BBC were given a special extension because the EBU were made aware of this over a year in advance.
The show ended in disarray when Fearne Cotton
shouted out that the winner was Scooch, while co-host Terry Wogan
simultaneously announced the winner to be Cyndi. After some confusion from both performers, each thinking the other had won, it was revealed that the true winner was Scooch.
In 2008 the show's name was changed to Eurovision: Your Decision. It was screened in two parts in March 2008, and was hosted by Claudia Winkleman
and Sir Terry Wogan
. The six competing acts were paired as girl groups (LoveShy and The Revelations
), soloists (Michelle Gayle
and Andy Abraham
), and "Joseph and Maria" contestants (Rob McVeigh
and Simona Armstrong
) from the BBC talent shows Any Dream Will Do
and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
. A panel of three judges (John Barrowman
, Carrie Grant
, and Terry Wogan) decided which artists to put through to a semi-final after each pair had performed. Terry Wogan then allowed one of the rejected acts through as a "wild card" before viewers were invited to vote by phone to decide which two would perform again in the final. The two finalists chosen by the viewers were Michelle Gayle singing "Woo (You Make Me)", and Andy Abraham singing "Even If
". Despite having been originally eliminated at the first stage, Terry Wogan's "wild card" pick turned out to be the winner when the viewers voted Andy Abraham the victor with "Even If
".
This received a total of 14 points in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
on 24 May 2008 in Belgrade
, finishing in last place, although sharing the same score with Poland
(24th) and Germany
(23rd).
The BBC
announced in a televised call for talent on 18 October 2008, that in 2009 there would be another change to the national final. The show was renamed Eurovision: Your Country Needs You, hosted by Graham Norton
, and followed a format similar to popular BBC talent shows I'd Do Anything
and Any Dream Will Do
. The multi-week format had members of the public (amateur or professional) compete to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
, which was held in Moscow
, Russia
. In the final the three remaining contestants performed the song "It's My Time", composed by Andrew Lloyd-Webber
with lyrics by Diane Warren
. The winner of the contest was Jade Ewen
who went on to score a credible fifth place at the Eurovision final in Moscow.
would be writing the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest
in Oslo, Norway, on 29 May. Waterman's writing partner was Mike Stock and the singer was chosen on 12 March, in a live show featuring six potential artists broadcast on BBC One, hosted by Graham Norton. Waterman chose three of the six acts to perform his song "That Sounds Good To Me
", with the televiewers then selecting the winner. The winner was Josh Dubovie
, who represented the UK in Oslo on 29 May and finished last with 10 points.
On 29 January 2011, the BBC confirmed that boy band Blue have been chosen to represent the UK in the 2011
contest in Düsseldorf with the composition "I Can
" written by Duncan James, Lee Ryan, Ciaron Bell, Ben Collier, Ian Hope, Liam Keenan and 'StarSign'. Band member Anthony Costa had tried to represent the UK in 2006 as a soloist, placing 2nd in the heat behind Daz Sampson
. Other Blue personnel Lee Ryan
had written one of the finalists in the 2005 UK heat and Duncan James
was a panellist in the 2009 heat, going on to announce the UK scores at the Eurovision final from Moscow. James posted in a separate twitter message that they have pre-selected their own song. The process thus excludes the UK viewing public from any participation in the British Eurovision selection for the first time. Blue became the first UK representatives since The Shadows
in 1975 to have had multiple no.1 singles in the UK chart prior to appearing in Eurovision, and the first since Sonia in 1993 to have had a no.1 at all. A documentary entitled Eurovision: Your Country Needs Blue was produced for BBC One broadcast on Saturday 16 April 2011. The group placed 11th at the Eurovision final with 100 points and peaked at no.16 in the UK singles chart.
Although "I Love The Little Things" failed to reach the official top 50 singles chart in 1964, the EP release containing the track and the other UK finalists reached #16 in the official EP charts. Both "Runner In the Night" and "Only The Light" reached the top 100 of the singles chart, but failed to register in the official top 75.
Ken Bruce
& Terry Wogan
hosted the BBC Radio 2
semi finals from 1997-2003.
Both Ken Bruce
and Ray Moore
have provided BBC Radio 2
commentary on various occasions.
1 Acted as "judges" to eliminate contestants in preliminary rounds
2 Acted as "judges" to 'save' contestants from elimination
1 Show not transmitted on TV due to industrial action
2 Show abandoned due to industrial action
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
TV show broadcast annually to select the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's entry into the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
. The show had previously gone under several other names, including Festival of British Popular Songs, Eurovision Song Contest British Final, Great British Song Contest, Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up and Eurovision: Your Decision but was known for most of its history as A Song for Europe. The current name and format was adopted in 2009. In 2011, Blue were chosen to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Eurovision Song Contest 2011
The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 was the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest and was won by Eldar & Nigar performing "Running Scared" for Azerbaijan. The event took place in the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, following Germany's win in the previous year...
resulting in Your Country Needs You being suspended.
Early days
The format of the show, and the manner in which the winner is chosen, has gone through many mutations. In its early days, there was a round of televised semi-finals, with the winner chosen by regional juries situated across the country. This format was used until 1960. During this era the show was known as "Festival Of British Popular Songs" (1957) and "Eurovision Song Contest British Finals" (1959 & 1960). In 1961 the show became known by its more familiar title, "A Song For Europe" with regional juries again deciding the winner. Typically, singers would be invited by the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
to choose and perform a song that they liked from the shortlist available. Household names such as Petula Clark
Petula Clark
Petula Clark, CBE is an English singer, actress, and composer whose career has spanned seven decades.Clark's professional career began as an entertainer on BBC Radio during World War II...
, Lita Roza
Lita Roza
Lita Roza was a British singer. Her 1953 number one hit record " That Doggie in the Window?" afforded Roza the privilege of being the first British female singer to top the UK Singles Chart, and the first Liverpudlian to do so.-Biography:Born Lilian Patricia Lita Roza in Liverpool, Lancashire,...
, Anne Shelton, Frank Ifield
Frank Ifield
Francis Edward Ifield is an early Australian-English easy listening and country music singer. He achieved considerable success in the early 1960s, especially in the UK Singles Chart, where he had four Number 1 hits between 1962 and 1963....
, Ronnie Hilton
Ronnie Hilton
Ronnie Hilton was an English singer and radio presenter. According to his obituary in The Guardian newspaper, "Hilton was one of those 1950s vocalists whose career coincided with rock and roll's 1956 onslaught on the ballad dominated hit parade...
and David Hughes
David Hughes
David Hughes may refer to:*David Hughes , interim president and CEO of Amtrak, 2005–2006*David Hughes , English astronomer specialising in comets*David Hughes , Swedish bass guitarist...
were amongst the contenders for the UK competition, none of whom were able to secure the ticket to the Eurovision final. In the early 1960s, record companies became involved in the selection process for the first time and submitted songs by their artists. This produced hits for Craig Douglas
Craig Douglas
Craig Douglas is an English pop singer, who was popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s...
, Karl Denver
Karl Denver
Karl Denver was a Scottish singer, who, with his trio had a series of UK hit singles in the early 1960s. Most famous of these was a 1961 version of "Wimoweh", which showed off Denver's falsetto yodelling register...
, Jackie Lee
Jackie Lee
Jackie Lee is an Irish popular music singer, who has recorded under various names.-Career:Lee was a musical child prodigy. She won a scholarship and trained as a soprano for four years...
, Kenny Lynch
Kenny Lynch
Kenny Lynch, OBE is an English singer, songwriter, entertainer and actor from London. Lynch appeared in many variety shows in the 1960s...
, Vince Hill
Vince Hill
Vince Hill is an English traditional pop music singer, songwriter and record producer.-Biography:...
and Ricky Valance
Ricky Valance
Ricky Valance is a Welsh singer. He is best known for the number one single, "Tell Laura I Love Her", which sold over a million copies in 1960.-Life and career:...
, but again, none of them were to go forward to Eurovision.
From 1964 up until 1975, an artist would be chosen by the BBC, and that artist would sing all six songs (five in 1966 and 1967) in the selection, and the public (bar 1964 and 1971) would choose by postcard which song they would like to represent them in the contest. Regional juries selected the winner in 1964. A postal strike in 1971 prevented the ballot from taking place, so regional juries were once again constructed to pick the winner. In 1972, national power cuts meant that the broadcast of the show was blacked out in many areas, leading to a very low postal vote. In its early days of this format, only "light entertainment" singers were used, such as Kenneth McKellar
Kenneth McKellar (singer)
Kenneth McKellar was a Scottish tenor.-Career:McKellar studied forestry at the University of Aberdeen, after graduation working for the Scottish Forestry Commission. He later trained at the Royal College of Music as an opera singer...
and Kathy Kirby
Kathy Kirby
Kathy Kirby was an English singer who was reportedly the highest-paid female singer of her generation. She is best known for her cover version of Doris Day's "Secret Love" and for representing the United Kingdom in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest, where she came in second place...
. However, the poor showing of McKellar in Luxembourg (he placed 9th of 18 entries with scores from only 2 countries) prompted the BBC to use more mainstream popstars, which led to a run of successful results for the UK. This idea was dropped due to the low number of postal votes cast in the contest of 1975, in which all six songs were performed by The Shadows
The Shadows
The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
, and after objections from songwriters who felt The Shadows
The Shadows
The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
, and the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's selections in general, were not the sort of artists they wanted to represent their music.
During this period, the "Song For Europe" selection process was incorporated into other BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
light entertainment shows. Typically, the performer would sing one song a week as a guest on a regular, Saturday night BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
TV show. This culminated with the performer singing all the songs one after another in a special edition of the given show. From 1968 - 1975, these performances were then immediately repeated before viewers were asked to cast their votes. The following week, the winning song would be announced and performed once more. The various shows chosen for the "Song For Europe" performances were The Rolf Harris Show (1967), Cilla (1968 & 1973), Happening For Lulu (1969), It's Cliff Richard! (1970–1972), Clunk, Click (1974) - when in a break with the format, Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
performed three songs a week for two weeks rather than one a week for six weeks - and It's Lulu (1975).
This period was highly successful for the UK in Eurovision. Author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor
John Kennedy O'Connor
John Kennedy O'Connor is an author, entertainment and political commentator, based in the United States. Born in North London, United Kingdom, he has written, reported and broadcast for numerous media organizations, as well as writing, creating and producing media events for a number of...
notes in his book The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History, that every UK entry to Eurovision from 1967 to 1977 finished in the top four, with only three songs not being first or second. Indeed, the UK were only 7 points short of four consecutive victories from 1967-1970.
1970s and 1980s
In 1976, a new system was put into force. Twelve songs were performed by artists chosen by the songwriters themselves and the winner was chosen by regional juries across the country during a stand alone show called "A Song For Europe". This system produced an immediate success by choosing the song which went on to be the Eurovision winner that year, "Save Your Kisses for Me" by Brotherhood of ManBrotherhood of Man
Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s, most notably by winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me"....
. The first few years of the revamped format also saw a plethora of well-known names take part in the competition. Frank Ifield
Frank Ifield
Francis Edward Ifield is an early Australian-English easy listening and country music singer. He achieved considerable success in the early 1960s, especially in the UK Singles Chart, where he had four Number 1 hits between 1962 and 1963....
, Tammy Jones
Tammy Jones
Tammy Jones , is a singer from Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales.-Musical career:Jones began singing at an early age, and was soon established as a regular on both radio and television in her native Wales....
, Sweet Sensation
Sweet Sensation (band)
Sweet Sensation was an eight piece British soul group who had some success between 1974 and 1977. Cast very much in the then-popular mould of the Philly sound, they broke through in 1974 following an appearance on a UK television talent show, New Faces...
, Lyn Paul
Lyn Paul
Lyn Paul is an English pop singer and actress. She came to fame as a member of the international chart-topping pop group The New Seekers in the early 1970s...
, Tony Monopoly
Tony Monopoly
Tony Monopoly was a popular Australian cabaret singer and actor who enjoyed success in the United Kingdom.Born Antonio Rosario Monopoli in Adelaide, Australia, he was a regular on the national radio show Kangaroos on Parade at the age of nine. At the age of sixteen he became a Carmelite monk and...
, Carl Wayne
Carl Wayne
Carl Wayne was a British singer and actor. He is best remembered as the lead vocalist of Birmingham rock group The Move during the 1960s.-Early days:...
, Hazell Dean
Hazell Dean
Hazell Dean is a British dance-pop singer, who achieved her biggest success in the 1980s as a leading Hi-NRG artist. She is best known for the top ten hits "Searchin' ", "Whatever I Do " and "Who's Leaving Who"...
, Tony Christie
Tony Christie
Tony Christie is an English musician, singer and actor. He is best known for his track, "Is This The Way To Amarillo", a double UK chart success.-Career:Tony Christie has sold over 10 million albums Worldwide...
, The Foundations
The Foundations
The Foundations were a British soul band, active from 1967 to 1970. The group, made up of West Indians, White British, and a Sri Lankan, are best known for their two biggest hits, "Baby Now That I've Found You" , written by Tony Macaulay and John MacLeod; and "Build Me Up Buttercup" The Foundations...
, Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre is a British poet, songwriter, musician and singer most widely known as the writer and singer of " So Strong", "It Must Be Love" and "I Got The", the sampled rhythm track which provides the basis for a number of well-known hip hop tracks such as Eminem’s breakthrough hit single, "My...
, Guys 'n' Dolls, The Nolan Sisters, Polly Brown
Polly Brown
Polly Brown is an English singer. A member of Pickettywitch and Sweet Dreams - and with each group lead singer on a Top Ten hit, respectively "That Same Old Feeling" and "Honey Honey" - Brown had an international solo hit in 1975 with "Up in a Puff of Smoke".-Biography:Brown recorded with...
and Sweet Dreams
Sweet Dreams (1970s band)
Sweet Dreams were an English studio group who in 1974 scored the English hit version of the ABBA song "Honey Honey".-Career:A cover of an ABBA album track, "Honey Honey" was recorded by a session group backing vocalist Polly Brown, who the track's producers Ron Roker and Gerry Shury had admired...
all took part in the competition, but none were successful. Likewise, the first two winners of the contest, Brotherhood of Man
Brotherhood of Man
Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s, most notably by winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me"....
and Lynsey de Paul
Lynsey De Paul
Lynsey de Paul is an English singer-songwriter. Allmusic journalist, Craig Harris stated, "one of the first successful female singer-songwriters in England, de Paul has had an illustrious career".-Early life:De Paul was born to Meta and Herbert Rubin, a property developer...
& Mike Moran had many hits under their belts before attempting Eurovision.
In 1977, a strike by BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
cameramen led to the contest being blacked out on TV, although the show went ahead and the audio portion was later broadcast on BBC Radio 2. The TV programme has never been broadcast and is not listed in the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
archives, yet it was transmitted to the various regional juries in BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
studios around the country, in order for them to cast their votes. The 1979 "A Song For Europe" final was never held at all, due to a strike by BBC sound engineers. The juries had to judge using audio recordings of the rehearsals. The songs were presented to the public on Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
's radio show the following day, after the result was known, followed later in the day with a spot on the TV magazine show Nationwide
Nationwide (TV series)
Nationwide was a BBC News and Current affairs television programme broadcast on BBC One each weekday following the early evening news. It followed a magazine format, combining political analysis and discussion with consumer affairs, light entertainment and sports reporting...
, where the top 5 were revealed and the winners, Black Lace
Black Lace (band)
Black Lace is a British Euro pop band, best known for novelty party records, including their biggest hit, "Agadoo". The band first came to the public eye after being selected to represent the UK in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, in which they finished seventh with the song "Mary Ann"...
were interviewed as guests on the show. As a result of this industrial action, all future contests were staged at BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
studios and not as outside broadcasts from venues. The 1980 result led to a tie break between Prima Donna
Prima Donna (band)
Prima Donna were the United Kingdom representatives in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980. The group comprised sisters Kate Robbins and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn, Alan Coates and Lance Aston...
's "Love Enough For Two" and Maggie Moone
Maggie Moone
Maggie Moone is a singer best remembered for her role on the UK version of Name That Tune.In 1980 she participated in A Song For Europe, aiming to become the United Kingdom's entry to that year's Eurovision Song Contest to be staged in The Hague, The Netherlands...
's "Happy Everything". To resolve this, in an unrehearsed panic, host Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
, called back the juries to announce their favourite of the two songs. This led to extreme confusion when the scoreboard failed to keep up and some juries contradicted the results they had given earlier. Prima Donna
Prima Donna (band)
Prima Donna were the United Kingdom representatives in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980. The group comprised sisters Kate Robbins and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn, Alan Coates and Lance Aston...
won, with eight juries to Maggie Moone
Maggie Moone
Maggie Moone is a singer best remembered for her role on the UK version of Name That Tune.In 1980 she participated in A Song For Europe, aiming to become the United Kingdom's entry to that year's Eurovision Song Contest to be staged in The Hague, The Netherlands...
's six. A detailed check of the votes after the show did confirm that Prima Donna
Prima Donna (band)
Prima Donna were the United Kingdom representatives in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980. The group comprised sisters Kate Robbins and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn, Alan Coates and Lance Aston...
were the correct winners. Prima Donna
Prima Donna (band)
Prima Donna were the United Kingdom representatives in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980. The group comprised sisters Kate Robbins and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn, Alan Coates and Lance Aston...
were the first winners of the competition specifically formed to take part in Eurovision. This became the norm in the 1980s and the artists taking part in the contest became more and more obscure and amateurish. However, a few notable acts did enter the contest in the 1980s, with scant success. Liquid Gold
Adrian Baker
Adrian Baker is an English singer, songwriter, and record producer.-Career:Baker made his debut as a singer on Magnet Records/Epic Records in the United Kingdom. In 1975, he released his first solo album, Into a Dream...
, Alvin Stardust
Alvin Stardust
Alvin Stardust is an English pop singer and stage actor.-Career:...
, Sinitta and Hazell Dean
Hazell Dean
Hazell Dean is a British dance-pop singer, who achieved her biggest success in the 1980s as a leading Hi-NRG artist. She is best known for the top ten hits "Searchin' ", "Whatever I Do " and "Who's Leaving Who"...
all failing to come through the heats.
By 1981, the number of songs had dropped to eight, and interest had started to wane. Four out of eight songs in both the 1982 and 1984 events were written by Paul Curtis
Paul Curtis (musician)
Paul Michael Curtis is an English singer, songwriter, record producer from London, who holds the record for the most number of songs to make the finals of the A Song for Europe contest, the BBC's annual competition to choose the UK entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, competing with 22 separate...
, who was unsurprisingly responsible for the 1984 winner; "Love Games". Following Belle & The Devotions
Belle & the Devotions
Belle and the Devotions was a British pop music group, ostensibly a group name for the singer Kit Rolfe. Under this name she released the singles "Where Did Love Go Wrong?" and "Got To Let You Know" in 1983....
7th placing at the 1984 Eurovision contest, the audience audibly booed them from the stage in an orchestrated demonstration against the song's supposed plagiarism, and by the local audience retaliating against a particularly shocking violent attack by English soccer fans. For 1985, the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
wanted to revert to having one singer of their choice perform all the short listed songs and approached Lena Zavaroni
Lena Zavaroni
Lena Hilda Zavaroni was a Scottish child singer and a television show host. With her album Ma! He's Making Eyes At Me at ten years of age, she is the youngest person in history to have an album in the UK album chart top ten. Later in life she hosted TV shows and appeared on stage...
for the task. However, the Music Publisher's Association blocked the move, wanting their members the choice of their own singers to represent their music. A compromise was reached and only solo artists or duets - no "made for Eurovision" acts - were permitted to take part in the 1985 UK selection process and limited two entries per songwriter. They reverted to allowing all-comers for 1986. Starting in 1985, the songs were also 'previewed' on Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
's prime time chat show on BBC1
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
ahead of the final. When the series ended in 1992, the songs were presented in 1993 & 1994 in stand alone programmes, hosted by Terry.
The number of entries briefly increased to ten in 1987 when record companies were invited to submit songs, but after a poor result from Rikki
Richard Peebles
Richard Peebles , working under the stage name Rikki, is a Glaswegian singer who won the BBC's A Song for Europe contest in 1987 with his own composition, "Only the light". Although he'd been writing and performing with the group Marmalade, at the time he was picked to represent the UK, he was a...
in Eurovision 1987, the regional juries were disbanded, and the final decision given to the public through telephone voting, with a celebrity panel offering comments on the entries intended to guide viewers. This proved to be a relative success, accruing two second places and a sixth place (Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
, 1990). However, a disappointing 10th place in Rome obtained by Samantha Janus
Samantha Janus
Samantha Zoe Womack is an English actress, singer and director, both on television and stage. In recent years she has been best known for playing the role of Ronnie Branning in EastEnders, but made her name in the early 1990s as Mandy Wilkins in Game On, and also represented the United Kingdom in...
led the BBC to rethink the standard of performers in the competition.
1990s
As a result of the disappointing results in 1990 & 1991, the system that was used between 1964-1975 was resurrected, with the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's head of light entertainment, Jim Moir
James Moir
James Moir was a senior BBC executive for many years until his retirement in 2003. Among the programmes he produced were Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game from 1971-75....
choosing one artist to perform all the songs in the UK final. Michael Ball
Michael Ball (singer)
Michael Ashley Ball, born 27 June 1962) is a British actor, singer, and radio and TV presenter who is best known for the song "Love Changes Everything" and musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Edna Turnblad...
was the first in 1992, and went on to win second place. Sonia was also second the year after. However, after a suggestion by Don Black to the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's new head of light entertainment David Liddiment in 1994, stage star Frances Ruffelle
Frances Ruffelle
Frances Ruffelle is an English musical theatre actress and recording artist. Her mother is Sylvia Young, the founder of the famous theatre school at which Frances trained, and her daughter is recording artist Eliza Doolittle. Her younger sister is actress Alison Ruffelle...
was offered the job of representing the UK. A virtually unknown singer, interest was not surprisingly low, and her final position in the Eurovision Song Contest held in Dublin was a disappointing tenth, the same achieved by Samantha Janus
Samantha Janus
Samantha Zoe Womack is an English actress, singer and director, both on television and stage. In recent years she has been best known for playing the role of Ronnie Branning in EastEnders, but made her name in the early 1990s as Mandy Wilkins in Game On, and also represented the United Kingdom in...
in 1991.
A dramatic modernisation was introduced in 1995 in an attempt to boost the profile of the contest. Pop supremo Jonathan King
Jonathan King
Jonathan King is an English singer, songwriter, impresario and record producer. He is also the author of three novels, Bible Two and The Booker Prize Winner , and Beware the Monkey Man , and an autobiography, 65 My Life So Far .King first came to prominence as an...
was drafted in to make the event more modern. The 1995 event had a diverse range of songs and some relatively well-known acts performing, such as Londonbeat
Londonbeat
Londonbeat was originally a UK and American R&B and Dance band who scored a number of pop and dance hits in the early 1990s.-History:Londonbeat's career started in the Netherlands where "There's a Beat Going On" reached the Top 10, and then "9 A.M " which subsequently became a modest success in the...
who had a hit with I've Been Thinking About You, pop-combo Deuce
Deuce (band)
Deuce were a British pop group that found success in the mid 1990s. A two male, two female quartet, they released four Top 30 singles in the UK charts during 1995 and 1996, before splitting up in 1997.-Career:...
and Sox
Samantha Fox
Samantha Karen "Sam" Fox is an English dance-pop singer, actress, and former glamour model. In 1983, at the age of 16, she began her topless modeling career on Page Three of The Sun, and went on to become a popular pin-up girl...
, who featured singer and former Page 3 icon Samantha Fox
Samantha Fox
Samantha Karen "Sam" Fox is an English dance-pop singer, actress, and former glamour model. In 1983, at the age of 16, she began her topless modeling career on Page Three of The Sun, and went on to become a popular pin-up girl...
. All songs were presented on a special edition of Top Of The Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
prior to the live final. On the night, the well known artists were all beaten by rap act Love City Groove
Love City Groove
Love City Groove represented the United Kingdom in the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest, with a self-titled song after being the runaway winner in a public vote. The pop/rap song finished tenth with 76 points; and peaked at #7 on the UK Singles Chart. Love City Groove were formed by a collective...
, whose eponymous song could only manage a disappointing tenth in Dublin that year. On a positive note, the songs by Love City Groove
Love City Groove
Love City Groove represented the United Kingdom in the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest, with a self-titled song after being the runaway winner in a public vote. The pop/rap song finished tenth with 76 points; and peaked at #7 on the UK Singles Chart. Love City Groove were formed by a collective...
and Deuce
Deuce (band)
Deuce were a British pop group that found success in the mid 1990s. A two male, two female quartet, they released four Top 30 singles in the UK charts during 1995 and 1996, before splitting up in 1997.-Career:...
made the top 10 of the UK singles charts, while the entries from Dear Jon (One Gift of Love), Londonbeat
Londonbeat
Londonbeat was originally a UK and American R&B and Dance band who scored a number of pop and dance hits in the early 1990s.-History:Londonbeat's career started in the Netherlands where "There's a Beat Going On" reached the Top 10, and then "9 A.M " which subsequently became a modest success in the...
and Sox
Samantha Fox
Samantha Karen "Sam" Fox is an English dance-pop singer, actress, and former glamour model. In 1983, at the age of 16, she began her topless modeling career on Page Three of The Sun, and went on to become a popular pin-up girl...
reached the lower reaches of the charts.
The following year, a semi-final was introduced. All eight songs were performed on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
on 1 March, and the public voted to decide the four finalists. The results were announced the following day, but there was no information given on who finished where. On 8 March the final was held, with Gina G
Gina G
-Albums:*1997 Fresh! — #12 UK #40 Norway.*1998 Gina G Remix Album *2005 Get Up & Dance -Singles:...
winning very easily with her dance number Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit
Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit
"Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" is a song written by British songwriters Simon Tauber and Steve Rodway, and performed by Australian singer Gina G. Released as a single on 25 March 1996, it reached number one in the United Kingdom on 19 May 1996....
. The song became an instant hit in the charts, reaching number 1, but not in the Eurovision Contest itself. In Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Gina could only manage 8th place, but was perhaps consoled by her Europe-wide hit with the song, which also became one of the few Eurovision songs (and one of the relatively few dance songs) to be a major hit in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
This format was retained again, but with an added twist. All eight contestants would be heard on Ken Bruce
Ken Bruce
Kenneth Robertson Bruce is a British broadcaster known for his programme on BBC Radio 2, which is broadcast on weekdays from 9:30am until 12 noon.-Early life and career:...
's radio show on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
, with a public vote to decide the four finalists. The four would perform on The National Lottery Show until 1998, and then on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
in 1999. The final itself would just consist of repeats of the performances made in the above shows, in a special programme on a Sunday afternoon. This produced a win for Katrina and the Waves
Katrina and the Waves
Katrina and the Waves was an English pop rock band, best known for their 1985 hit "Walking on Sunshine" and their 1997 Eurovision Song Contest victory with the song "Love Shine a Light".-Pre-history: The Waves and Mama's Cookin' :...
in 1997, and a second place for Imaani in 1998, but disappointment in 1999 for Precious.
2000s
In 2000, the same format continued, but the final four songs were performed live in A Song For Europe, still shunted to a graveyard Sunday afternoon slot. The result proved disappointing. Nicki FrenchNicki French
Nicola S. French is a female English singer and dancer. She is best known for her 1995 dance cover version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart", and for representing the United Kingdom in 2000 at Eurovision in Stockholm.-Career:French provided backing vocals on Rose-Marie's 1992 album, Emotional Exposure...
gave what author John Kennedy O'Connor
John Kennedy O'Connor
John Kennedy O'Connor is an author, entertainment and political commentator, based in the United States. Born in North London, United Kingdom, he has written, reported and broadcast for numerous media organizations, as well as writing, creating and producing media events for a number of...
describes in his book The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History as a far from strong performance, despite her previous chart success and attained the UK's worst ever placing at the time, a mere 16th in Stockholm with "Don't Play That Song Again
Don't Play That Song Again
"Don't Play That Song Again" was the UK entry for the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest. The song was performed by Nicki French, already a well-known name, having had a worldwide hit in 1995 with a cover of Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart"...
". This format continued the following year, and another poor showing for the UK. Lindsay D
Lindsay Dracass
Lindsay Dracass is an English pop music singer.-Career:Dracass was discovered at 13 years old by Alan Wood...
only got one place higher than Nicki French in Copenhagen. The entries from Six Chix in 2000 and Luke Galliana, the latter of which didn't make the 2001 final, became minor hits, with Galliana just failing to make the Top 40, but becoming a popular hit on cable request line music channel The Box.
The 2002 A Song For Europe generated a lot of publicity, because three of the four acts that made the final were relatively well-known to TV viewers, albeit not necessarily for their singing ability. Surf 'n' Turf included Jonathan Maitland
Jonathan Maitland
Jonathan Maitland is a British broadcaster, writer and author.-Early life:He was educated at Epsom College, and holds a law degree from King's College London.-Journalism:...
who is a TV presenter of consumer advice shows such as Watchdog
Watchdog (TV series)
Watchdog is a BBC television series that investigates viewers' reports of problematic experiences with traders, retailers, and other companies around the UK...
and House of Horrors
House of Horrors
House of Horrors was a low-budget horror film released by Universal Pictures, starring Rondo Hatton as a madman, named "The Creeper." It was also known as Murder Mansion and in the United Kingdom as Joan Medford is Missing.-Plot:...
. Tricia Penrose
Tricia Penrose
Patricia "Tricia" Penrose is an English actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Gina Ward in ITV1's long-running 1960s drama Heartbeat, a role she played continuously from 1993 to 2010...
is an actress who plays Gina in the 60s retro drama Heartbeat on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
, and Jessica Garlick
Jessica Garlick
Jessica Julie Anne Garlick is a Welsh pop singer.Garlick made her first steps into showbusiness when she was 16. At that age she won the Welsh final of the TV talent show Star For A Night. The same year she also featured in Michael Barrymore's My Kind of Music...
had made the final stages of another ITV show Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
. The standard of songs was stronger than previous years, and Jessica Garlick had a runaway victory of nearly 70,000 votes with her ballad "Come Back
Come Back (Jessica Garlick song)
"Come Back" is a single released by Welsh pop singer Jessica Garlick.The song was the UK entry for the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest where it came in equal 3rd place. The song remains the highest position for the UK since "Where are You?" by Imaani in 1998 where that song reached a position of #2...
". The song was also a success in Eurovision with it finishing joint third with hosts Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
.
2003 saw disappointment, although a new voting format. The new voting system of regional televoting, where 9, 10 and 12 points were awarded to the top three songs, led to an unsuccessful winner. Jemini
Jemini
Jemini were a British pop group from Liverpool, best known for scoring "nul points" and finishing in last place with their song "Cry Baby" at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest in Latvia.-Early career:...
's "Cry Baby
Cry Baby (Jemini song)
"Cry Baby", written and composed by Martin Isherwood, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, and was performed by the duo Jemini...
" won by two points over "Help Me" by Emily Reed. Confidence in the UK entry was low for both fans and the public, and in the actual contest held in Riga, Jemini picked up the UK's worst-ever showing, scoring "nul points" and finishing last, due to a very poor performance, although some reports attempted to blame European disapproval of the US-UK invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
for the failure of any nation to give the UK even one point. As noted by author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor
John Kennedy O'Connor
John Kennedy O'Connor is an author, entertainment and political commentator, based in the United States. Born in North London, United Kingdom, he has written, reported and broadcast for numerous media organizations, as well as writing, creating and producing media events for a number of...
, with 26 entries in the Eurovision field, this made "Cry Baby" the least successful song in the history of the contest. No song in the Eurovision final has scored "nul points" since.
The 2004 selection was totally different. Gone was the Song For Europe name, replaced with Making Your Mind Up. The radio semi-final was also gone, and the six songs were performed live in a Saturday night show. This raised the profile of the competition, although there was criticism of the fact that four of the six acts were from reality TV shows. The winner, chosen by 70% regional televoting (regions awarding 0,2,4,6,8 and 12 points) and 30% SMS and Interactive voting, was James Fox
James Fox (singer)
James Fox, real name . is a pop music singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist. He represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul...
, who had finished fifth in the second series of Fame Academy
Fame Academy
Fame Academy is a televised competition to search for and educate new musical talents. The winner received a chance to become a successful music artist. The prize consisted of a £1m recording contract with a major record company, plus the use of a luxury apartment in London and a sports car for one...
, with a gentle ballad "Hold On To Our Love", written by Gary Miller and Tim Woodcock. Viewing figures were peaked at over 7 million for the results show. The song finished 16th at the contest in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
.
For 2005, six songs dropped to five, and the show was moved to an early Saturday evening slot on 5 March, to avoid a clash with Comic Relief Does Fame Academy
Fame Academy
Fame Academy is a televised competition to search for and educate new musical talents. The winner received a chance to become a successful music artist. The prize consisted of a £1m recording contract with a major record company, plus the use of a luxury apartment in London and a sports car for one...
and Natasha Kaplinsky
Natasha Kaplinsky
Natasha Margaret Kaplinsky is a British newsreader and television presenter, currently employed by ITV having previously worked for Channel 5, Sky News and the BBC...
replaced Gaby Roslin as co-host with Sir Terry Wogan. The press focused on two performers. Javine Hylton
Javine Hylton
Javine Dionne Hylton , often known simply as Javine, is an English singer. She is most notable for representing the UK at Eurovision Song Contest 2005; beating competition favourite, model Katie Price, for the ticket to Kiev...
who is a relatively well-known urban singer, and Katie Price
Jordan (Katie Price)
Katie Price , previously known under the pseudonym Jordan, is an English media personality, author, former glamour model, occasional singer and businesswoman....
, aka Jordan, a famous glamour model. The other contestants included former 3SL
3SL
3SL were a short lived Welsh pop vocal group made up of Steve, Ant and Andy Scott-Lee. They are the brothers of former Steps singer, Lisa Scott-Lee, who also managed the group. They originated from Rhyl in North Wales. The group's first single, "Take It Easy", reached number 11 in the UK Singles...
bandmember Andy Scott-Lee
Andy Scott-Lee
Andy Scott-Lee is a Welsh pop star, who is an ex-member of the group 3SL. After the group broke up, he appeared in the second series of Pop Idol, making it to the final seven. Scott-Lee is now a member of the group G*Mania. Scott-Lee's estranged wife is the former Liberty X member, Michelle Heaton...
, the 1996 British Eurovision entry Gina G
Gina G
-Albums:*1997 Fresh! — #12 UK #40 Norway.*1998 Gina G Remix Album *2005 Get Up & Dance -Singles:...
and unknown opera trio Tricolore. The voting itself was the same format as the previous year, but this time an online jury was added to decide between the contestants to take account of the views of those watching in the rest of Europe. After an exciting voting sequence, Javine came out on top with her ethno-urban song "Touch My Fire
Touch My Fire
"Touch My Fire" is the fifth single by UK R&B star Javine. The single was the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest for 2005 and her first for Island Records. It was the first new material from Javine since her debut album, "Surrender", was released in 2004.The single reached the #18 in the UK...
", although she also caused some controversy when she briefly fell out of her top during an energetic dance routine. At the 50th Eurovision Song Contest held in Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
, Javine finished 22nd out of 24 participants in the final, the UK's second poorest finish ever.
In February 2006 it was announced that artists competing in the 2006 contest
Eurovision Song Contest 2006
The Eurovision Song Contest 2006 was the 51st Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Olympic Indoor Hall in Athens, Greece on 18 May and 20 May 2006 . The hosting national broadcaster of the contest was Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi . The Finnish band Lordi won the contest with the song "Hard Rock...
would include Kym Marsh
Kym Marsh
Kimberley Gail Marsh is an English actress and singer.- Early life :Marsh was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester and raised in Garswood, in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside...
and Anthony Costa, both relatively well-known in the UK for their past involvement with music bands (the former appearing in Hear'say
Hear'Say
Hear'Say were a British manufactured pop group created in February 2001 from the winners of Popstars, an ITV reality TV show based on a New Zealand show of the same name. They enjoyed huge success with their debut single "Pure and Simple", helped by the publicity surrounding Popstars, the first of...
and the latter in boy band Blue
Blue (boy band)
Blue are an English pop vocal group, whose members are Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan, Duncan James and Antony Costa. Blue originally formed in 2001 before splitting in 2005. In 2009, it was confirmed that the band would reform. In April 2009, the group reunited and a Best of Blue Tour was announced...
). Following the format of the previous year (and with six songs this time), Making Your Mind Up returned in 2006 in a prime-time Saturday evening slot, and was broadcast on March 4 on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
and Natasha Kaplinsky
Natasha Kaplinsky
Natasha Margaret Kaplinsky is a British newsreader and television presenter, currently employed by ITV having previously worked for Channel 5, Sky News and the BBC...
once again presented and were accompanied by a 'Celebrity Jury' that included chat-show host Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross (television presenter)
Jonathan Stephen Ross, OBE is an English television and radio presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross from 2001 until he left the BBC in 2010. Ross began hosting a new chat show on ITV1 starting 3 September 2011...
, popstar Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Michelle Lee Osbourne is an English media personality, television personality, host, judge, fashion designer, singer, and actress, best known for being the daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne...
and Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
presenter Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show...
. The eventual winner of the 2006 contest (after the 7 tele-juries from around the UK and mobile and web votes) was Daz Sampson
Daz Sampson
Darren "Daz" Sampson is a British dance music producer, musician and singer-songwriter.Up until 2006, when he represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, Sampson was best known for his commercial dance music, often reworkings of older songs as a solo act and as a member of various...
and his song "Teenage Life". Yet another low result was produced for the United Kingdom, as Daz finished 19th in the contest out of 24 competing countries.
During a press conference on 28 February 2007, the BBC confirmed that the artists taking part in Making Your Mind Up would include Big Brovaz
Big Brovaz
Big Brovaz were an R&B / Hip hop music group from London, England in their seven year career they released two studio albums and eight singles. There were three line up changes with two of the original members leaving half way through shaking up the dynamics of the group...
, an RnB
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
group who had 4 UK Top 10 singles in 2002-2003, Brian Harvey
Brian Harvey
Brian Harvey is an English musician and formerly lead singer of pop band East 17.Harvey was born in Walthamstow, London, and attended Sir George Monoux School from 1988-90.-Career:...
, a former member of the boy band East 17
East 17
East 17 are a pop boy band comprising Tony Mortimer, John Hendy and Terry Coldwell. Tony Mortimer is the group's frontman and primary songwriter. Formed in Walthamstow, London in 1991, the group have achieved eighteen Top 20 singles and four Top 10 albums, and were one of the UK's most popular boy...
; Cyndi
Cyndi Almouzni
Cyndi Almouzni , professionally known as Cyndi, is a French singer who hails from Marseille.- Career :When she was 14, Cyndi won a local talent contest and entered the national televised contest finals held in Paris. This was the start of her professional singing career. She has performed in many...
; Justin Hawkins
Justin Hawkins
Justin David Hawkins is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known for being the lead singer and lead guitarist of The Darkness, alongside his brother, guitarist Dan Hawkins...
of The Darkness, performing a duet with Beverlei Brown
Beverlei Brown
Beverlei Brown is a singer that in 2007 sang a duet with Justin Hawkins in their "Making Your Mind Up" entry in hope of representing the UK in Eurovision Song Contest 2007...
; Liz McClarnon
Liz McClarnon
Elizabeth Margaret "Liz" McClarnon is an English pop singer, dancer and television presenter. She was a member of the group Atomic Kitten and originated the role of Paulette in the first UK tour of Legally Blonde the musical....
, formerly of girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten were an English girl group from Liverpool, first established in 1997. Created by Andy McCluskey, the final line-up, and most commercially successful, consisted of Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon, and Jenny Frost...
; and Scooch
Scooch
Scooch are a British bubblegum dance group, comprising performers Natalie Powers, Caroline Barnes, David Ducasse and Russ Spencer.Scooch represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki with their song "Flying the Flag ", finishing 23rd out of 24 entries after...
, the eventual winners with "Flying the Flag (for You)
Flying the Flag (for You)
"Flying the Flag " is a song performed by British pop/bubblegum dance group Scooch.The song was entered and won the British national selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up in 2007, and subsequently represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song...
". Scooch sang their entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007
Eurovision Song Contest 2007
The Eurovision Song Contest 2007 was the 52nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was won by first-time appearance as an independent country Serbia and was held at the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland from 10 May to 12 May. The host broadcaster was YLE.Finland earned the right to host...
on 12 May 2007 in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and finished in second to last place with 19 points, ahead of Ireland placed last.
For the first time, the show was filmed at The Maidstone Studios
The Maidstone Studios
The Maidstone Studios, formerly called TVS Television Centre is a television studio complex with radio studio facilities based at Vinters Park in Maidstone, Kent UK...
in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. The hour long final was broadcast at 7:30pm on 17 March 2007 on BBC One, with the half hour results show showing at 9:30pm on the same date. Although this was past the 12 March cut-off set by the EBU, the BBC were given a special extension because the EBU were made aware of this over a year in advance.
The show ended in disarray when Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show...
shouted out that the winner was Scooch, while co-host Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
simultaneously announced the winner to be Cyndi. After some confusion from both performers, each thinking the other had won, it was revealed that the true winner was Scooch.
In 2008 the show's name was changed to Eurovision: Your Decision. It was screened in two parts in March 2008, and was hosted by Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Anne I. Winkleman is an English television presenter, film critic, radio personality and journalist.- Early life and family :...
and Sir Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
. The six competing acts were paired as girl groups (LoveShy and The Revelations
The Revelations
The Revelations are a British based girl group formed in 2005.The members are of British, Swedish and Portuguese extraction, consisting of Swedish blonde Annika Magnberg , Portuguese brunette Sarah Vitorino , and redhead Louise Masters...
), soloists (Michelle Gayle
Michelle Gayle
Michelle Patricia Gayle is a British recording artist, actress and author. Gayle had success as a Soul and R&B singer in the 1990s. She achieved seven Top 40 singles in the UK Singles Chart, her two biggest hits to date being "Sweetness" and "Do You Know"...
and Andy Abraham
Andy Abraham
Andrew Abraham is an English singer. He was the runner-up in the second UK series of TV talent show The X Factor in 2005 to Shayne Ward, and also represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.Before applying for The X Factor, Abraham was a refuse collector...
), and "Joseph and Maria" contestants (Rob McVeigh
Rob McVeigh
Robert "Rob" McVeigh, born 28 April 1983, is a singer from Rotherham, United Kingdom. A builder by trade, McVeigh also has a National Diploma in Performing Arts from Rotherham College of Arts and Technology...
and Simona Armstrong
Simona Armstrong
Simona Armstrong is a Romanian born actress and singer who lives and works mainly in the UK.Between 2004 and 2007, she made a few television acting appearances in the UK, notably in Doctors, Sinchronicity and A Touch Of Frost. On stage Armstrong has appeared in Fame and Little Shop Of Horrors...
) from the BBC talent shows Any Dream Will Do
Any Dream Will Do (TV series)
Any Dream Will Do, often known as 'Joseph', was a 2007 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. It searched for a new, unknown lead to play Joseph in a West End revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.The show...
and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? was a British television talent series, that was broadcast on Saturday evenings on BBC One between 29 July and 16 September 2006. It documented the search for a new, undiscovered musical theatre performer to play the role of Maria von Trapp in the 2006 Andrew...
. A panel of three judges (John Barrowman
John Barrowman
John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
, Carrie Grant
Carrie Grant
Carrie Grant is a British vocal coach and session singer. She is best known for her work on the television talent contests Fame Academy, Comic Relief does Fame Academy and Pop Idol, together with her husband and colleague David Grant. She is also personal voice coach to many successful pop stars...
, and Terry Wogan) decided which artists to put through to a semi-final after each pair had performed. Terry Wogan then allowed one of the rejected acts through as a "wild card" before viewers were invited to vote by phone to decide which two would perform again in the final. The two finalists chosen by the viewers were Michelle Gayle singing "Woo (You Make Me)", and Andy Abraham singing "Even If
Even If
"Even If" sung by Andy Abraham, was the United Kingdom's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, Belgrade, Serbia. It was released on 19 May 2008, stated by his official website....
". Despite having been originally eliminated at the first stage, Terry Wogan's "wild card" pick turned out to be the winner when the viewers voted Andy Abraham the victor with "Even If
Even If
"Even If" sung by Andy Abraham, was the United Kingdom's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, Belgrade, Serbia. It was released on 19 May 2008, stated by his official website....
".
This received a total of 14 points in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Eurovision Song Contest 2008
The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Contest. It was hosted in Belgrade, Serbia after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinki, Finland. This year was the first contest to have two semi-finals which were held on 20 and 22 May, and the final held on 24 May 2008...
on 24 May 2008 in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, finishing in last place, although sharing the same score with Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
(24th) and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
(23rd).
The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
announced in a televised call for talent on 18 October 2008, that in 2009 there would be another change to the national final. The show was renamed Eurovision: Your Country Needs You, hosted by Graham Norton
Graham Norton
Graham William Walker, known by his stage name Graham Norton , is an Irish actor, comedian, television presenter and columnist...
, and followed a format similar to popular BBC talent shows I'd Do Anything
I'd Do Anything (BBC TV series)
I'd Do Anything is a 2008 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom and broadcast on BBC One. It premièred on 15 March 2008...
and Any Dream Will Do
Any Dream Will Do (TV series)
Any Dream Will Do, often known as 'Joseph', was a 2007 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. It searched for a new, unknown lead to play Joseph in a West End revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.The show...
. The multi-week format had members of the public (amateur or professional) compete to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Eurovision Song Contest 2009
The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest and was hosted by Russia after their win in 2008. It took place between 12 and 16 May 2009 at the Olympic Indoor Arena in Moscow, Russia....
, which was held in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. In the final the three remaining contestants performed the song "It's My Time", composed by Andrew Lloyd-Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
with lyrics by Diane Warren
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001...
. The winner of the contest was Jade Ewen
Jade Ewen
Jade Almarie Louise Ewen is an English singer, songwriter, actress and member of the Sugababes. Ewen began her singing career in a girl group named Trinity Stone signed to Sony BMG in 2005, but they disbanded in 2007 with no album released...
who went on to score a credible fifth place at the Eurovision final in Moscow.
2010s
For 2010, the BBC announced on 29 January 2010, that song writer and music producer Pete WatermanPete Waterman
Peter Alan Waterman OBE is an English record producer, occasional songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting team he wrote and produced many hit singles...
would be writing the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
in Oslo, Norway, on 29 May. Waterman's writing partner was Mike Stock and the singer was chosen on 12 March, in a live show featuring six potential artists broadcast on BBC One, hosted by Graham Norton. Waterman chose three of the six acts to perform his song "That Sounds Good To Me
That Sounds Good to Me
"That Sounds Good to Me" is a song written and composed by Pete Waterman, Mike Stock and Steve Crosby that finished last when it represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 held in Oslo, Norway...
", with the televiewers then selecting the winner. The winner was Josh Dubovie
Josh Dubovie
Josh James Dubovie is a British singer. He represented the UK at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Oslo, Norway in May 2010, finishing last with his performance of "That Sounds Good to Me", written by writers and producers Mike Stock and Pete Waterman of Stock Aitken Waterman and Steve...
, who represented the UK in Oslo on 29 May and finished last with 10 points.
On 29 January 2011, the BBC confirmed that boy band Blue have been chosen to represent the UK in the 2011
Eurovision Song Contest 2011
The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 was the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest and was won by Eldar & Nigar performing "Running Scared" for Azerbaijan. The event took place in the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, following Germany's win in the previous year...
contest in Düsseldorf with the composition "I Can
I Can (Blue song)
"I Can" is a song by British pop group Blue. It was the United Kingdom's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 which was held in Düsseldorf, Germany. The song came 11th scoring 100 points. It is the first time in Eurovision Song Contest history that the British entry has been decided...
" written by Duncan James, Lee Ryan, Ciaron Bell, Ben Collier, Ian Hope, Liam Keenan and 'StarSign'. Band member Anthony Costa had tried to represent the UK in 2006 as a soloist, placing 2nd in the heat behind Daz Sampson
Daz Sampson
Darren "Daz" Sampson is a British dance music producer, musician and singer-songwriter.Up until 2006, when he represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, Sampson was best known for his commercial dance music, often reworkings of older songs as a solo act and as a member of various...
. Other Blue personnel Lee Ryan
Lee Ryan
Lee Ryan is an English singer-songwriter, actor and member of the British boy band Blue.-Early life:...
had written one of the finalists in the 2005 UK heat and Duncan James
Duncan James
Duncan Matthew James Inglis is an English singer, actor and television presenter. He is best known as a member of the boyband Blue.-Early life:...
was a panellist in the 2009 heat, going on to announce the UK scores at the Eurovision final from Moscow. James posted in a separate twitter message that they have pre-selected their own song. The process thus excludes the UK viewing public from any participation in the British Eurovision selection for the first time. Blue became the first UK representatives since The Shadows
The Shadows
The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
in 1975 to have had multiple no.1 singles in the UK chart prior to appearing in Eurovision, and the first since Sonia in 1993 to have had a no.1 at all. A documentary entitled Eurovision: Your Country Needs Blue was produced for BBC One broadcast on Saturday 16 April 2011. The group placed 11th at the Eurovision final with 100 points and peaked at no.16 in the UK singles chart.
Festival Of British Popular Songs (1957)
| Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1957 The United Kingdom took part in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 1957. The country was represented by Patricia Bredin with the song “All” written by Reynell Wreford and Alan Stranks. The entry was chosen during a national final called A song for Europe... |
Patricia Bredin Patricia Bredin Patricia Bredin is a British actress and one-time singer from Hull, England, who was best known as the very first United Kingdom representative in the Eurovision Song Contest. She took part in the 1957 contest, held in Frankfurt, and finished in seventh place out of ten entries with the song All,... |
"All All (song) "All" was the United Kingdom entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1957 performed in English by Patricia Bredin. At a length of 1:52 minutes, it has the distinction of being the shortest entry in the history of the Contest as well as being the first song to be performed in English.The song was... " |
Not recorded or released | 7th |
Eurovision Song Contest British Final (1959–1960)
| Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1959 The United Kingdom held a national preliminary round to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1959. The semi-finals were held on February 2 and February 5, 1959 and the final was held on February 7, 1959... |
Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson were a popular English husband-and-wife team of entertainers, during the 1950s and early 1960s.-Early days:They were both successful solo singers before their marriage in 1955... |
"Sing, Little Birdie Sing, Little Birdie "Sing, Little Birdie" is the title of the 1959 UK Eurovision entrant which took second place at Eurovision 1959. Performed by husband-and-wife duo Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, "Sing, Little Birdie" was the first UK Eurovision entrant to be recorded reaching #12 UK.Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson... " |
12 | 2nd |
| 1960 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1960 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1960. The semi-finals were held on 2 February and 4 February 1960 and the final was held on 6 February 1960... |
Bryan Johnson Bryan Johnson (singer) Bryan Johnson was an English singer and actor.Having been eliminated in the semi finals of the 1957 UK heats for Eurovision, he later emulated his brother and sister-in-law, Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson, by coming second in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960, with "Looking High, High, High"... |
"Looking High, High, High Looking High, High, High "Looking High, High, High" is a song by British singer Bryan Johnson, that represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 1960, performed in English.... " |
20 | 2nd |
A Song for Europe (1961–1995)
| Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1961 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest. It was held on February 15, 1961 and presented by Katie Boyle. The songs were voted on by a total of 120 jurors aged between 19 and 40... |
The Allisons Allisons The Allisons were an English pop duo consisting of:*Bob Day *John Alford... |
"Are You Sure? Are You Sure? "Are You Sure?" is a song by British pop duo The Allisons, that represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 1961, performed in English.... " |
2 | 2nd |
| 1962 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1962 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1962. It was held on February 11, 1962 and presented by David Jacobs.-Results: Artist Song Place Points Johnny Angel... |
Ronnie Carroll Ronnie Carroll Ronnie Carroll is a Northern Irish singer and entertainer.-Career:... |
"Ring-a-Ding Girl Ring-a-Ding Girl "Ring-a-Ding Girl" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:Bunny Blake is a movie star. Her hometown fan club sends her a magic ring, in which she sees the faces of her friends and family from the small town in which she grew up... " |
46 | 4th |
| 1963 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1963 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1963. It was held on February 24, 1963 and presented by David Jacobs.-Results: Artist Song Place Anne Shelton... |
Ronnie Carroll | "Say Wonderful Things Say Wonderful Things (song) "Say Wonderful Things" is a popular song with music by Philip Green and lyrics by Norman Newell, published in 1963. It was the United Kingdom's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1963, held in London. The singer was Ronnie Carroll, who also represented the UK the year before... " |
6 | 4th |
| 1964 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1964 The United Kingdom held a national selection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1964. It was held on February 7, 1964 and presented by David Jacobs.-Results: Artist Song Place Points Matt Monro Choose 4... |
Matt Monro Matt Monro Matt Monro was an English singer who became one of the most popular entertainers on the international music scene during the 1960s... |
"I Love the Little Things I Love the Little Things "I Love the Little Things" was the British entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1964, performed in English by Matt Monro. The song was written by Tony Hatch... " |
Failed to chart | 2nd |
| 1965 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1965 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1965. It was held on January 29, 1965 and presented by David Jacobs.-Results: Artist Song Place Points Kathy Kirby... |
Kathy Kirby Kathy Kirby Kathy Kirby was an English singer who was reportedly the highest-paid female singer of her generation. She is best known for her cover version of Doris Day's "Secret Love" and for representing the United Kingdom in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest, where she came in second place... |
"I Belong I Belong (Kathy Kirby song) "I Belong" was the United Kingdom' entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1965 held in Naples at March 21, 1965.Performed in English by Kathy Kirby, the song is sung from the perspective of a woman who express your love by someone, she has loved for the fist time in her life:"But now my heart has... " |
36 | 2nd |
| 1966 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1966 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1966. It was held on January 27, 1966 and presented by David Jacobs... |
Kenneth McKellar Kenneth McKellar (singer) Kenneth McKellar was a Scottish tenor.-Career:McKellar studied forestry at the University of Aberdeen, after graduation working for the Scottish Forestry Commission. He later trained at the Royal College of Music as an opera singer... |
"A Man Without Love A Man Without Love "A Man Without Love" was the British entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1966, performed in English by Kenneth McKellar.The song is a ballad, with McKellar comparing a man without love and a man with love... " |
30 | 9th |
| 1967 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1967 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1967. It was held on February 25, 1967 and presented by Rolf Harris. Harris's weekly show had been the showcase for the songs in the competition, which had featured in successive weeks... |
Sandie Shaw Sandie Shaw Sandie Shaw is an English pop singer, who was one of the most successful British female singers of the 1960s. In 1967 she was the first UK act to win the Eurovision Song Contest... |
"Puppet on a String Puppet on a String "Puppet on a String" is the name of the Eurovision Song Contest-winning song in 1967 by British singer Sandie Shaw. It was her thirteenth UK single release.... " |
1 | 1st |
| 1968 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1968 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1968. It was held on January 27, 1968 and presented by Cilla Black.-Results: Artist Song Place Points* Cliff Richard... |
Cliff Richard Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide.... |
"Congratulations Congratulations (song) "Congratulations" is a song written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter as the UK entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1968 on 6 April with Cliff Richard performing.... " |
1 | 2nd |
| 1969 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1969 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1969. It was held on February 22, 1969 and presented by Michael Aspel... |
Lulu Lulu (singer) Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day... |
"Boom Bang-a-Bang Boom Bang-a-Bang "Boom Bang-a-Bang" was the United Kingdom entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1969It was sung by Lulu, and was co-written by Alan Moorhouse and Peter Warne aka Michael Julien, the latter of who also wrote "Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me" for Shirley Bassey.... " |
2 | 1st |
| 1970 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1970 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1970. It was held on March 7, 1970 and presented by Cliff Richard.-Results: Artist Song Place Points* Mary Hopkin... |
Mary Hopkin Mary Hopkin Mary Hopkin , credited on some recordings as Mary Visconti, is a Welsh folk singer best known for her 1968 UK number one single "Those Were The Days". She was one of the first musicians to sign to The Beatles' Apple label.... |
"Knock Knock, Who's There? Knock Knock, Who's There? "Knock, Knock Who's There?", written and composed by John Carter and Geoff Stephens, produced by Mickie Most, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1970, performed by the Welsh singer Mary Hopkin.... " |
2 | 2nd |
| 1971 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1971 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1971. It was held on February 20, 1971 and presented by Cliff Richard.-Results: Artist Song Place Clodagh Rodgers... |
Clodagh Rodgers Clodagh Rodgers Clodagh Rodgers is a singer and actress from Northern Ireland, best known for her hit single, "Jack in the Box".-Career:... |
"Jack in the Box Jack in the Box (song) "Jack in the Box", written by David Myers and composed by John Worsley, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1971, performed by the Northern Irish singer Clodagh Rodgers.... " |
4 | 4th |
| 1972 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1972 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1972. It was held on February 12, 1972 and presented by Cliff Richard.-Results: Artist Song Place Points The New Seekers... |
The New Seekers The New Seekers The New Seekers are a British-based pop group, formed in 1969 by Keith Potger after the break-up of his group, The Seekers. The idea was that the New Seekers would appeal to the same market as the original Seekers, but their music had rock as well as folk influences... |
"Beg, Steal or Borrow Beg, Steal or Borrow "Beg, Steal or Borrow" was the British entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1972, performed in English by The New Seekers.The song was composed and written by Tony Cole, Steve Wolfe and Graeme Hall. In the night of the contest, the song was directed by David Mackay.The song is directed to a... " |
2 | 2nd |
| 1973 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1973 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1973. It was held on February 24, 1973 and presented by Cilla Black.... |
Cliff Richard | "Power to All Our Friends Power to All Our Friends "Power to All Our Friends" is a song by Cliff Richard. He entered it as the British entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1973. It came third.... " |
4 | 3rd |
| 1974 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1974. It was held on February 23, 1974 and presented by Jimmy Savile.-Results: Artist Song Place Points Olivia Newton-John... |
Olivia Newton-John Olivia Newton-John Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA... |
"Long Live Love Long Live Love (song) "Long Live Love" was the British entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 in Brighton, United Kingdom. It was sung by Olivia Newton-John in English.... " |
11 | 4th |
| 1975 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1975 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1975. It was held on February 15, 1975 and presented by Lulu.-Results: Artist Song Place Points The Shadows... |
The Shadows The Shadows The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'... |
"Let Me Be the One Let Me Be the One (Eurovision song) Let me Be The One was the British entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1975, written by Paul Curtis and performed in English by the band The Shadows.... " |
12 | 2nd |
| 1976 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1976 occurring February 25 1976 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. For the first time since 1964 a single act did not perform each of the nominated songs with rather each song being... |
Brotherhood of Man Brotherhood of Man Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s, most notably by winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me".... |
"Save Your Kisses for Me Save Your Kisses For Me "Save Your Kisses for Me" was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, performed for the United Kingdom by Brotherhood of Man in The Hague, Netherlands. The lyrics and music were written by Tony Hiller, Lee Sheriden, and Martin Lee, the latter two being members of the band... " |
1 | 1st |
| 1977 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977 Playing host to the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, the United Kingdom was expected to, and did, send an entry to the Contest, which was held in Wembley, London.... |
Lynsey de Paul Lynsey De Paul Lynsey de Paul is an English singer-songwriter. Allmusic journalist, Craig Harris stated, "one of the first successful female singer-songwriters in England, de Paul has had an illustrious career".-Early life:De Paul was born to Meta and Herbert Rubin, a property developer... & Mike Moran |
"Rock Bottom Rock Bottom (Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran song) "Rock Bottom" was the British entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, performed in English by Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran.The song says that when we are in a bad situation we should work to solve problems and not be pessimistic about tragedies... " |
19 | 2nd |
| 1978 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1978 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1978. It was held on March 31, 1978 at the Royal Albert Hall and presented by Terry Wogan.-Results:... |
Co-Co Co-Co (band) Co-Co were a five piece British band who represented the UK for the Eurovision Song Contest 1978, staged at the Palais de Congrès in Paris, France, on 22 April 1978, with the song, "The Bad Old Days". The song was written by the husband and wife team of Stephanie de Sykes and Stuart Slater... |
"The Bad Old Days The Bad Old Days "'The Bad Old Days" was the British entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1978, performed in English by Co-Co.The song, written by Stephanie de Sykes and Stuart Slater was an uptempo love song, with the narrator recalling 'the bad old days' before they met their current partner.On the night of the... " |
13 | 11th |
| 1979 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 1979. A Song for Europe 1979 was planned to take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 8 March. After a day's rehearsals at the Royal Albert Hall a strike by BBC technicians stopped... |
Black Lace Black Lace (band) Black Lace is a British Euro pop band, best known for novelty party records, including their biggest hit, "Agadoo". The band first came to the public eye after being selected to represent the UK in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, in which they finished seventh with the song "Mary Ann"... |
"Mary Ann Mary Ann (song) "Mary Ann" was the British entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979, performed in English by Black Lace.The song is about a man who loves a woman called Mary Ann, but can't express his sentiment to her.... " |
42 | 7th |
| 1980 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 The 1980 "A Song For Europe" contest was held on March 26, 1980 , at the BBC Television Theatre in Shepherd's Bush and hosted by a dinner-suited Terry Wogan. An offscreen orchestra was used, under the charge of John Coleman as conductor... |
Prima Donna Prima Donna (band) Prima Donna were the United Kingdom representatives in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980. The group comprised sisters Kate Robbins and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn, Alan Coates and Lance Aston... |
"Love Enough for Two Love Enough for Two "Love Enough for Two" was the British entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980, performed in English by Prima Donna.The song is uptempo and about the love between two people.... " |
48 | 3rd |
| 1981 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 The United Kingdom and the British Broadcasting Corporation held a national final titled "A Song for Europe 1981" to choose who would represent them in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981. "A Song for Europe 1981" was held on 11 March 1981 where Bucks Fizz was chosen with "Making Your Mind Up" as the... |
Bucks Fizz Bucks Fizz (band) Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and... |
"Making Your Mind Up Making Your Mind Up "Making Your Mind Up" is a song by British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was the winner of the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest and a UK Number-one single... " |
1 | 1st |
| 1982 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982 The United Kingdom was represented in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982 by Bardo with the song "One Step Further". It was chosen as the British entry through the A Song for Europe national selection process and placed seventh at Eurovision, receiving 76 points.-A Song for Europe 1982:The television... |
Bardo Bardo (band) Bardo was a male/female pop music duo formed to represent the United Kingdom in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "One Step Further".... |
"One Step Further One Step Further "One Step Further", written by Simon Jefferies, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, performed by Sally Ann Triplett and Stephen Fischer, comprising the duo Bardo.- Background :... " |
2 | 7th |
| 1983 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1983 The United Kingdom was represented in the Eurovision Song Contest 1983 by Sweet Dreams with the song "I'm Never Giving Up". It was chosen as the British entry through the A Song for Europe national selection process and placed sixth at Eurovision, receiving 79 points.-A Song for Europe 1983:The... |
Sweet Dreams Sweet Dreams (band) Sweet Dreams were a British vocal trio comprising teenagers Carrie Gray, Helen Kray and Bobby McVay who represented the UK in Eurovision 1983 with the song "I'm Never Giving Up".... |
"I'm Never Giving Up I'm Never Giving Up "I'm Never Giving Up", written and composed by Ron Roker, Jan Pulsford, and Phil Wigger, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1983, performed by the trio Sweet Dreams.... " |
21 | 6th |
| 1984 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1984 The United Kingdom was represented in the Eurovision Song Contest 1984 by Belle and the Devotions with the song "Love Games". It was chosen as the British entry through the A Song for Europe national selection process and placed seventh at Eurovision, receiving 63 points.-A Song for Europe 1984:The... |
Belle and the Devotions | "Love Games Love Games (Belle and the Devotions song) "Love Games", written and composed by Paul Curtis and Graham Sacher, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1984, performed by the trio Belle and the Devotions, which was headed by Kit Rolfe.... " |
11 | 7th |
| 1985 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 The 1985 edition of A Song for Europe was held at the BBC Television Centre on April 9, hosted by a suited Terry Wogan. The theme music was Te Deum... |
Vikki | "Love Is Love Is (Vikki Watson song) "Love Is", written and composed by James Kaleth and Vikki Watson, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1985, performed by the latter composer, Vikki Watson, credited at Eurovision as Vikki.... " |
49 | 4th |
| 1986 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 The United Kingdom was present at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986, held in Bergen, Norway.The British national final to select their entry, A Song for Europe 1986, was held on 2 April at the BBC Television Centre in London, and was hosted by Terry Wogan... |
Ryder Ryder (band) Ryder was a purpose-made pop group led by Maynard Williams whose primary purpose was to represent the United Kingdom at the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest in Bergen, Norway. Ryder performed the song "Runner in the Night" which was placed 7th. They were criticised in the media for being a particularly... |
"Runner in the Night Runner in the Night "Runner in the Night", written by Maureen Darbyshire and composed by Brian Wade, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986, performed by the sextet Ryder, led by Maynard Williams.... " |
Failed to chart | 7th |
| 1987 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1987 -A Song for Europe 1987:The contest was held on 10 April 1987, live from the BBC Television Centre, London. The contest was hosted by Terry Wogan... |
Rikki Richard Peebles Richard Peebles , working under the stage name Rikki, is a Glaswegian singer who won the BBC's A Song for Europe contest in 1987 with his own composition, "Only the light". Although he'd been writing and performing with the group Marmalade, at the time he was picked to represent the UK, he was a... |
"Only the Light Only the Light "Only the Light", written and composed by Richard Peebles, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1987, performed by Peebles himself, who was credited at Eurovision as Rikki.... " |
Failed to chart | 13th |
| 1988 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988 The United Kingdom participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988 with its entry "Go" performed by Scott Fitzgerald and written by Julie Forsyth. The song was chosen through the "A Song for Europe" national final which consisted of eight songs in 1988... |
Scott Fitzgerald Scott Fitzgerald (singer) Scott Fitzgerald is a Scottish singer, who had his biggest success in the 1970s and later represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest.-Career:... |
"Go Go (Scott Fitzgerald song) "Go", written and composed by Julie Forsyth, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1988, performed by Scott Fitzgerald.... " |
52 | 2nd |
| 1989 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989 -Songs:A Song for Europe was staged on March 24, 1989, featuring eight songs and hosted, by Terry Wogan.For the second year running, the BBC convened a panel of 'experts' to pass comment on each of the songs. The panel comprised Deke Arlon, Gary Davies, Leslie Bricusse and former Eurovision winner... |
Live Report Live Report Live Report, originally called Midnight Blue, composed of Ray Caruana, John Beeby, Brian Hodgson, Maggie Jay and Peter May. They were finalists in the BBC Television's A Song for Europe contest in 1989 with the song, "Why Do I Always Get It Wrong". It scored 111,996 votes, compared to runner-up... |
"Why Do I Always Get it Wrong? Why Do I Always Get it Wrong? "Why Do I Always Get it Wrong?", written by Brian Hodgson and composed by John Beeby, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1989, performed by the sextet Live Report, led by Ray Caruana.... " |
73 | 2nd |
| 1990 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990 The final selection of the entry for the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990 was made by popular vote from a choice of eight songs. The 1990 edition of A Song for Europe was held in London on March 30. Terry Wogan presided over the eight finalists and a panel of 'experts' was... |
Emma Emma (singer) Emma is a Welsh singer who sang the UK entry, "Give a Little Love Back to the World", in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990.... |
"Give a Little Love Back to the World Give a Little Love Back to the World "Give a Little Love Back to the World", written and composed by Paul Curtis, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1990, performed by Emma... " |
33 | 6th |
| 1991 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1991 Samantha Janus represented United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1991 with the Paul Curtis-written song "A Message to Your Heart", which was placed 10th.-A Song for Europe:... |
Samantha Janus Samantha Janus Samantha Zoe Womack is an English actress, singer and director, both on television and stage. In recent years she has been best known for playing the role of Ronnie Branning in EastEnders, but made her name in the early 1990s as Mandy Wilkins in Game On, and also represented the United Kingdom in... |
"A Message to Your Heart A Message to Your Heart "A Message to Your Heart", written and composed by Paul Curtis, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1991, performed by Samantha Janus... " |
30 | 10th |
| 1992 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1992 The United Kingdom competed at the Eurovision Song Contest 1992 with Michael Ball and the song "One Step Out of Time".-National final:The British Broadcasting Corporation continued to use a national final to select their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest... |
Michael Ball Michael Ball (singer) Michael Ashley Ball, born 27 June 1962) is a British actor, singer, and radio and TV presenter who is best known for the song "Love Changes Everything" and musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Edna Turnblad... |
"One Step Out of Time One Step Out of Time "One Step Out of Time", written and composed by Paul Davies, Tony Ryan, and Victor Stratton, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1992, performed by Michael Ball.... " |
20 | 2nd |
| 1993 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1993 Sonia represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1993, singing "Better the Devil You Know". The song, chosen from a selection broadcast on A Song for Europe, was placed second in the contest.-Performer:... |
Sonia | "Better the Devil You Know Better the Devil You Know (Sonia song) "Better the Devil You Know" is a Pop song written and produced by Brian Teasdale and Dean Collinson for Sonia. This single was released in May 1993 as the second and final single from Sonia's third album Better the Devil You Know . This single's B-side "Not What I Call Love" appeared on Sonia's... " |
15 | 2nd |
| 1994 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1994 For the Eurovision Song Contest 1994, the UK entered "Lonely Symphony ", performed by Frances Ruffelle. It received 63 points and 10th place.The voting for the UK's entry took place on March 18, 1994 in a show hosted by Terry Wogan... |
Frances Ruffelle Frances Ruffelle Frances Ruffelle is an English musical theatre actress and recording artist. Her mother is Sylvia Young, the founder of the famous theatre school at which Frances trained, and her daughter is recording artist Eliza Doolittle. Her younger sister is actress Alison Ruffelle... |
"We Will Be Free (Lonely Symphony)" | 25 | 10th |
| 1995 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 For the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest, the UK entered "Love City Groove", performed by Love City Groove. It received 76 points and 10th place.The voting for the UK's entry took place on March 31, 1995 in a programme hosted by Terry Wogan... |
Love City Groove Love City Groove Love City Groove represented the United Kingdom in the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest, with a self-titled song after being the runaway winner in a public vote. The pop/rap song finished tenth with 76 points; and peaked at #7 on the UK Singles Chart. Love City Groove were formed by a collective... |
"Love City Groove Love City Groove (song) "Love City Groove" is a song by British rap group Love City Groove that represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 1995.On the night of the contest the song was performed 15th in the running order, following Belgium's Frédéric Etherlinck with "La voix est libre" and preceding... " |
7 | 10th |
Although "I Love The Little Things" failed to reach the official top 50 singles chart in 1964, the EP release containing the track and the other UK finalists reached #16 in the official EP charts. Both "Runner In the Night" and "Only The Light" reached the top 100 of the singles chart, but failed to register in the official top 75.
The Great British Song Contest (1996–1999)
| Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 The United Kingdom selected their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 in Oslo, Norway with a new show, the Great British Song Contest. The winning entry was Gina G with "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit".-Semi-final:... |
Gina G Gina G -Albums:*1997 Fresh! — #12 UK #40 Norway.*1998 Gina G Remix Album *2005 Get Up & Dance -Singles:... |
"Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" is a song written by British songwriters Simon Tauber and Steve Rodway, and performed by Australian singer Gina G. Released as a single on 25 March 1996, it reached number one in the United Kingdom on 19 May 1996.... " |
1 | 8th |
| 1997 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 The United Kingdom's entry into the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest was Love Shine a Light by Katrina & the Waves. During this year the UK won the song contest which was being held in Dublin, Ireland, with an unprecedented 227 points. The UK sang at position 24... |
Katrina and the Waves Katrina and the Waves Katrina and the Waves was an English pop rock band, best known for their 1985 hit "Walking on Sunshine" and their 1997 Eurovision Song Contest victory with the song "Love Shine a Light".-Pre-history: The Waves and Mama's Cookin' :... |
"Love Shine a Light" | 3 | 1st |
| 1998 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 For the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest, the UK entered "Where Are You?", performed by Imaani. It received 166 points and 2nd place.The UK selection heat, The Great British Song Contest, was held on 15 March 1998 and was hosted by Terry Wogan and Ulrika Jonsson. The final result was as follows:Great... |
Imaani Imaani Imaani Saleem is an English singer.-Career:In 1998 she entered the A Song For Europe competition to find the UK's song for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her track "Where Are You" was a runaway winner with the British public and was selected to represent the UK... |
"Where Are You? Where Are You? (Imaani song) "Where Are You?" was the United Kingdom entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1998, held in Birmingham, United Kingdom. It was sung by Imaani and composed by Scott English, Phil Manikiza and Simon Stirling.... " |
15 | 2nd |
| 1999 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 The United Kingdom competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, represented by girlgroup Precious with "Say It Again". The song was the winner of the Great British Song Contest 1999, held on 7 March.-Great British Song Contest 1999:... |
Precious Precious (band) Precious were a British girl group, comprising Louise Rose, Anya Lahiri, Sophie McDonnell, Kalli Clark-Sternberg and Jenny Frost. They first achieved fame as the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest and went on to become a moderately popular act until they decided it was time to go their own... |
"Say It Again Say It Again (Precious song) "Say It Again" was the United Kingdom entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, written by Paul Varney and performed by girl band Precious.The song was performed 5th on the night of the contest, following Croatia's Doris Dragović with "Marija Magdalena" and preceding Slovenia's Darja Švajger with... " |
6 | 12th |
A Song for Europe (2000–2003)
| Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 For the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest, the UK entered "Don't Play That Song Again", performed by Nicki French. It received 28 points and 16th place in Stockholm.The UK selection heat, A Song for Europe, was held on February 20, 2000 and was hosted by Katy Hill... |
Nicki French Nicki French Nicola S. French is a female English singer and dancer. She is best known for her 1995 dance cover version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart", and for representing the United Kingdom in 2000 at Eurovision in Stockholm.-Career:French provided backing vocals on Rose-Marie's 1992 album, Emotional Exposure... |
"Don't Play That Song Again Don't Play That Song Again "Don't Play That Song Again" was the UK entry for the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest. The song was performed by Nicki French, already a well-known name, having had a worldwide hit in 1995 with a cover of Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart"... " |
34 | 16th |
| 2001 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 For the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest, the UK entered "No Dream Impossible", performed by Lindsay D. It received 28 points and 15th place.-National final:... |
Lindsay Lindsay Dracass Lindsay Dracass is an English pop music singer.-Career:Dracass was discovered at 13 years old by Alan Wood... |
"No Dream Impossible No Dream Impossible "No Dream Impossible" was the United Kingdom entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2001, written by Russ Ballard and Chris Winter and performed by Lindsay Dracass.... " |
32 | 15th |
| 2002 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 The United Kingdom competed at the Eurovision Song Contest 2002, represented by Jessica Garlick with the song "Come Back".-A Song for Europe 2002:... |
Jessica Garlick Jessica Garlick Jessica Julie Anne Garlick is a Welsh pop singer.Garlick made her first steps into showbusiness when she was 16. At that age she won the Welsh final of the TV talent show Star For A Night. The same year she also featured in Michael Barrymore's My Kind of Music... |
"Come Back Come Back (Jessica Garlick song) "Come Back" is a single released by Welsh pop singer Jessica Garlick.The song was the UK entry for the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest where it came in equal 3rd place. The song remains the highest position for the UK since "Where are You?" by Imaani in 1998 where that song reached a position of #2... " |
13 | 3rd |
| 2003 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 United Kingdom participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003. They used A Song For Europe to choose their entry. The winner was Liverpudlian duo Jemini with the song Cry Baby... |
Jemini Jemini Jemini were a British pop group from Liverpool, best known for scoring "nul points" and finishing in last place with their song "Cry Baby" at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest in Latvia.-Early career:... |
"Cry Baby Cry Baby (Jemini song) "Cry Baby", written and composed by Martin Isherwood, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, and was performed by the duo Jemini... " |
15 | 26th |
Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up (2004–2007)
| Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. It was held on February 28, 2004 and presented by Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin... |
James Fox James Fox (singer) James Fox, real name . is a pop music singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist. He represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul... |
"Hold On to Our Love Hold On to Our Love "Hold On to Our Love" was the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 entry for the United Kingdom. It was sung by James Fox best known for his appearance as a contestant on the talent show Fame Academy... " |
13 | 16th |
| 2005 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 The United Kingdom was represented in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 by "Touch My Fire" performed by Javine.Javine Hylton was born on 27 December 1981 and as a yougster enjoyed listening to her mother’s collection of soul and reggae albums. At the age of 10, she was offered an arts scholarship... |
Javine Hylton Javine Hylton Javine Dionne Hylton , often known simply as Javine, is an English singer. She is most notable for representing the UK at Eurovision Song Contest 2005; beating competition favourite, model Katie Price, for the ticket to Kiev... |
"Touch My Fire Touch My Fire "Touch My Fire" is the fifth single by UK R&B star Javine. The single was the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest for 2005 and her first for Island Records. It was the first new material from Javine since her debut album, "Surrender", was released in 2004.The single reached the #18 in the UK... " |
18 | 22nd |
| 2006 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 The United Kingdom was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 by Daz Sampson with the song "Teenage Life". He finished in 19th place with 25 points.-National final:... |
Daz Sampson Daz Sampson Darren "Daz" Sampson is a British dance music producer, musician and singer-songwriter.Up until 2006, when he represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, Sampson was best known for his commercial dance music, often reworkings of older songs as a solo act and as a member of various... |
"Teenage Life Teenage Life "Teenage Life" was the British entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, which was sung by Daz Sampson in English.On 4 March 2006, Sampson had won the BBC show Making Your Mind Up with the song "Teenage Life", which was written and produced with John Matthews from the Cuban Boys, who were... " |
8 | 19th |
| 2007 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 The United Kingdom chose their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 on the BBC programme Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up. The fourth and final edition of Making Your Mind Up took place on Saturday 17 March 2007 on BBC One. The main show aired at 19.30 GMT and the results showed at 21.30... |
Scooch Scooch Scooch are a British bubblegum dance group, comprising performers Natalie Powers, Caroline Barnes, David Ducasse and Russ Spencer.Scooch represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki with their song "Flying the Flag ", finishing 23rd out of 24 entries after... |
"Flying the Flag (for You) Flying the Flag (for You) "Flying the Flag " is a song performed by British pop/bubblegum dance group Scooch.The song was entered and won the British national selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up in 2007, and subsequently represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song... " |
5 | 23rd |
Eurovision: Your Decision (2008)
| Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 The United Kingdom chose their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 on the BBC programme Eurovision: Your Decision. It replaced the former selection programme, Making Your Mind Up after a string of bad results... |
Andy Abraham Andy Abraham Andrew Abraham is an English singer. He was the runner-up in the second UK series of TV talent show The X Factor in 2005 to Shayne Ward, and also represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.Before applying for The X Factor, Abraham was a refuse collector... |
"Even If Even If "Even If" sung by Andy Abraham, was the United Kingdom's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, Belgrade, Serbia. It was released on 19 May 2008, stated by his official website.... " |
67 | 25th |
Eurovision: Your Country Needs You (2009–2010)
| Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 The United Kingdom and the British Broadcasting Corporation confirmed their participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, despite their last place finish in 2008. Jade Ewen was selected on 31 January 2009, to represent the UK at Eurovision with "It's My Time", a song composed by... |
Jade Ewen Jade Ewen Jade Almarie Louise Ewen is an English singer, songwriter, actress and member of the Sugababes. Ewen began her singing career in a girl group named Trinity Stone signed to Sony BMG in 2005, but they disbanded in 2007 with no album released... |
"It's My Time" | 27 | 5th |
| 2010 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 The United Kingdom participated at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, held in Oslo, Norway in May. The BBC announced on 29 January after months of speculation that British record producer and songwriter Pete Waterman would write the UK entry for the 2010 Contest... |
Josh Dubovie Josh Dubovie Josh James Dubovie is a British singer. He represented the UK at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Oslo, Norway in May 2010, finishing last with his performance of "That Sounds Good to Me", written by writers and producers Mike Stock and Pete Waterman of Stock Aitken Waterman and Steve... |
"That Sounds Good to Me That Sounds Good to Me "That Sounds Good to Me" is a song written and composed by Pete Waterman, Mike Stock and Steve Crosby that finished last when it represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 held in Oslo, Norway... " |
Failed to chart | 25th |
Internal selection (2011)
| Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 The United Kingdom participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany, sending their 54th entry to the contest. The British Broadcasting Corporation , the broadcaster responsible for the United Kingdom entry, internally selected successful boy band Blue to compete at... |
Blue | "I Can I Can (Blue song) "I Can" is a song by British pop group Blue. It was the United Kingdom's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 which was held in Düsseldorf, Germany. The song came 11th scoring 100 points. It is the first time in Eurovision Song Contest history that the British entry has been decided... " |
16 | 11th |
Contestants
Hosts
| Year(s) | Host(s) |
|---|---|
| 1957 | David Jacobs David Jacobs (disc jockey) David Lewis Jacobs CBE is a British actor and broadcaster who gained prominence as presenter of the peak-time BBC Television show Juke Box Jury and the BBC Radio 4 political forum, Any Questions?-Early career:... |
| 1959 | Pete Murray |
| 1960 | David Jacobs David Jacobs (disc jockey) David Lewis Jacobs CBE is a British actor and broadcaster who gained prominence as presenter of the peak-time BBC Television show Juke Box Jury and the BBC Radio 4 political forum, Any Questions?-Early career:... |
| 1961 | Katie Boyle Katie Boyle Katie Boyle is an Italian-born British actress, television personality, and game show panelist, well known for appearing on TV panel games such as What's My Line? and for presenting the Eurovision Song Contest in the 1960s and 1970s.... |
| 1962–1966 | David Jacobs David Jacobs (disc jockey) David Lewis Jacobs CBE is a British actor and broadcaster who gained prominence as presenter of the peak-time BBC Television show Juke Box Jury and the BBC Radio 4 political forum, Any Questions?-Early career:... |
| 1967 | Rolf Harris Rolf Harris Rolf Harris, CBE, AM is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter, composer, painter and television personality.Born in Perth, Western Australia, Harris was a champion swimmer before studying art. He moved to England in 1952, where he started to appear on television programmes on which he drew the... |
| 1968 | Cilla Black Cilla Black Cilla Black OBE is an English singer, actress, entertainer and media personality, who has been consistently popular as a light entertainment figure since 1963. She is most famous for her singles Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Alfie... |
| 1969 | Michael Aspel Michael Aspel Michael Terence Aspel, OBE is an English television presenter, known for his reserved demeanour and rich speaking voice. He has been a high-profile TV personality in the United Kingdom since the 1960s, presenting programmes such as Crackerjack, Aspel and Company, This is Your Life, Strange But... |
| 1970–1972 | Cliff Richard Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide.... |
| 1973 | Cilla Black Cilla Black Cilla Black OBE is an English singer, actress, entertainer and media personality, who has been consistently popular as a light entertainment figure since 1963. She is most famous for her singles Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Alfie... |
| 1974 | Jimmy Savile Jimmy Savile Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile, OBE, KCSG was an English disc jockey, television presenter and media personality, best known for his BBC television show Jim'll Fix It, and for being the first and last presenter of the long-running BBC music chart show Top of the Pops... |
| 1975 | Lulu Lulu (singer) Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day... |
| 1976 | Michael Aspel Michael Aspel Michael Terence Aspel, OBE is an English television presenter, known for his reserved demeanour and rich speaking voice. He has been a high-profile TV personality in the United Kingdom since the 1960s, presenting programmes such as Crackerjack, Aspel and Company, This is Your Life, Strange But... |
| 1977–1994 | Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career... |
| 1995 | Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career... (Final) & Mark Goodier Mark Goodier -Early career:Mark Goodier was born in Rhodesia . His family moved to the UK when he was a child, eventually settling in Scotland. He was educated at George Heriot's School, in Edinburgh. He became a mobile DJ in Edinburgh and then joined local station Radio Forth at the age of 19... (Preview Show) |
| 1996 | Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career... (Final) & Nicky Campbell Nicky Campbell Nicholas Andrew Argyll "Nicky" Campbell is a Scottish radio and television presenter and journalist. He is known for his time presenting on programmes such as the consumer affairs programme Watchdog... (Semi Final) |
| 1997 | Dale Winton Dale Winton Dale Winton is an English radio DJ and television presenter.-Early life:Winton's father, Gary, was "domineering" and died when Winton was 13. Winton was brought up by his mother, actress Sheree Winton... |
| 1998 | Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career... |
| 1999 | Ulrika Jonsson Ulrika Jonsson Eva Ulrika Jonsson is a Swedish television presenter in the UK, who became famous as a TV-am weather presenter and moved on to present Gladiators and became a team captain of the show Shooting Stars.-Early life:... |
| 2000–2001 | Katy Hill Katy Hill Katy Hill is an English television presenter, who worked on the BBC children's magazine programme Blue Peter for five years.-Biography:... |
| 2002 | Christopher Price Christopher Price (broadcaster) Christopher Nicholas Price was the original host of British celebrity news show Liquid News.-Early life and career:... & Claire Sweeney Claire Sweeney Claire Jane Sweeney is an English actress, singer and television personality best known for playing the role of Lindsey Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside and her appearance on the first series of the Reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother.-Early Life:Sweeney was born in Walton, Liverpool... |
| 2003 | Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career... |
| 2004 | Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career... & Gaby Roslin Gaby Roslin Gaby Roslin is an English television presenter and actress. She rose to fame while co-presenting The Big Breakfast on Channel 4 between 1992 and 1996, and also presented the BBC's Children in Need charity appeal from 1994 to 2004.... with Paddy O'Connell Paddy O'Connell Guy Patrick Bennett O'Connell , known as Paddy O'Connell, is an English television and radio presenter, working mainly for the BBC.... on BBC Three BBC Three BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent... |
| 2005–2006 | Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career... & Natasha Kaplinsky Natasha Kaplinsky Natasha Margaret Kaplinsky is a British newsreader and television presenter, currently employed by ITV having previously worked for Channel 5, Sky News and the BBC... |
| 2007 | Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career... & Fearne Cotton Fearne Cotton Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show... |
| 2008 | Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career... & Claudia Winkleman Claudia Winkleman Claudia Anne I. Winkleman is an English television presenter, film critic, radio personality and journalist.- Early life and family :... |
| 2009–2010 | Graham Norton Graham Norton Graham William Walker, known by his stage name Graham Norton , is an Irish actor, comedian, television presenter and columnist... |
Ken Bruce
Ken Bruce
Kenneth Robertson Bruce is a British broadcaster known for his programme on BBC Radio 2, which is broadcast on weekdays from 9:30am until 12 noon.-Early life and career:...
& Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
hosted the BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
semi finals from 1997-2003.
Both Ken Bruce
Ken Bruce
Kenneth Robertson Bruce is a British broadcaster known for his programme on BBC Radio 2, which is broadcast on weekdays from 9:30am until 12 noon.-Early life and career:...
and Ray Moore
Ray Moore (broadcaster)
Raymond Moore was a British broadcaster who was best known for his long running early morning show on BBC Radio 2....
have provided BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
commentary on various occasions.
Guest Commentators, Panellists & Judges
Featured 1988-1990, 1994–1995, 2004–2010| Year | Panellists |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Gloria Hunniford Gloria Hunniford Gloria Hunniford is a Northern Irish TV and radio presenter, and formerly a singer.-Biography:... , George Martin George Martin Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums... , Bruce Welch Bruce Welch Bruce Welch OBE, is an English guitarist, songwriter, producer and singer, best known as a member of The Shadows.-Biography:... , Mike Batt Mike Batt Michael Philip "Mike" Batt is a British songwriter, musician, producer and Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry... |
| 1989 | Deke Arlon Deke Arlon Deke Arlon is a British music publisher and music manager whose clients included Kenny Young, Sheena Easton, Ron Grainer, Elaine Paige, Dennis Waterman, Helen Watson, and Marti Pellow.-Early career:... , Gary Davies Gary Davies Gary Davies is a British broadcaster. During the 1980s and 1990s he was a BBC Radio 1 disc jockey and also a regular presenter of Top of the Pops.-Early career:... , Leslie Bricusse Leslie Bricusse Leslie Bricusse is an English composer, lyricist, and playwright.Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. He was educated at University College School in London and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge... , Lulu Lulu (singer) Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day... |
| 1990 | Cathy McGowan Cathy McGowan Cathy McGowan is a British broadcaster and journalist, presenter from 1964-6 of Rediffusion television’s rock music show, Ready Steady Go!-Ready Steady Go!:... , Gloria Hunniford Gloria Hunniford Gloria Hunniford is a Northern Irish TV and radio presenter, and formerly a singer.-Biography:... , Carl Davis Carl Davis Carl Davis CBE is an American born conductor and composer who has made his home in the UK since 1961. In 1970 he married the English actress Jean Boht.... , Tim Rice Tim Rice Sir Timothy Miles Bindon "Tim" Rice is an British lyricist and author.An Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning lyricist, Rice is best known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, with whom he wrote Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus... |
| 1994 | Richard O'Brien Richard O'Brien Richard Timothy Smith , better known under his stage name Richard O'Brien, is an English writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer. He is perhaps best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show and for his role in presenting the popular TV show The Crystal Maze... , Jonathan King Jonathan King Jonathan King is an English singer, songwriter, impresario and record producer. He is also the author of three novels, Bible Two and The Booker Prize Winner , and Beware the Monkey Man , and an autobiography, 65 My Life So Far .King first came to prominence as an... |
| 1995 | Jonathan King Jonathan King Jonathan King is an English singer, songwriter, impresario and record producer. He is also the author of three novels, Bible Two and The Booker Prize Winner , and Beware the Monkey Man , and an autobiography, 65 My Life So Far .King first came to prominence as an... , Mike Read Mike Read Michael David Kenneth Read is an English radio disc jockey, writer, journalist and television presenter.-Early life:... , Cheryl Baker Cheryl Baker Cheryl Baker is an English television presenter and singer. She is most famous for being a member of 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz, and has performed for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, winning it the second time.-Early career:After leaving school and a series of secretarial jobs, Cheryl... , Brian Harvey Brian Harvey Brian Harvey is an English musician and formerly lead singer of pop band East 17.Harvey was born in Walthamstow, London, and attended Sir George Monoux School from 1988-90.-Career:... , Ian Dury Ian Dury Ian Robins Dury was an English rock and roll singer, lyricist, bandleader and actor who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s, during the punk and New Wave era of rock music... , Let Loose Let Loose Let Loose are a British pop/rock trio, featuring Richie Wermerling on lead vocals and keyboards, Rob Jeffrey on guitars and backing vocals, and Lee J Murray on drums, percussion and backing vocals.The band initially scored minor success... , Bruno Brookes Bruno Brookes Bruno Brookes is a British radio presenter who became prominent in the 1980s.-Early life and career:... & Scarlet. |
| 2004 | Lorraine Kelly Lorraine Kelly Lorraine Kelly is a Scottish television presenter, journalist and actress, best known as a presenter for TV-am, and later GMTV and ITV Breakfast, on Lorraine.-Early life:... , Harry Hill Harry Hill Harry Hill , is a Perrier Award–winning English comedian, author and television presenter. A former medical doctor , Hill began his career in comedy with the popular radio show Harry Hill's Fruit Corner.-Personal life:Hill was born in Woking,... , Carrie Grant Carrie Grant Carrie Grant is a British vocal coach and session singer. She is best known for her work on the television talent contests Fame Academy, Comic Relief does Fame Academy and Pop Idol, together with her husband and colleague David Grant. She is also personal voice coach to many successful pop stars... |
| 2005 | Jonathan Ross Jonathan Ross Jonathan Ross may refer to:* Jonathan Ross , English television and radio personality* Jonathan Ross , United States Senator, Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court* Jonathon Ross , former Australian rules footballer... , Bruno Tonioli Bruno Tonioli Bruno Tonioli is an Italian choreographer and TV personality who appears as a judge on the television dance competition Strictly Come Dancing for BBC TV in the UK, and its American adaptation Dancing with the Stars on ABC TV in the US, Tonioli co-created and appeared on the BBC talent show DanceX... , Paddy O'Connell Paddy O'Connell Guy Patrick Bennett O'Connell , known as Paddy O'Connell, is an English television and radio presenter, working mainly for the BBC.... , Natalie Cassidy Natalie Cassidy Natalie Ann Cassidy is a British actress, most commonly known for appearing in the television soap EastEnders where she played Sonia Jackson for many years. She has also appeared in the BBC Two sitcom Psychoville and was a contestant on the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing.-Career:As a... |
| 2006 | Jonathan Ross Jonathan Ross Jonathan Ross may refer to:* Jonathan Ross , English television and radio personality* Jonathan Ross , United States Senator, Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court* Jonathon Ross , former Australian rules footballer... , Bruno Tonioli Bruno Tonioli Bruno Tonioli is an Italian choreographer and TV personality who appears as a judge on the television dance competition Strictly Come Dancing for BBC TV in the UK, and its American adaptation Dancing with the Stars on ABC TV in the US, Tonioli co-created and appeared on the BBC talent show DanceX... , Fearne Cotton Fearne Cotton Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show... , Kelly Osbourne Kelly Osbourne Kelly Michelle Lee Osbourne is an English media personality, television personality, host, judge, fashion designer, singer, and actress, best known for being the daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne... |
| 2007 | John Barrowman John Barrowman John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and... , Mel Giedroyc Mel Giedroyc Mel Giedroyc is an English television presenter, actress, and writer.-Mel and Sue:Giedroyc is best known for presenting comedy items alongside Sue Perkins. The two women met whilst students at Cambridge and both were members of the famous Footlights comedy club.As Mel and Sue, the duo were... |
| 2008 | John Barrowman John Barrowman John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and... 1, Carrie Grant Carrie Grant Carrie Grant is a British vocal coach and session singer. She is best known for her work on the television talent contests Fame Academy, Comic Relief does Fame Academy and Pop Idol, together with her husband and colleague David Grant. She is also personal voice coach to many successful pop stars... 1, Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career... 2 |
| 2009 | Lulu Lulu (singer) Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day... , Arlene Phillips Arlene Phillips Arlene Phillips OBE is an English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, TV presenter, TV judge and former dancer, who has worked in many fields of entertainment... , Andrew Lloyd-Webber Andrew Lloyd Webber Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of... 2, Diane Warren Diane Warren Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001... , Duncan James Duncan James Duncan Matthew James Inglis is an English singer, actor and television presenter. He is best known as a member of the boyband Blue.-Early life:... , Emma Bunton Emma Bunton Emma Lee Bunton is an English pop singer/songwriter and TV and radio presenter. She was a member of the 1990s girl group, the Spice Girls, in which she was known as Baby Spice as she was the youngest member. In 2010, she joined the judging panel on ITV's Dancing on Ice... , Alesha Dixon Alesha Dixon Alesha Anjanette Dixon is an English singer-songwriter, dancer, model and television personality. She first found fame in the all-female R&B trio Mis-Teeq, however, the trio separated in 2005 and Dixon continued pursuing her music career as a solo artist, signing to Polydor Records... |
| 2010 | Bruno Tonioli Bruno Tonioli Bruno Tonioli is an Italian choreographer and TV personality who appears as a judge on the television dance competition Strictly Come Dancing for BBC TV in the UK, and its American adaptation Dancing with the Stars on ABC TV in the US, Tonioli co-created and appeared on the BBC talent show DanceX... , Jade Ewen Jade Ewen Jade Almarie Louise Ewen is an English singer, songwriter, actress and member of the Sugababes. Ewen began her singing career in a girl group named Trinity Stone signed to Sony BMG in 2005, but they disbanded in 2007 with no album released... , Pete Waterman Pete Waterman Peter Alan Waterman OBE is an English record producer, occasional songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting team he wrote and produced many hit singles... 1, Mike Stock |
1 Acted as "judges" to eliminate contestants in preliminary rounds
2 Acted as "judges" to 'save' contestants from elimination
Venues
| Year | Venue |
|---|---|
| 1957 | The King's Theatre Hammersmith |
| 1959–1975 | BBC Television Theatre |
| 1976 | Royal Albert Hall Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941.... |
| 19771 | New London Theatre New London Theatre The New London Theatre is a West End theatre located on the corner of Drury Lane and Parker Street in Covent Garden, in the London Borough of Camden... |
| 1978-19792 | Royal Albert Hall Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941.... |
| 1980–1981 | BBC Television Theatre |
| 1982 | BBC Television Centre BBC Television Centre BBC Television Centre at White City in West London is the headquarters of BBC Television. Officially opened on 29 June 1960, it remains one of the largest to this day; having featured over the years as backdrop to many BBC programmes, it is one of the most readily recognisable such facilities... |
| 1983 | BBC Television Theatre |
| 1984–1999 | BBC Television Centre BBC Television Centre BBC Television Centre at White City in West London is the headquarters of BBC Television. Officially opened on 29 June 1960, it remains one of the largest to this day; having featured over the years as backdrop to many BBC programmes, it is one of the most readily recognisable such facilities... |
| 2000–2002 | Elstree Studios Elstree Studios "Elstree Studios" refers to any of several film studios that were based in the towns of Borehamwood and Elstree in Hertfordshire, England, since film production begun in 1927.-Name:... |
| 2003–2006 | BBC Television Centre BBC Television Centre BBC Television Centre at White City in West London is the headquarters of BBC Television. Officially opened on 29 June 1960, it remains one of the largest to this day; having featured over the years as backdrop to many BBC programmes, it is one of the most readily recognisable such facilities... |
| 2007 | The Maidstone Studios The Maidstone Studios The Maidstone Studios, formerly called TVS Television Centre is a television studio complex with radio studio facilities based at Vinters Park in Maidstone, Kent UK... |
| 2008–2010 | BBC Television Centre BBC Television Centre BBC Television Centre at White City in West London is the headquarters of BBC Television. Officially opened on 29 June 1960, it remains one of the largest to this day; having featured over the years as backdrop to many BBC programmes, it is one of the most readily recognisable such facilities... |
1 Show not transmitted on TV due to industrial action
2 Show abandoned due to industrial action