A full 55 years ago, our favourite TV show made its first trip to the United Kingdom. They hadn’t won the previous year, but the Netherlands turned it down. Could you imagine a country turning it down in the 21st Century? But turn it down they did, and a nice pocket-sized contest of 13 nations gathered at the Royal Festival Hall. It was a pleasant affair, with some Catherine Boyle hosting the thing. The French registered their second (yes, second) win in five attempts. Where are they now? This winner was the winsome little Jacqueline Ducos-Boyer, whose stepmother (for a time) was Edith Piaf don’t you know. Jacqueline is 74 today.
Bonne anniversaire, Jacqueline!
