United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1986
Encyclopedia
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
. The show was opened by 1985's Eurovision winners, Bobbysocks
, who sang "Let it Swing," the English-language version of their winning song "La det swinge
."
The winning song was decided by the votes of eleven regional juries across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The winning entry was "Runner in the Night
," performed by the sextet Ryder
, composed by Brian Wade, with lyrics written by Maureen Darbyshire
.
and preceding Iceland
. At the close of the voting the song had received 72 points, placing 7th in a field of 20 competing countries.
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
.
The British national final to select their entry, A Song for Europe 1986, was held on 2 April at the 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...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and was hosted by 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 show was opened by 1985's Eurovision winners, Bobbysocks
Bobbysocks
For the 1950s teen rage see Bobby soxerBobbysocks! were a Norwegian pop duo consisting of Norwegian Hanne Krogh and Swedish-Norwegian Elisabeth Andreassen. They won the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 with the song "La det swinge" ....
, who sang "Let it Swing," the English-language version of their winning song "La det swinge
La det swinge
"La det swinge" is a song in Norwegian, sung by the pop duo Bobbysocks!. It was the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 - Norway's first victory in the contest.- Background :...
."
The winning song was decided by the votes of eleven regional juries across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The winning entry was "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....
," performed by the sextet 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...
, composed by Brian Wade, with lyrics written by Maureen Darbyshire
Maureen Darbyshire
Maureen Darbyshire is an English actress who appeared in six out of the seven series of Rumpole of the Bailey as Chambers Secretary at 1 Equity Court; and also appeared in other roles on television.-Notes:...
.
Results of national final
| Draw | Artist | Song | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanity Fare Vanity Fare Vanity Fare were a UK pop/rock group formed in 1966, best remembered for their million selling song, "Hitchin' a Ride," which became a worldwide hit in 1970.-Career:... |
Dreamer | 99 | 3rd |
| 2 | Palace | Dancing with You Again | 91 | 5th |
| 3 | Colin Heywood | No Easy Way to Love | 80 | 6th |
| 4 | Chad Brown | I'm Sorry | 78 | 7th |
| 5 | Kenny Charles | Tongue-Tied | 93 | 4th |
| 6 | Ryder | Runner in the Night | 145 | 1st |
| 7 | Jump | Don't Hang Up on Love | 137 | 2nd |
| 8 | Future | War of the Roses | 76 | 8th |
At Eurovision
Ryder performed fifth on the night of the Contest, following NorwayNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
and preceding Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. At the close of the voting the song had received 72 points, placing 7th in a field of 20 competing countries.