UK’s HITS & MISSES
Grab your Union flag and get ready for the Eurovision Song Contest to land in Liverpool. Here we take a look at the nation’s highs and lows from the past 66 years
EUROVISION
Sam Ryder 2022
TikTok star Sam proved there was still hope for the UK when he took to the stage last year with his catchy tune Space Man. After years of rubbish results, he triumphed with the professional juries before coming second to Ukraine in the viewers’ votes. Sam has since had a number-one album and he performed at the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Daz Sampson 2006
Stockport’s answer to Snoop Dogg failed to make his mark in the competition with his questionable secondary school-themed rap Teenage Life. Despite finishing down in 19th place, Daz Sampson was determined to have another crack at the contest, and has since tried (unsuccessfully) to be chosen again to represent the UK and Belarus.
Scooch 2007
The airline-themed entry suffered serious turbulence when it jetted off to represent us in Helsinki. Flying The Flag’s risqué lyrics (something to suck on for landing, sir?) and cheesy bubblegum-pop routine ensured a crash landing. One newspaper even branded the entry ‘the laughing stock of Europe’.
James Newman 2021
James’ hopes of Eurovision glory were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic after the 2020 competition was cancelled. Returning a year later, in a jacket with lots of zips, only for his banging tune Embers to bag us our fourth, dismal ‘nul points’. But thankfully our faith in the competition was restored when the other nations in the green room applauded the talented Yorkshire lad.
Sandie Shaw 1967
Sandie Shaw raced barefoot to the finish line to win with Puppet on a String, despite hating the now-iconic song. She feared the tune (which went on to become her biggest ever hit) would ruin her cool image. After her win, she found herself locked out of her hotel room and slept in the corridor in her fur coat.
Bucks Fizz
