UK Eurovision

Bio:

Way back in 1956 the BBC decided to participate in the very first eurovisioin song contest which was to be held in Switzerland. The deadline for submitting entries was drawing closer and the BBC still could not be bothered to take time out of their schedule of a few hours a day broadcasting... days passed away and finally so did the deadline and the BBC had missed it and therefore could not participate in Lugano, Incidentally, the BBC held the what would have been the UK National Selection after the eurovision song contest itself. 50 years later, after 20 top 2 placings, including 5 wins, although it gets more viewers than 99% of any other TV shows on british TV, the BBC still do not take the great eurosong seriously. In 2005 the EBU asked the BBC to host Congratulations: 50 years of Eurovision, and of course the BBC seen this as an amazing opportunity and jumped at the chance... of turning the EBU down that is, then weeks later the BBC decided they would not host the show nor broadcast it and even got Terry Wogan, on a TV show (Points Of View) to inform the Great British Public that there, and i quote 'No 50th Anniversary of Eurovision Known To Man.' October 22nd 2005 surely came around and the UK were represented by 2 songs in the final 14, and the British people had two options: 1. To travel to another country to view the contest 2. To watch it on TVEi, the spanish television station broadcast in the UK on Sky (Channel 802) which is only available to a very small amount of people. Over the years as previously stated, the United Kingdom have had 20 top 2 placings, 5 of which were winners. This making the United Kingdom the most sucessful country in Eurovision History. However, 1999 saw the downfall in the United Kingdoms eurovision triumphs.. with 12th place which came from girlband 'Precious' only once before had the UK ended lower than this and that was in 1987 (13th place) So, the BBC locked themselves deep in the darkest corner of the BBC studios and decided to send the very sucessful (in 1995) Nicki French, with her Cheesey/Europop song which was tipped as one of the favouites to win the 2000 edition, her big night came... Great performance from Nicki vocally and stage presence.. and then the voting.. Israel = 1point.. not too bad! Netherlands = 0points! Est.. 2points, getting better... and not much more than that, the Highest the UK got in 2000 was 6points from Turkey and Malta. At the end of the night the UK ended with 28 points and finished 16th, This being the worst Result the UK have gained in teh 45years of eurovision. 2001 once again the BBC locked themselves away not daring to show their faces in public, The national Final came around and 4 songs included the songwriter who came 3rd in the UK selection in 2000, A girl who came 3rd in eurovision in 1996 for Sweden and two unknown acts, One of which was 16year old Lindsay Dracass singing a song which was a mix of Dance & R'n'B, this won the UK selection, and once again, put the UK in the running for the top spot in Copenhagen.. 12th May and Le Grand Soir had arrived, Lindsay took centre stage and soon her little heart out, whilst wearing something which would not have looked out of place on a street corner with cider spilt all over it. The end note was good if not a little shakey, but the whole of the UK had high hopes for this young diva from Sheffield! the votes come in..Not the worst start, 2points from Netherlands, a run of NUL POINTS from the next four countries, then 3 from russia, then a few countries later, the UK recieved their Highest points of the night... 4points, from Nighbouring country, Ireland. Just as in 2000, 28points was the final score but 15th was the placing this time... second worst the UK had ever done! Now seriously the UK had to do something to regain their EuroStatus.. so in 2002, the BBC entered 4 songs which each had some form of celebrity status: Journalist, Jonathan Maitland. Television Celebrity, Tricia Penrose, Pop Idol contestants: Jamie Tinkler and the pop idol Finalist, Jessica Garlick. the winner with 70% was Jessica Garlick with her ballad Come Back. Tallinn, Estonia was the venue for the 2002 Extravaganza, Jessica gave the best performance seen by a UK representative in many years, The voting came in.. Cyprus began... UK... NUL POINTS.. not the start Jessica was hoping for.. Austria votes after the UK.. and 1-8.. no points.. no 10points.. then "12points go to.. the UNITED KINGDOM" the Brits went wild!! Although this was the only 12points for the UK of the evening, they were not short of 10's 8's 7's etc.. the final results came in and pushed the UK onto 111points and Joint 3rd place with home country, Estonia. 2003, the UK were back on track! the BBC sent Jemini, a pop duo from Liverpool, singing at 15th in the running order, Kirk began on guitar.. and Gemma opened her mouth and the words come out, although, not as planned, Gemma sung out of tune, Chris attempted to follow in suit. The voting started.. Within the first 5 countries to vote 3 were famous for giving the UK high points every year.. so.. Austira.. 0points, That is ok we still have Malta and Ireland, 0points from Ireland AND Malta.. things are not looking good for Jemini and the UK's reputation All the way through UK and Latvia were on 0points then four votes before the end and five points from Estonia go to.... LATVIA, now that leaves the UK the only country who have failed to gain any points, then Slovenia have the last votes.. 1-8 Nothing, 10 Nothin, Finally the last hope for the UK was the slovenian 12points.. and Peter Poles said it...12points go to... RUSSIA.. the shock and Horror passed through every eurovision fan from the UK, with 26countries voting the UK failed to get a single point.. the first NUL POINTS for the UK in the 49years of the contest. 2004 seen the UK selection changed it was now called 'Makin Your Mind Up' the name of the UK winner in 1981. the UK sent Fame Academy star, Singer/Songwriter James Fox, with his song Hold on to our love. this failed to persuade the televoters of the 36 voting countries and James ended 16th. Once again the UK failed to wow the voters. 2005 Well known singer Javing ditched her r'n'b music in favour of Ethnic Rythems clearly inspired by the 2 previous winners from Turkey and Ukraine. Surelly the sexy dancing, song and presence on stage would get the votes... 39 voting countries later Javine ended 22nd with 18points. 2006 well known dance producer Daz Sampson, sent his song 'Teenage Life' backed by 4 16year old girls and the girl who came second to Jemini in 2003's UK selection, this mis of rap, pop, and most otehr things you could think of was sure to please all... WRONG!!! 37 voting countries later daz gained 25points and ended 19th. ********************2007 came round and the UK once again held a national final to select their entry, this time we had a star-filled final, One of them a well know band from 2001, Scooch, who made the super-final, with French singer Cyndi, the two faught head-to-head for the euro crown, Scooch finally won the contest after some confusion on the part of Sir Terry. Scooch were sent to defent the nations honour in Helsinki, could this be the year the UK regain their status of Monarchs of europe??? NO!!!! what a silly question to ask, Scooch ended joint 23rd with France!****************** Maybe the UK's sucess is over and we will be banished to the bottom half of the table for the rest of eternity, or if it that in recent years we just have not sent the right song? Only time will tell the future of the UK in eurovision, but one thing is for sure, no matter if we pull out of the contest, nobody can take away the amazing success we have had over the last 50years in this, the greatest song contest in the world! Although, 2008 will see a new format introduced! There will be 2 semi finals, and only the countries participating in those semi finals can vote. This has no effect on the final whatsoever, because every country can vote in the final.

Member Since:

January 20, 2007

Members:

Year Song Artist(s) Position .. 2007Flying the flag (For You)Scooch23 2006Teenage LifeDaz Sampson19 2005Touch My FireJavine22 2004Hold On To Our LoveJames Fox16 2003Cry BabyJemini26 2002Come BackJessica Garlick3 2001No Dream ImpossibleLindsay Dracass15 2000Dont Play That Song AgainNiki French16 1999Say it AgainPrecious12 1998Where are You?Imaani2 1997Love, Shine a LightKatrina and the Waves1 1996Just a Little BitGina G8 1995Love City GrooveLove City Groove10 1994Lonely Symphony (We Will be Free)Frances Ruffelle10 1993Better the Devil You KnowSonia2 1992One Step Out of TimeMichael Ball2 1991A Message to Your HeartSamantha Janus10 1990Give a Little love BackEmma6 1989Why Do I Always Get It Wrong?Live Report2 1988GoScott Fitzgerald2 1987Only the NightRikki13 1986Runner in the NightRyder7 1985Love IsVikki4 1984Love GamesBelle & the Devotions7 1983I'm Never Giving UpSweet Dreams6 1982One Step FurtherBardo7 1981Making Your Mind UpBuck's Fizz1 1980Love Enough for TwoPrima Donna3 1979Mary AnnBlack lace7 1978Bad Old DaysCo-Co11 1977Rock BottomLynsey de Paul & Mike Moran2 1976Save Your Kisses for MeBrotherhood of Man1 1975Let Me Be the OneThe Shadows2 1974Long Live LoveOlivia Newton-John4 1973Power to all Our FriendsClif Richard3 1972Beg, Steal or BorrowThe New Seekers2 1971Jack in the BoxClodagh Rogers4 1970Knock, Knock, Who's ThereMary Hopkin2 1969Boom-bang-a-bangLulu1 1968CongratulationsCliff Richard2 1967Puppet on a StringSandie Shaw1 1966A Man Without LoveKenneth McKellar9 1965I BelongKathy Kirby2 1964I Love the Little ThingsMatt Monroe2 1963Say Wonderful ThingsRonnie Carroll4 1962Ring-a-ding GirlRonnie Carroll4 1961Are You Sure?The Allisons2 1960Looking High, High, HighBryan Johnson2 1959Sing Little BirdiePearl Carr & Teddy Johnson2 1958No EntryNo Entry- 1957AllPatricia Bredin7 1956No EntryNo Entry-

Influences:

.. .. UK WINNERS: 1967 - Sandi Shaw - Puppet on a string: 1969 - Lulu - Boom Bang A Bang 1976 - Brotherhood of Man - Save Your Kisses for me: 1981 - Bucks Fizz - Makin' Your Mind Up: 1997 - Katrina and the waves - Love Shine a light:

Record Label:

EBU / CMC