On My Mind

Yes, that annual reminder of a seemingly Europe-wide disdain and lack of fellowship between us and our European brethren will have many of us glued to our TV screens on Saturday night while many of us will attend Eurovision parties!

I am always left perplexed by how badly we fare given we are the music capital of the world but it hasn't always been this way.

Up to and including 1998, the UK had only twice finished outside the top 10, in 1978 (11th) and 1987 (13th), with their five winners being Sandie Shaw with the song "Puppet on a String" in 1967, Lulu with "Boom Bang-a-Bang" in 1969 (tied), Brotherhood of Man with "Save Your Kisses for Me" in 1976, Bucks Fizz with " Making Your Mind Up" in 1981 and Katrina and the Waves with "Love, Shine a Light" in 1997.

Also, the UK has finished as runner-up on a record 15 occasions; including Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson (1959), Matt Monro (1964), Kathy Kirby (1965), Cliff Richard (1968), Mary Hopkin (1970), The New Seekers (1972), Scott Fitzgerald (1988), Michael Ball (1992), Sonia (1993) and Imaani (1998).

It all seemed to change around 1999, the year in which the rule was abandoned that songs must be performed in one of the official languages of the country participating. Since then the UK has only finished within the top ten twice.

I recently chatted to one of our greatest ever Eurovision winners Cheryl Baker from Bucks Fizz and asked her why she thought we do so badly. She was quite clear on what was needed - " a gimmick".

Incredibly it was 35 years ago that Cheryl ripped her skirt off in front of a worldwide TV audience of millions and the rest- as they say, is history!

It was a stand-out moment in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest. The year was 1981, the song was 'Making Your Mind Up', and that piece of wardrobe wizardry is what helped Bucks Fizz bring the winners’ medal home to the UK she says.

Of course it was a catchy song and the band’s line up was classic Eurovision – two boys, two girls, dance routines, harmonies and extravagant outfits.

While our recent Eurovision entries have suffered the humiliation of receiving little if 'nil' points, Bucks Fizz went on to become one of the biggest selling bands of the 80’s. 'Making Your Mind Up' became a number one hit across the world selling more than four million copies. The legendary skirt-ripping routine propelled them to overnight success charting at No. 1 in nine countries beyond the UK.

The band still tour today and will be at Let's Rock, Southampton on July 9.

Cheryl, 62, is well placed to comment on the contest's ups and downs. After all, prior to winning she entered the contest in 1978 with the group Cocoa and suffered a humiliating defeat.

" We came 11th and it was the worst the UK had ever done! Now though 11th sounds like a good result! " she laughed.

So what is the winning formulae?

Cheryl knows the answer: "You must have the best song, performance - and gimmick. You must have something that makes people remember you.

"Last year we had the ghostly figures and the year before we had the bearded lady! These are things that make you remember them as long as the performance is strong. The gimmick is as important as the performance and the visual effects. Our entry last year was a pleasant ditty but they just stood and sang."

But what about claims it is all political now with countries voting for their closest allies?

"Politics are mentioned a lot, " Cheryl mused, "We can't blame politics completely but perhaps we don't deserve to come last."

We even came last with chart-toppers Blue so who does she think would do well?

" One Direction! A young boy or girl band, maybe even Little Mix. I don't think it's degrading to do it but a lot of them wouldn't do it because they don't want to risk not doing well."

Well, we can tune in to The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest on BBC 1 on Saturday at 8pm when Graham Norton will once again be adding his wry commentary on proceedings.

This time our hopes are pinned on Joe and Jake who have been maligned in the press for their lack of charisma but I've heard they do have a gimmick up their sleeves.

But the nation is rooting for them. For the first time in six years, the UK entry was decided by public vote, and the people chose the duo made up of former The Voice contestants Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft, who will perform the song You’re Not Alone.

It is Eurovision-friendly, with a catchy chorus and plenty of harmonies so fingers crossed!

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