14 January – All of us, we’re going to sing

It’s always interesting how countries select their songs for our favourite TV show. Public selections take different forms, some better than others.

Take Spain for example. They’ve tried various ways, from selecting internally, to single shows, to talent shows over many, many weeks. They’ve now reverted back to one they tried in the early part of this century, which was Operación Triunfo. First held in 2002, today’s birthday girl Rosa (María López Cortés) won the first edition. But she was such good friends with the two young men she beat – Davids Bisbal and Bustamente – she took them with her to Tallinn, so they could bask in her reflected glory of finishing seventh. Only once since has Spain been in the top 10.

Rosa is 38 today.

Feliz cumpleaños, Rosa!