Members will investigate the UK’s “bad history” in Eurovision

O UK “bad history” at the Eurovision Song Contest will be investigated by British MPs. The objective is to analyze how the selection of songs and artists for the European competition is made, after several years of poor results. 

“ We want to understand who chooses our representative, on the basis of what criteria and if our bad record of results in recent years is the result of a poor choice of the song, a poor performance... or something else,” said Dame Caroline Dinenage, who presides over the British Parliament’s Committee on Culture, Media and Sport.

According to the BBC, the UK representative is chosen by the British station, sometimes in collaboration with a record label or an artist management company.

Now, representatives of the BBC, as well as specialists in the music industry, are expected to be called to testify before the parliamentary committee, which brings together members from different parties. The hearing will take place “in the coming months”. 

Most countries, including Portugal, usually choose their representative through a national competition. However, the last time this model was used by the British was in 2019 when Michael Rice was chosen. Although selected by his countrymen, the singer was last selected with “Bigger Than Us” in Tel Aviv, Israel. 

“ It is clear that different approaches have been tried over the years,” Dinenage acknowledged. “But who decides who gets on that list? I think all these issues are worth examining.”

“ We need to analyze what the process is and what other processes have been experienced ", stressed. 

The UK entered the Top 10 of the Festival Eurovision of Song every year until 1957 to 2000, with the exception of 1978, 1987 and 1999. During this period, he won the victory five times – the last of which in 1997 with Katrina and The Waves' "Love Shine a Light". 

However, since then he joined the Top 10 only three times and finished last six times in 2003, 2008, 2010, 2019, 2021 and 2026. In 2022, there was light at the end of Sam Ryder’s “Space Man” tunnel, reaching second place, but the UK was eventually overtaken by Ukraine, with “Stefania” by the Kalush Orchestra. 

The country has even tried its luck in Eurovision by bringing names internationally known as Olly Alexander, Bonnie Tyler, Blue. However, these artists did not exceed 18th, 19th and 11th position, respectively. 

Remember, in the video below, all benefits from the United Kingdom in Eurovision:

The United Kingdom is one of the five “Big5” members, the group of countries that contribute most financially to Eurovision’s production, like Germany, Italy, Spain and France. These countries are directly ranked for the final. 

The next edition of Eurovision takes place in Burgas, Bulgaria, after Dara’s victory with “Bangaranga”, on May 11, 13 and 15, 2027.