18 June – Everyone is waiting in a queue

Dutch? You want Dutch? Of course you do. They’ve got lots to choose from, and four five winners. So it’s nice to dip into the Dutch pool of birthday talent from time to time.

Today we go back to 1977, when the world was a simpler place, and everyone knew where they were likely to finish even before a jury had cast their votes. I jest – lots of countries were still in with chances of winning. Today’s birthday girl Heddy Lester (née Affolter) was a vision in pink – lots and lots of pink – when we saw her in London. Hers was a middle third finisher, aided by a generous helping of points from plucky little Belgium. But say what you like about the Dutch language, it’ll be fun to grapple with it next May.

Heddy is 69 today.

Gefeliciteerd, Heddy!