Many folks in the UK have the similar angle to Eurovision – we by no means win . But, in actual fact, the United Kingdom has gained the Eurovision Song Contest a complete of 5 occasions.
Our efficiency in recent times hasn’t fairly been up to par, with the most up-to-date win coming 25 years in the past, with Katrina and the Waves’ observe Love Shine a Light . This yr, it may come full circle 25 years later, as Sam Ryder vows for the trophy along with his entry Space Man .
We’ve been following Sam’s journey each step of the method, and with the UK at present in second place with the bookies, there isn’t any higher time to make a journey down reminiscence lane and reminisce on our former Eurovision glory.
READ MORE:Eurovision Song Contest 2022: Sam Ryder’s journey from Essex Chronicle paperboy to Eurovision favorite
1967: Sandie Shaw – Puppet on a String
The UK’s very first Eurovision win got here in 1967, the tenth version of the contest. The UK had beforehand been runner-up in 5 years, nevertheless it was Sandie Shaw that lastly introduced the contest residence.
The observe ended up being an enormous hit in its personal proper, topping the charts in ten international locations together with the United Kingdom. Sandie’s win lead to the 1968 contest being held at the Royal Albert Hall, the place Cliff Richard carried out Congratulations – which ended up being the UK’s sixth runner-up.
1969: Lulu – Boom Bang-a-Bang
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Just two years after Sandie bagged the win, Lulu introduced victory to the UK with Boom Bang-a-Bang when she carried out it in Madrid. The music went on to attain quantity two in the UK charts and continued to propel Lulu’s profession, after she launched Shout 5 years prior.
However, due to a tie in the voting, a complete of 4 songs bagged the prime spot, with France, The Netherlands and Spain all wowing Europe. The 1970 contest was finally hosted in Amsterdam, the place the UK, as soon as once more, completed in second place.
1976: Brotherhood of Man – Save Your Kisses for Me
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Fast-forward seven years later, with three extra runner-up finishes and a second entry from Cliff Richard, the UK’s subsequent Eurovision win got here from pop group Brotherhood of Man. The catchy observe grew to become an enormous hit in the UK, and remains to be, to date, one among the best-selling singles ever in the UK.
The win lead to the 1977 contest being hosted at Wembley – the place the UK completed in second place once more. With a complete of 15, the UK holds the file for the most entries which completed in second place.
1981: Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up
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Yes, the iconic Bucks Fizz, who modified Eurovision ceaselessly with that iconic skirt reveal. The music went on to prime the UK charts, in addition to seven different international locations throughout Europe.
The music has gone on to be remembered by many throughout Europe as one among the most memorable moments in Eurovision historical past.
Bucks Fizz had been catapulted to fame and went on to rating two extra primary singles in the UK. The 1982 contest was then held in Harrogate at the Harrogate International Centre.
1997: Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine a Light
(Image: Rebecca Naden/PA Wire)
After a comparatively dry spell of wins for the UK, it took 16 years for the UK to prime the Eurovision scoreboard as soon as extra, and remains to be the most up-to-date win to date. Yes, everyone knows Gina G ought to’ve gained the yr prior with Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit however that is in addition to the level.
It bagged 227 factors – nonetheless the highest factors scored by the UK in historical past. Lead singer Katrina Leskanich acknowledged it was the second landmark of the week in the UK – with Gordon Brown profitable the basic election simply two days earlier.
Will Sam Ryder replicate the UK’s Eurovision successes or will he end with nil factors? Let us know under.