UK national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision: You Decide | |
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The National Lottery Live (1997–1998) |
Eurovision: You Decide is the most recent name of a BBC television programme that was broadcast annually to select the United Kingdom's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. The show had previously gone under several other names, including Festival of British Popular Songs (1957), Eurovision Song Contest British Final (1959–1960), The Great British Song Contest (1996–1999), Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up (2004–2007), Eurovision: Your Decision (2008), and Eurovision: Your Country Needs You (2009–2010), but was known, for most of its history, as A Song for Europe (1961–1995, 2000–2003).
The selection process, originally broadcast on BBC One, has varied between selecting both the performer and song, or just the song in some years, and has been hosted by a variety of presenters over the years. For most years the public has been able to vote for the winner, in the past with postcard voting, where the viewers sent postcards with their vote to the BBC, but more recently televoting and online. In 2009 and 2010, the singer was chosen by a public vote and the song internally selected.
The most recent name and format, Eurovision: You Decide, was adopted in 2016, as between 2011 and 2015 the UK representative had been internally selected by the BBC, resulting in the televised selection show being suspended. The 2016 edition of You Decide was broadcast on BBC Four,[2] while the You Decide editions between 2017 and 2019 were aired on BBC Two.[3] In September 2019, the You Decide format was dropped in favour of a return to the internal selection method,[4] in which BBC Studios partners with a music company (BMG in 2020 and 2021,[5] and TaP in 2022 and 2023[6][7][8]) to select and produce its entry.
History
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 the "Festival of British Popular Songs" (1957) and "Eurovision Song Contest British Finals" (1959 and 1960).
In 1961 the show became known by its more familiar title, "A Song For Europe", with regional juries once more deciding the winner. Typically, during that period, singers would be invited by the BBC 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 much cherished 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 selected to go forward to the Eurovision Song Contest final itself.
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 much lower 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, including top marks from Ireland) prompted the BBC to use more mainstream pop stars, 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.
After 1964, the "Song For Europe" selection process was incorporated into other BBC light entertainment shows, in addition to the songs being broadcast on BBC Radio programmes. Typically, the performer would sing one song a week either on their own series or as a guest on another regular BBC TV show, more often than not, televised on Saturdays. This culminated with the performer singing all the songs one after another in a special edition of the given show. From 1968 to 1975, these performances were then immediately repeated before viewers were asked to cast their votes by mail. The following week, the winning song would be announced and performed once more, although there was a two-week wait in 1965.
In 1968, Cliff Richard performed the songs only in a special edition of Cilla Black's eponymous TV series (broadcast on Tuesdays), without having sung them weekly beforehand. The various shows chosen for the "Song For Europe" performances were The Kathy Kirby Show (1965 shown on Fridays), Kenneth McKellar's A Song For Everyone (1966 shown on Thursdays), The Rolf Harris Show (1967), Cilla (1968 and 1973), Lulu (1969 and 1975), It's Cliff Richard! (1970, 1971 and 1972) and Clunk, Click... As It Happens (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. Originally, Cilla Black's 1974 nine-part BBC series was also scheduled to feature the 'Song for Europe' process, but Black was uncomfortable at promoting another female singer (Newton-John) each week throughout the series' run and in a rather last minute decision, the BBC arranged to move the process to another show, necessitating the contracted process.[9]
This period was highly successful for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. Author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor notes in his book The Eurovision Song Contest – The Official History, that every UK entry to the contest from 1967 to 1977 finished in the top four, with only three songs not being first or second.[10] Indeed, the UK were only 7 points short of four consecutive victories from 1967 to 1970.
1970s and 1980s
In 1976, the method used from 1961 – 1963 was reinstated. 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
In 1977, a strike by
The 1980 result ended in a tie between
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
The number of entries briefly increased to ten in 1987 when record companies were invited to submit songs, but after a poor result from
1990s
As a result of the disappointing results in 1990 and 1991, the system that was used between 1964 and 1975 was resurrected, with the
A dramatic modernisation was introduced in 1995 in an attempt to boost the profile of the contest. Jonathan King was drafted in as Executive Producer 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, which featured singer and former Page 3 model 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 ("I Need You") made the top 10 in the UK singles charts, reaching #7 and #10 respectively, while three other entries – Dear Jon "One Gift of Love" at #68, Londonbeat "I'm Just Your Puppet on A... (String!)" at #55 and Sox "Go for the Heart" at #47 – all reached the UK top 100.
In 1996, a semi-final was reintroduced for the first time since 1960 and the show's name was changed to The Great British Song Contest. All eight songs were performed on
Jonathan King resigned, certain that, if Gina G could not win, nothing he selected could, but the BBC persuaded him to stay in charge and he decided to retain the same formula again, but with an added twist. All eight contestants would be heard on
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.
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
2003 saw terrible disappointment. 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 four 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 John Kennedy O'Connor, with 26 entries in the Eurovision field, this made "Cry Baby" the least successful song in the entire history of the contest.[10] No song in the Eurovision final scored "nul points" again until 2015.
The 2004 selection was completely different and had a hugely increased budget. Gone was the Song For Europe name, replaced with Making Your Mind Up. The radio semi-final was also gone, although the songs were presented on a regular edition of Top of the Pops two weeks prior to the live final. The six songs were performed live in a prime time Saturday night show hosted by Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin with additional programmes on BBC Three hosted by Paddy O'Connell and Lorraine Kelly. Last year's ESC winner Sertab Erener performed "Everyway That I Can" to open the show. This raised the profile of the competition, although there was criticism[by whom?] 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
In February 2006 it was announced that artists competing in the
During a press conference on 28 February 2007, the BBC confirmed that the artists taking part in Making Your Mind Up would include
For the first time, the show was filmed at The Maidstone Studios in Kent. The hour long final was broadcast at 7:30 pm on 17 March 2007 on BBC One, with the half hour results show showing at 9:30 pm 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.[14]
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
The
2010s
For 2010, the BBC announced on 29 January 2010, that songwriter and music producer
On 29 January 2011, the BBC confirmed that boy band
For 2012, Engelbert Humperdinck was selected internally by the BBC to represent the UK in Baku, Azerbaijan with the song "Love Will Set You Free". The song is written by Grammy award-winning producer Martin Terefe and Ivor Novello winner Sacha Skarbek, who co-wrote James Blunt hit "You're Beautiful". It was reportedly recorded in London, Los Angeles and Nashville.[23] At 76 years of age, Humperdinck was the oldest artist ever to appear for the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest and the first UK artist since 1976 to sing first. He placed second-to-last, only beating Norway.
Another internal selection took place for 2013, with Bonnie Tyler being chosen by the BBC to represent the UK in Malmö, Sweden. She came 19th in the Eurovision contest.[24]
A fourth internal selection followed in 2014, with
A fifth internal selection in 2015 selected the unknown act 'Electro Velvet' who went on to represent the UK with the song "Still in Love with You". The song was met with a mixed to negative reaction by the media and public.[26] The artists and song were presented to the public in a special presentation show titled Our Song for Eurovision 2015 broadcast via the BBC Red Button service in March 2015. In the final the UK could only manage 24th place out of the 27 entries.
The BBC announced on 30 September 2015 that the national public vote format would be returning to select the entry for the 2016 contest.
On 6 October 2016, the BBC announced that the You Decide show would return in 2017 with more details to be announced later in the year.
On 29 September 2017, it was confirmed that Eurovision: You Decide would return in 2018 on BBC Two.[32] On 16 November 2017, Måns Zelmerlöw was announced as co-host for the UK national selection, which took place on 7 February 2018 at the Brighton Dome. The Dome was the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest 1974.[33] The contest was won by SuRie performing "Storm" written and composed by Nicole Blair, Gil Lewis and Sean Hargreaves.[34] The national final was watched by 900,000 viewers in the United Kingdom with a market share of 4.8% and thus failed to register in the Top 30 programmes viewed on BBC Two for the week.[35] At the contest, the song placed 24th, but became infamous for its performance being disrupted at the live Grand Final in Lisbon by a stage invader.
Song submissions for the 2019 edition opened on 19 September 2018.[36] On 30 November, the BBC announced that a new format would be used for 2019. Three songs, selected with the help of an international jury, were each performed in two musically different styles by two different artists, with one act from each pair going through to a final public vote. For the first time, the national final was broadcast live from Dock10, MediaCityUK in Salford.[37] On 11 January, the date of the national final was confirmed as 8 February.[38] Michael Rice's rendition of "Bigger than Us", written and composed by Laurell Barker, Anna-Klara Folin, John Lundvik and Jonas Thander, won the national final. However, the song finished last in the Grand Final in Tel Aviv, making it the fourth time in the past 16 years that the United Kingdom has finished at the bottom of the scoreboard.
2020s
On 16 September 2019, it was announced that You Decide had been axed and that the song selection would return to the internal selection format most recently used between 2011 and 2015. The entry for the 2020 contest was chosen in collaboration with
On 21 October 2021, it was confirmed that BBC Studios would partner with TaP Music to select and produce its entry for the 2022 contest,
Contestants
Winners
For UK Singles Chart positions, only tracks that have appeared in the officially recognised and published Top 50 (to 1978), Top 75 (to 2012) and Top 100 (from 2012) are included. Any track that fell below the published threshold was not a UK chart hit.
Festival of British Popular Songs (1957)
Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
---|---|---|---|---|
1957 | Patricia Bredin | " All "
|
Not recorded or released | 7th |
Eurovision Song Contest British Final (1959–1960)
Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
---|---|---|---|---|
1959 | Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson
|
"Sing, Little Birdie" | 12 | 2nd |
1960 | Bryan Johnson | "Looking High, High, High" | 20 | 2nd |
A Song for Europe (1961–1995)
The Great British Song Contest (1996–1999)
Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | Gina G | "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" | 1 | 8th |
1997 | Katrina and the Waves | "Love Shine a Light" | 3 | 1st |
1998 | Imaani | "Where Are You?" | 15 | 2nd |
1999 | Precious
|
"Say It Again" | 6 | 12th |
A Song for Europe (2000–2003)
Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | Nicki French | "Don't Play That Song Again" | 34 | 16th |
2001 | Lindsay D | "No Dream Impossible" | 32 | 15th |
2002 | Jessica Garlick | "Come Back" | 13 | 3rd |
2003 | Jemini | "Cry Baby" | 15 | 26th (0) |
Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up (2004–2007)
Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | James Fox | " Hold On to Our Love "
|
13 | 16th |
2005 | Javine | "Touch My Fire" | 18 | 22nd |
2006 | Daz Sampson | "Teenage Life" | 8 | 19th |
2007 | Scooch | " Flying the Flag (for You) "
|
5 | 22nd |
Eurovision: Your Decision (2008)
Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Andy Abraham | "Even If" | 67 | 25th |
Eurovision: Your Country Needs You (2009–2010)
Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Jade Ewen | " It's My Time "
|
27 | 5th |
2010 | Josh Dubovie
|
"That Sounds Good to Me"[52] | Failed to chart[g] | 25th |
Internal selection (2011–2015)
Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Blue
|
"I Can"[19] | 16 | 11th |
2012 | Engelbert Humperdinck | "Love Will Set You Free" | 60 | 25th |
2013 | Bonnie Tyler | "Believe in Me" | 93 | 19th |
2014 | Molly | "Children of the Universe" | 23 | 17th |
2015 | Electro Velvet | "Still in Love with You" | Failed to chart[h] | 24th |
Eurovision: You Decide (2016–2019)
Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Joe and Jake | "You're Not Alone" | 81 | 24th |
2017 | Lucie Jones | "Never Give Up on You" | 73 | 15th |
2018 | SuRie | "Storm" | 50 | 24th |
2019 | Michael Rice | "Bigger than Us" | Failed to chart[i] | 26th |
Internal selection (2020–present)
Year | Artist | Song | UK Chart | At Eurovision |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | James Newman
|
"My Last Breath" | Failed to chart[j] | Contest cancelled[k] |
2021 | James Newman | "Embers" | 47 | 26th (0) |
2022 | Sam Ryder | "Space Man" | 2 | 2nd |
2023 | Mae Muller | "I Wrote a Song" | 9 | 25th |
2024 | Olly Alexander | "Dizzy" | 42 | TBC |
Broadcast
From 1964 to 1975, the Song for Europe programme was pre-recorded, often several weeks in advance.[54] The result was typically broadcast one week after each Song for Europe programme. From 1988 to 1991, in 1995, and again from 2004 to 2008 the result was broadcast in a separate programme, shown later the same night as the performances. From 1986 to 1995, A Song for Europe was also broadcast on BBC Radio 2 with commentary by Ray Moore in 1986–87 and later by Ken Bruce from 1988, although Radio 2 did not broadcast the results show from 1991 onwards.
From 1992 to 1994, the programme was again pre-recorded, but the result show was live and broadcast on the same, or following night. In 1997 and 1998, the results were announced the following Saturday after the final and on the following Friday in 1999.
From 1957 to 1960, there were various televised semi-finals ahead of the UK final. This was reintroduced in 1996, with a preliminary round of voting to eliminate 4 of the 8 songs. This was televised in 1996 but switched to radio from 1997 to 2003.
Venues and presenters
Year | Selection show | Main venue | National final | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main presenter | Co-host | Semi-final/heat host | ||||
1957 | Festival of British Popular Songs | The King's Theatre | David Jacobs | No co-host | David Jacobs | |
1959 | Eurovision Song Contest British Final | BBC Television Theatre
|
Pete Murray
|
Pete Murray | ||
1960 | David Jacobs | David Jacobs | ||||
1961 | A Song for Europe | Katie Boyle | No semi final/heat | |||
1962 | David Jacobs | |||||
1963 | ||||||
1964 | ||||||
1965 | ||||||
1966 | ||||||
1967 | Rolf Harris | |||||
1968 | Cilla Black | |||||
1969 | Michael Aspel | |||||
1970 | Cliff Richard | |||||
1971 | ||||||
1972 | ||||||
1973 | Cilla Black | |||||
1974 | Jimmy Savile | |||||
1975 | Lulu | |||||
1976 | Royal Albert Hall | Michael Aspel | ||||
1977[a] | New London Theatre
|
Terry Wogan | ||||
1978 | Royal Albert Hall | |||||
1979[a] | ||||||
1980 | BBC Television Theatre
| |||||
1981 | ||||||
1982 | BBC Television Centre
| |||||
1983 | BBC Television Theatre | |||||
1984 | BBC Television Centre | |||||
1985 | ||||||
1986 | ||||||
1987 | ||||||
1988 | ||||||
1989 | ||||||
1990 | ||||||
1991 | ||||||
1992 | ||||||
1993 | ||||||
1994 | ||||||
1995 | ||||||
1996 | The Great British Song Contest | Nicky Campbell | ||||
1997 | Dale Winton | Ken Bruce Terry Wogan | ||||
1998 | Terry Wogan | Ulrika Jonsson | ||||
1999 | BBC Elstree Studios | Ulrika Jonsson | No co-host | |||
2000 | A Song for Europe | Katy Hill | ||||
2001 | ||||||
2002 | Christopher Price | Claire Sweeney | ||||
2003 | BBC Television Centre | Terry Wogan | No co-host | |||
2004 | Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up | Gaby Roslin | No semi-final/heat | |||
2005 | Natasha Kaplinsky | |||||
2006 | ||||||
2007 | The Maidstone Studios | Fearne Cotton | ||||
2008 | Eurovision: Your Decision | BBC Television Centre | Claudia Winkleman | |||
2009 | Eurovision: Your Country Needs You | Graham Norton | No co-host | Graham Norton | ||
2010 | No semi-final/heat | |||||
2011 | Internal selection | |||||
2012 | ||||||
2013 | ||||||
2014 | The UK Launch[c] | One MayFair | Scott Mills (presentation show) |
No co-host | Internal selection | |
2015 | Our Song for Eurovision 2015[c] | Café de Paris
| ||||
2016 | Eurovision: You Decide | The O2 Forum
|
Mel Giedroyc | No semi-final/heat | ||
2017 | Eventim Apollo | |||||
2018 | Brighton Dome | Måns Zelmerlöw | ||||
2019 | Dock10, MediaCityUK | |||||
2020 | Internal selection | |||||
2021 | ||||||
2022 | ||||||
2023 | Eurovision 2023: Meet the UK Act[l] | Internal selection | ||||
2024 | Graham Meets Olly[l] |
Guest commentators, panellists and judges
Featured in 1988–1990, 1994–1995, 2004–2010 and 2016–2019.
Year | Commentators and panellists |
---|---|
1988 | Gloria Hunniford, George Martin, Bruce Welch, Mike Batt |
1989 | Deke Arlon, Gary Davies, Leslie Bricusse, Lulu |
1990 | Cathy McGowan, Gloria Hunniford, Carl Davis, Tim Rice |
1994 | Richard O'Brien, Jonathan King |
1995 | Jonathan King, Mike Read, Cheryl Baker, Tony Mortimer, Ian Dury, Let Loose, Bruno Brookes, Scarlet |
2004 | Lorraine Kelly, Harry Hill, Carrie Grant |
2005 | Jonathan Ross, Bruno Tonioli, Paddy O'Connell, Natalie Cassidy |
2006 | Jonathan Ross, Bruno Tonioli, Fearne Cotton, Kelly Osbourne |
2007 | John Barrowman, Mel Giedroyc |
2009 | Lulu,[m][n] Arlene Phillips,[m] Duncan James,[m][n] Emma Bunton,[m] Alesha Dixon[m] |
2010 | Bruno Tonioli, Jade Ewen, Mike Stock |
2016 | Carrie Grant, Katrina Leskanich, Jay Revell |
2017 | Bruno Tonioli, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, CeCe Sammy |
2018 | Rylan Clark-Neal, Rochelle Humes, Tom Fletcher |
2019 | Rylan Clark, Marvin Humes, Mollie King |
Year | Judges |
---|---|
2008 | John Barrowman,[o] Carrie Grant,[o] Terry Wogan[p] |
2009 | Andrew Lloyd Webber,[p] Colin Barlow (auditions)[57] |
2010 | Pete Waterman[o] |
2017[q] | Bruno Tonioli, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, CeCe Sammy |
2018 | Caroline Sullivan, Roisin O'Connor, Steve Tandy, Sara Sesardic, Alastair Webber, Marco Sensi, David Grant, Kele Le Roc |
2019 | Rylan Clark,[o] Marvin Humes,[o] Mollie King[o] |
Regional vote announcers
Featured in 1957, 1959 to 1964, 1976 to 1978, 1980 to 1987 and from 2003 to 2006. Although regional juries were used in 1979, the broadcast was abandoned and the scores tallied without announcements.
In 1976, host Michael Aspel did not name any of the jury spokesman (there were no women announcing any of the scores) and none of them identified themselves; despite some of the voices being familiar to BBC viewers and listeners. The list provided is thus independently researched.
Jury Spokespersons[58] | |
---|---|
Jury | Spokesperson |
Bristol | Chris Denham |
Bangor | Elfyn Thomas |
Leeds | Brian Baines |
Norwich | John Crowest |
Newcastle | Mike Neville |
Aberdeen | Gerry Davis |
Birmingham | Tom Coyne |
Manchester | Mike Riddoch |
Belfast | Michael Baguley |
Cardiff | Iwan Thomas |
Plymouth | Donald Heighway |
Glasgow | David Findlay |
Southampton | Peter Macann |
London | Ray Moore |
Jury Spokespersons[58] | |
---|---|
Jury | Spokesperson |
Belfast | Michael Baguley |
Bristol | Chris Denham |
Aberdeen | Gerry Davis |
Leeds | Brian Baines |
Bangor | Emrys Jones |
London | Ray Moore |
Birmingham | David Shoot |
Cardiff | Frank Lincoln |
Glasgow | David Findlay |
Manchester | Mike Riddoch |
Southampton | Paul Harris |
Norwich | Ian Masters |
Newcastle | Mike Neville |
Plymouth | Kevin Crooks |
Region | Announcer |
---|---|
Aberdeen | Gerry Davis |
Norwich | Chris Denham |
Manchester | Mike Riddoch |
Bangor | Gwyn Llewelyn |
Southampton | Peter Macann |
Leeds | Brian Baines |
Belfast | Michael Baguley |
Bristol | Derek Jones |
Glasgow | Ken Bruce |
Birmingham | Tom Coyne |
London | Ray Moore |
Cardiff | Frank Lincoln |
Newcastle | Mike Neville |
Plymouth | Donald Hayway |
Region | Announcer |
---|---|
Aberdeen | Gerry Davis |
Newcastle | Mike Neville |
Plymouth | Donald Hayway |
Leeds | Brian Baines |
Southampton | Peter Macann |
Bangor | Alan Evans |
London | Colin Berry |
Cardiff | Iwan Thomas |
Birmingham | David Stevens |
Glasgow | Douglas Brock |
Belfast | Mike Baguley |
Bristol | Derek Jones |
Norwich | Jill Hewitt |
Manchester | John Mundy |
Region | Announcer |
---|---|
Birmingham | David Stevens |
Cardiff | Iwan Thomas |
Manchester | John Mundy |
Belfast | Peter Dickson |
Edinburgh | Jim O'Hara |
London | Ray Moore |
Bristol | Andy Batten-Foster |
Region | Announcer |
---|---|
Glasgow | Ken Bruce |
Birmingham | David Freeman |
Bristol | Andy Batten-Foster |
Belfast | David Olver |
London | Ray Moore |
Manchester | John Mundy |
Cardiff | Iwan Thomas |
Region | Announcer |
---|---|
Cardiff | Iwan Thomas |
Belfast | David Olver |
Norwich | Ian Masters |
Glasgow | Ken Bruce |
Bristol | Andy Batten-Foster |
Birmingham | Marjorie Lofthouse |
Manchester | John Mundy |
London | Colin Berry |
Region | Announcer |
---|---|
Edinburgh | Ken Bruce |
Norwich | Judi Lines |
Belfast | Diane Harron |
London | Colin Berry |
Cardiff | Iwan Thomas |
Manchester | Alan Yardley |
Bristol | Vivien Creegor |
Birmingham | Paul Coia |
Region | Announcer |
---|---|
Belfast | Jim Neely |
Birmingham | Paul Coia |
Cardiff | Iwan Thomas |
Glasgow | Viv Lumsden |
London | Colin Berry |
Norwich | Stuart White |
Bristol | Vivien Creegor |
Manchester | John Mundy |
Plymouth | Christopher Slade |
Region | Announcer |
---|---|
Birmingham | Paul Coia |
Manchester | John Mundy |
Bristol | Angela Rippon |
Norwich | David Platen |
Newcastle | Mike Neville |
Cardiff | Maureen Staffer |
London | Colin Berry |
Leeds | Linda Driburgh-Smith |
Glasgow | Dougie Donnelly |
Plymouth | Christopher Slade |
Belfast | Rose Neill |
Region | Announcer |
---|---|
Belfast | Stephanie Callister |
Birmingham | Pamela Armstrong |
Bristol | Angela Rippon |
Edinburgh | Louise Welsh |
Cardiff | Iwan Thomas |
Manchester | John Mundy |
London | Colin Berry |
Newcastle | Simon Willis[59][failed verification] |
Norwich | Susan Osman |
Region | Announcer |
---|---|
South England | Esther Rantzen |
Wales | Jessica Garlick |
Northern Ireland | Joe Mace |
Midlands England | Mel and Sue |
North England | Matt Baker
|
Scotland | Nicholas Parsons |
Region/vote | Announcer(s) |
---|---|
South East England | Fearne Cotton |
Scotland | Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan |
Northern Ireland | Malachi Cush |
Wales | Colin Jackson |
North England | Sonia |
Midlands England | Hayley Evetts |
South West England | Sharron Davies |
SMS | Lorraine Kelly |
Region/vote | Announcer(s) |
---|---|
Northern Ireland | Zöe Salmon
|
North England | Stuart Hall |
Scotland | Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan |
Wales | James Fox |
South West England | Sharron Davies |
Midlands England | Denise Lewis |
South East England | Fearne Cotton |
Internet | Ruslana |
SMS | Sandie Shaw |
Region | Announcer(s) |
---|---|
Scotland | Michelle McManus |
Wales | Maggot |
Northern Ireland | Roy Walker |
North England | Kelli Young |
Midlands England | Rustie Lee |
South East England | Alistair Appleton |
South West England | Simon Grant |
Internet | Javine Hylton |
SMS | Helena Paparizou |
Viewing figures
Year | Nominal | Share | Channel |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | 2,660,000[60] | Unknown | BBC One |
9,810,000[60] | |||
1999 | 3,140,000[61] | ||
3,040,000[61] | BBC Two | ||
2004 | 7,200,000[62] | BBC One | |
2005 | 7,500,000[63] | ||
2006 | 2,800,000[64] | ||
6,100,000[64] | |||
2007 | 5,100,000[65] | 22.6%[65] | |
5,600,000[65] | 25.7%[65] | ||
2008 | 5,000,300[66] | 24%[67] | |
2009 | 5,610,000[66] | 25%[68] | |
2010 | 2,920,000[69] | 12.5% | |
2016 | 680,000[70] | 3.2%[70] | BBC Four[71] |
2017 | 1,260,000[70] | 6.6% | BBC Two[71][72][37] |
2018 | 900,000[35] | 4.8%[35] | |
2019 | 1,170,000[73] | 6.4%[73] |
Discography
UK singles chart successes for all entries to the UK final
Only tracks that have appeared in the officially recognised Top 50 (to 1978), Top 75 (to 2012) and Top 100 (from 2012) are included:
Year | Chart | Song title | Artist |
---|---|---|---|
1959 | 12 | "Sing Little Birdie" | Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson |
1960 | 20 | "Looking High, High, High" | Bryan Johnson |
1961 | 27 | "Dream Girl" | Mark Wynter |
1961 | 2 | "Are You Sure?" | The Allisons |
1962 | 46 | "Ring-a-Ding Girl" | Ronnie Carroll |
1962 | 9 | "Never Goodbye" | Karl Denver |
1963 | 6 | "Say Wonderful Things" | Ronnie Carroll |
1965 | 36 | "I Belong"/"I'll Try Not to Cry" | Kathy Kirby |
1966 | 30 | "A Man Without Love"/"Country Girl" | Kenneth McKellar |
1967 | 1 | "Puppet on a String"/"Tell the Boys" | Sandie Shaw |
1968 | 1 | "Congratulations"/"High 'n' Dry" | Cliff Richard |
1969 | 2 | "Boom Bang-a-Bang"/"March" | Lulu |
1970 | 2 | "Knock, Knock (Who's There)?"/"I'm Gonna Fall in Love Again" | Mary Hopkin |
1971 | 4 | "Jack in the Box"/"The Wind of Change"/"Someone to Love Me" | Clodagh Rodgers |
1971 | 13 | "Another Time, Another Place" | Engelbert Humperdinck[r] |
1972[s] | 2 | "Beg, Steal or Borrow"/"One by One" | The New Seekers |
1973 | 4 | "Power to All Our Friends"/"Come Back Billie Jo" | Cliff Richard |
1973 | 29 | "Help It Along"/"Tomorrow Rising"/"Ashes to Ashes"/"Days of Love" | Cliff Richard |
1974 | 11 | "Long Live Love"/"Angeleyes" | Olivia Newton-John |
1975 | 12 | "Let Me Be the One"/"Stand Up Like a Man" | The Shadows |
1975 | 20 | "Don't Throw It All Away" | Gary Benson[t] |
1976 | 1 | "Save Your Kisses for Me" | Brotherhood of Man |
1977 | 19 | "Rock Bottom" | Mike Moran
|
1978 | 13 | "The Bad Old Days" | Co-Co |
1979 | 42 | "Mary Ann" | Black Lace
|
1980 | 48 | "Love Enough for Two" | Prima Donna
|
1981 | 1 | "Making Your Mind Up" | Bucks Fizz
|
1981 | 42 | "Don't Panic" | Liquid Gold |
1981 | 10 | "Have You Ever Been in Love?" | Leo Sayer[u] |
1982 | 2 | "One Step Further" | Bardo |
1983 | 21 | "I'm Never Giving Up" | Sweet Dreams |
1984 | 11 | "Love Games" | Belle and the Devotions |
1985 | 49 | "Love Is..." | Vikki |
1985 | 85 | "The Clock on the Wall" | Alvin Stardust[v] |
1986 | 98 | "Runner in the Night" | Ryder[w] |
1987 | 96 | "Only the Light" | Rikki[w] |
1988 | 52 | "Go" | Scott Fitzgerald |
1989 | 73 | "Why Do I Always Get It Wrong?" | Live Report |
1990 | 33 | "Give a Little Love Back to the World" | Emma |
1991 | 30 | "A Message to Your Heart" | Samantha Janus
|
1992 | 20 | "One Step Out of Time" | Michael Ball
|
1993 | 15 | "Better the Devil You Know" | Sonia |
1994 | 25 | "Lonely Symphony (We Will Be Free)" | Frances Ruffelle |
1995 | 7 | "Love City Groove" | Love City Groove |
1995 | 10 | "I Need You" | Deuce |
1995 | 55 | "I'm Just Your Puppet (On a String)" | Londonbeat |
1995 | 47 | "Go for the Heart" | Sox |
1995 | 68 | "One Gift of Love" | Dear Jon |
1996 | 1 | "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" | Gina G |
1996 | 50 | "I Gave You Everything" | Code Red |
1997 | 3 | "Love Shine a Light" | Katrina and the Waves |
1998 | 15 | "Where Are You?" | Imaani |
1999 | 6 | "Say It Again" | Precious
|
2000 | 34 | "Don't Play That Song Again" | Nicki French |
2000 | 72 | "Only the Women Know" | Six Chix |
2001 | 32 | "No Dream Impossible" | Lindsay D |
2001 | 42 | "To Die For" | Luke Galliana |
2002 | 13 | "Come Back" | Jessica Garlick |
2003 | 15 | "Cry Baby" | Jemini |
2004 | 13 | "Hold On to Our Love" | James Fox |
2005 | 18 | "Touch My Fire" | Javine |
2006 | 8 | "Teenage Life" | Daz Sampson |
2007 | 5 | "Flying the Flag (For You)" | Scooch |
2008 | 67 | "Even If" | Andy Abraham |
2009 | 27 | " It's My Time "
|
Jade Ewen |
2011 | 16 | "I Can" | Blue
|
2012 | 60 | "Love Will Set You Free" | Engelbert Humperdinck |
2013 | 93 | "Believe in Me" | Bonnie Tyler |
2014 | 23 | "Children of the Universe" | Molly |
2016 | 81 | "You're Not Alone" | Joe and Jake |
2017 | 73 | "Never Give Up on You" | Lucie Jones |
2018 | 50 | "Storm" | SuRie |
2021 | 47 | "Embers" | James Newman
|
2022 | 2 | "Space Man" | Sam Ryder
|
2023 | 9 | "I Wrote a Song" | Mae Muller |
2024 | 42 | "Dizzy" | Olly Alexander |
UK year end chart positions
Positions achieved in the year end
Year | Chart | Song | Artist | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1959 | 87 | "Sing Little Birdie" | Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson | [74] |
1961 | 8 | "Are You Sure?" | The Allisons | [75] |
1962 | 49 | "Never Goodbye" | Karl Denver | [76] |
1963 | 65 | "Say Wonderful Things" | Ronnie Carroll | [77] |
1967 | 6 | "Puppet on a String" | Sandie Shaw | [78] |
1968 | 19 | "Congratulations" | Cliff Richard | [79] |
1969 | 44 | "Boom Bang-a-Bang" | Lulu | [80] |
1970 | 36 | "Knock, Knock (Who's There?)" | Mary Hopkin | [81] |
1971 | 73 | "Jack in the Box" | Clodagh Rodgers | [82] |
1972 | 14 | "Beg, Steal or Borrow" | The New Seekers | [83] |
1973 | 46 | "Power to all our Friends" | Cliff Richard | [84] |
1976 | 1 | "Save Your Kisses for Me" | Brotherhood of Man | [85] |
1981 | 7 | "Making Your Mind Up" | Bucks Fizz | [86] |
1982 | 79 | "One Step Further" | Bardo | [87] |
1995 | 78 | "Love City Groove" | Love City Groove | [88] |
1996 | 4 | "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" | Gina G | [89] |
1997 | 64 | "Love Shine a Light" | Katrina and the Waves | [90] |
2022 | 66 | "Space Man" | Sam Ryder | [91] |
UK extended play chart successes
From 1964 to 1968,
Year | Title | Songs | Artist | Chart | Label |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1964 | A Song for Europe |
|
Matt Monro | 16 | Parlophone |
1965 | BBC TV's Song for Europe |
|
Kathy Kirby | 9 | Decca |
1967 | Tell the Boys |
|
Sandie Shaw | 4 | Pye |
Trivia
This section may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience. |
- According to John Kennedy O'Connor's book The Eurovision Song Contest – The Official History, the selection of Clodagh Rodgers in 1971 was due in part at nervousness within the BBC as to what reception the UK entrant would receive on stage in Dublin at the Eurovision final due to the unrest in Northern Ireland at the time.[92]
- Paul Curtis holds the record for writing/composing the most number of winning songs, having won the UK heat on four occasions (1975, 1984, 1990 and 1991). The other writers/composers to win the contest more than once are Syd Cordell and Stan Butcher, who won the contest with a joint composition in both 1959 and 1962; Bill Martin and Phil Coulter won in 1967 and 1968, going on to win the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967; and Stephanie de Sykesand Stuart Slater won the contest together in 1978 and 1980.
- Paul Curtis also holds the record for writing/composing the most number of entries in the UK domestic competition. Between 1975 and 1992, 22 of his songs appeared in the UK final. From 1982 to 1984, he composed 8 of the 24 finalists.
- Authors and composers from four of the five teams who won the UK domestic heat and went on to win the Eurovision Song Contest subsequently (Bill Martin, Phil Coulter, Lee Sheridan, Martin Lee, Tony Hiller, Andy Hill, John Danter and Kimberley Rew) all made multiple attempts to write songs for Eurovision; all reaching the UK final with other songs. Only the 1969 winners Peter Warne and Alan Moorhouse never had songs featured in the UK heat other than their winning song.
- Blue, Engelbert Humperdinck and Bonnie Tylerhad all enjoyed a number one UK single prior to putting themselves forward for Eurovision.
- Bucks Fizz and Gina Gare the only acts to take their song from the UK final to number one in the UK singles chart.
- Only Bucks Fizz and Michael Ball have been able to reach the pinnacle of the top of the UK singles chart after appearing in the contest. Ball's first number one single was achieved 28 years after his Eurovision appearance.[93] Additionally, other Song for Europe contestants, Kenny Lynch, The Nolans, Black Lace and Tony Christie all took part in the charity supergroup project The Crowd, formed specifically to produce a charity record for the Bradford City stadium fire, in which 56 people died on 11 May 1985. Their song "You'll Never Walk Alone" topped the UK singles chart in June 1985. Another 'charity supergroup' named Ferry Aid topped the UK singles chart in 1987 with the single Let It Be. This group featured contributions from Hazell Dean, Bucks Fizz, Bobby McVay, The New Seekers, The Nolans, Alvin Stardust and Bonnie Tyler. Another Song for Europe veteran, Des Dyer (1983 and 1985), provided the vocals on behalf of Robson & Jeromefor three UK number one singles in the 1990s.
- Polly Brown is the only artist in a multi-artist final to perform two songs. She appeared as a soloist and as one half of Sweet Dreams in the 1976 competition, finishing 10th and 4th respectively. Catherine Porter had two songs in the 2000 competition, but only one reached the televised final.
- The Sweet Dreams who placed 4th in 1976 are no relation to the Sweet Dreams that won the contest in 1983. The first is a male/female duo, the second is a trio of two girls and one boy. Carrie Grant, who works extensively on British TV as a voice coach, was a member of the Sweet Dreams trio.
- The Pearls, a female quartet formed specifically for the 1989 contest are no relation to The Pearls, a female duo who had some minor chart hits in the early 1970s. Similarly, Joanne Castle, a female soloist who performed under the name 'Christie' in the 1991 contest, is no relation to the male group Christie that topped the UK charts with the song "Yellow River".
- 'Beano' participated in the 1977 contest, placing 10th with a song written by Paul Curtis, who wrote four UK Eurovision entries, before returning in 1980 as 'Scramble' to place 6th, with a song written by the composer of the 1979 UK Eurovision entry, Peter Morris.
- Bardoin 1982.
- Sally-Ann Triplettis the only multiple contender to win the contest at all attempts.
- Cheryl Baker and Gina G are the only artists from multi-artist contests to finish both first and last. Baker did so in consecutive years, 1980 and 1981. Gina G is the only solo returning winner to finish last, albeit being fifth in a field of five.
- Ronnie Carroll and James Newman are the only artists to represent the UK at Eurovision in consecutive years, although Newman did not get to participate in the cancelled 2020 competition.
- Singers who have won the A Song for Europe contest and yet to return were Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Ronnie Carroll, Lyn Paul of The New Seekers, Terry Bradford, Keith Hasler and Cheryl Baker of Co-Co (renaming themselves The Main Event), Sally-Ann Triplett, Lance Aston & Jane Robbins of Prima Donna and Gina G. Bryan Johnson, Ronnie Carroll, the same members of Co-Co and Bobby McVay, the lead singer of 1983 winning group Sweet Dreams, had entered the contest prior to winning. Johnson in 1959, Carroll in 1960, Co-Co in 1976 and McVay in 1982 as the lead singer of Lovin' Feeling.
- Including backing singers and musicians, several other artists have represented the UK multiple times without credit. The Ladybirds sang backing vocals for the UK entry in 1967, 1974 and 1977. The Breakaways were the backing singers in 1968 and 1971 and additionally sang backing vocals for the 1977 Israeli entry. Lavinia Rodgers joined The Breakaways for backing vocal duty at the 1971 Eurovision final, backing her sister Clodagh and later took part in the 1982 UK final as a member of 'Good Looks'. (Likewise, Sonia also had her sister perform backing vocals at the 1993 Eurovision final, the second of only three siblings ever to represent the UK at Eurovision.) Sisters Sue and Sunny sang backing vocals in 1969 and 1985, also singing the German backing vocals in 1975. One half of Sunny and Sue (Sue Glover) was the lead singer of the group 'Unity' who took part in the 1981 UK final. Brian Bennett sang backing vocals in 1970, before drumming with his group The Shadows representing the UK in 1975. John Farrar and Alan Tarney backed Cliff Richard in 1973 and both were short lived members of The Shadows in 1975. Kit Rolfe was the lead singer of Belle and the Devotions in 1984 and provided off screen backing vocals for the 1983 and 1991 UK entries, as did Hazell Dean. Miriam Stockley was a backing vocalist for the UK in both 1990 and 1997. Bobby G of Bucks Fizz sang the backing vocals for Bardo at the 1982 A Song for Europe contest, but was unavailable to do the same at the Eurovision final in Harrogate. Nichola Martin was a member of both 'Rags' in the 1977 A Song for Europe and 'Gem' (aka 'Paris') in 1981. Martin sang backing vocals for Bucks Fizz at the Eurovision Song Contest 1981, albeit off-camera. Des Dyer failed to win the Song for Europe contest in both 1983 (with 'Casablanca') and 1985, but sang backing vocals for Scott Fitzgerald at the Eurovision Song Contest 1988, alongside Julie Forsyth and Dominic Grant, who with 'Guys & Dolls' had taken part in the 1979 UK final. Sam Blue was one of the UK's backing singers at Eurovision 1990 and he twice took part in the UK heats in his own right; as lead singer of 'Essenes' in 1996 and as a soloist in 1997. Emily Reed finished second in the 2003 UK final and was later one of Daz Sampson's backing singers at the 2006 Eurovision final.[citation needed]
- Brothers Teddy and Bryan Johnson were the first siblings to represent the UK in 1959 and 1960 respectively. After sisters Sue and Sunny performed backing vocals for Lulu at Eurovision 1969, the other siblings to represent the UK were Jane and Kate Robbins (with Prima Donna) in 1980; Lance Aston (Prima Donna) and Jay Aston (Bucks Fizz); while Pam Evans sang backing vocals for her sister Sonia in 1993.
- Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson are the only married couple to win the Song for Europe competition and represent the UK at Eurovision, although Dominic Grant and Julie Forsyth sung backing vocals uncredited in 1988. Martin Lee and Sandra Stevens, of Brotherhood of Man, married some time after winning Eurovision 1976. Eve Graham (of The New Seekers) and Danny Finn (of Prima Donna) married after Graham's appearance in the 1972 contest and before Finn appeared in 1980. Stephanie de Sykes and Stuart Slater twice won the Song for Europe contest as a songwriting team, but despite always being described as husband and wife, they were in actuality not married to each other.
- Terry Wogan has hosted the contest more times than any other presenter and he also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest itself, as did two other hosts of the UK heats and finals; Katie Boyle and Ulrika Jonsson. Angela Rippon hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 1977 and was the Bristol jury spokesperson at the 1986 and 1987 A Song for Europe shows.
- BBC1 variety series. Black was the original choice to sing the UK entry in 1968, but turned it down as she felt it unlikely the UK could score back-to-back wins. She also turned down the chance in 1970 as she was expecting her first child. Other singers who were reported to have turned down the invitation include Slade and Peters and Lee in the 1970s, Bucks Fizz in 1986 and Elaine Paige in the 1990s. Bonnie Tylerwas invited to represent the UK for 1985, but was unavailable. Tyler finally represented the UK in 2013.
- When A Song For Europe contest for 1985. After Bonnie Tyler was unavailable, Lena Zavaroniwas approached by the BBC. This move was blocked by the Music Publishers Association, who preferred to let the writers choose their own performers. In the end, for 1985, only soloists or duets were permitted to take part – no "made for Eurovision" acts – with songwriters limited to two entries each. This rule was only in place for one year.
- A Song For Europecontest. Ray Caruana, the lead singer of Live Report who represented the UK at Eurovision in 1989, later tried to represent Malta in the 1994 contest, but failed to win the Maltese heat.
- Songs that failed to make the UK final but still went on to be hits include "Even the Bad Times Are Good". This was entered for Sandie Shaw in 1967 but went on to reach #4 for The Tremeloes, as did 1968 reject "Hello World", which reached #14. "Turn On The Sun" was turned down for Mary Hopkin in 1970 but later became identified with Nana Mouskouri. Likewise in 1971, "Something Old, Something New" failed to make Clodagh Rodgers' final six but was released by The Fantastics, reaching #9. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice submitted a song for the 1969 contest, "Try It and See", which was rejected. It was later re-written and became "King Herod's Song" in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. Lloyd Webber returned to compose the 2009 UK entry, "It's My Time", in collaboration with Diane Warren.[citation needed]
See also
Notes and references
Notes
- ^ a b c Except on two occasions. In 1977 it was not televised, due to industrial action by BBC cameramen and technicians minutes before the show went live. A recording of the contest was transmitted a few hours later on BBC Radio 2. The 1979 edition of A Song for Europe did not take place, it was abandoned due to a strike by BBC sound engineers.
- ^ BBC Radio 2 did not broadcast the A Song for Europe result shows from 1991 to 1995.
- ^ a b c The announcement of the internally selected artist and song was revealed in a special show broadcast via the BBC Red Button service.
- ^ Aired under various different names
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Both "Runner in the Night" and "Only The Light" reached the lower end of the top 100 of the singles chart reserved for new releases that were 'bubbling under' the official Top 75, but failed to register in the official top 75 itself.
- ^ The track reached 179 as stated on the official charts website.[53]
- ^ Failed to Chart.[53]
- ^ The track reached No.27 in the download only singles chart, but failed to register in the Official Top 100 Singles Chart.
- ^ The track reached No.23 in the download only singles chart, but failed to register in the Official Top 100 Singles Chart.
- ^ The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ^ a b The internally selected artist appeared in a special programme on BBC One where they were interviewed by the host (Mills in 2023 and Norton in 2024). This was followed by the first full televised broadcast of the song's music video.[55][56]
- ^ a b c d e Appeared as a panelist in the televised heats; Lulu in the first and second, Phillips in the first, James in the second, Bunton and Dixon in the third
- ^ a b Appeared as a panelist in the televised final
- ^ a b c d e f Acted as "judges" to eliminate contestants in preliminary rounds
- ^ a b Acted as "judges" to 'save' contestants from elimination
- ^ The names of five of the eight-member professional jury panel were not made public
- ^ "Another Time, Another Place" was included on the 1972 budget LP Clodagh Rodgers, after it had become a No.13 hit single for Engelbert Humperdinck. It also charted in the United States at No.25.
- ^ A cover version of "Songs Of Praise" from the 1972 contest was featured as the B-side of "Dear Elaine", a number 18 UK hit in 1973 for the song's composer, Roy Wood.
- ^ Benson released his own recording of "Don't Throw It All Away", written by himself and David Mindel, which had placed 4th in the national final performed by The Shadows.
- ^ "Have You Ever Been In Love?", composed by Andy Hill, Peter Sinfield and John Danter and performed by Gem in the national final, was a UK no.10 hit for Sayer in 1982, also reaching no.4 in Australia.
- ^ "The Clock On The Wall" appears on EP "So Near To Christmas".
- ^ a b Technically not a hit as the UK chart only officially recorded a Top 75 for singles at the time. The positions 76–100 at this time were only for releases that had not yet appeared in the Top 75, but were 'bubbling under' the Top 75.
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- ^ "Top 100 1961 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1962 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1963 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1967 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1968 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1969 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1970 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1971 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1972 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1973 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1976 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1981 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1982 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1995 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1996 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 1997 – UK Music Charts". www.uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2022". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ISBN 978-1-84442-994-3
- ^ Savage, Mark (24 April 2020). "Captain Tom tops the charts at the age of 99". BBC News.
Works cited
- Roxburgh, Gordon (2020). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Vol. Four: The 1990s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84583-163-9.