Monday 28 May 2012

Eurovision and the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest (sung by Engelbert Humperdinck) came second last in last night's contest.

The UK's entry came last in 2003 (with no points), in 2008 and 2010.

They have tried sending a variety of acts in recent years: comedy in 2007 (Scooch), a boy band in 2011 (Blue) and a 76 year old this year (Humperdinck).

But to no avail.

Their recent results have been:
2007: 2nd last
2008: last
2009: 5th
2010: last
2011: 14th
2012: 2nd last

Now I know that the Eurovision is silly. It's just a bit of fun. And recently it has become even more ridiculous because of block voting.

But people in the UK must be wondering what this pattern means: why other countries are just not voting for them.

I don't know what it means, or if it means anything.

But I do think it's sad to see them performing less well than you would expect year after year.

And I feel bad for Graham Norton who has done the BBC commentary since 2009. Despite his obvious enthusiasm for the contest, he hasn't had much to cheer about from either the UK or Ireland since he took the reins.