The United Kingdom debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957 and has a storied history with five victories and a record 16 second-place finishes. Its first win came in 1967 with Sandie Shaw’s Puppet on a String, followed by Lulu’s Boom Bang-a-Bang in 1969, which was part of a four-way tie. Later victories included Brotherhood of Man’s Save Your Kisses for Me (1976), Bucks Fizz’s Making Your Mind Up (1981), and Katrina and the Waves’ Love Shine a Light (1997).
Known for catchy pop songs and strong vocals, the UK was a Eurovision powerhouse for decades. However, the 2000s saw a decline, with frequent last-place finishes and accusations of political voting. The national selection process has varied, from internal choices to the You Decide format, often drawing criticism for lacklustre entries.
A (very short-lived) revival began in the 2020s, highlighted by Sam Ryder’s second-place finish in 2022 with Space Man. Then things returned to normal with a slew of 0 point televotes.
The UK’s entries (in theory) now focus on professional production, mainstream appeal, and engaging performances, aiming to restore its former Eurovision glory.
We’ll hold the BBC’s coat.
