Once when I went to Germany, and was going to Rudesheim, I somehow got mixed up and at Frankfurt Airport got on the bus to Rammstein because, I guess, I remembered the band name and not where I was going.
As it was on a Sunday, Germany was closed which made it even more difficult, stations were unmanned, I did eventually get to a manned station at Kaiserslautern (I only went there because I knew they had a decent football team and therefore it was likely to be a fairly large place and find some help - fortunately I didn't end up in Hoffenheim).
It was a decent adventure even if I did end up getting to Rudesheim about 8 hours late.
So we got more votes from San Marino than Ireland, Malta and Australia
You should consider that a briefing on how well the "European Renegotiations" will go.
Considering that our entry was "Ed Miliband bad" (copyright SouthamObserver) its an observation on how glad we should be we didn't send Ed "Hell yes I'm tough enough" to negotiate with Putin.
Sweden's light show was very good - I don't think it was a standout tune myself - but hey
It's fairly rare that a Euphoria wins, usually it's a Hard Rock Hallelujah or a Fairytale that wins, The presentation is worth at least half the show. I suspect Russia did so well because of the way their act played to the anti-Russian feeling and her reaction to winning over the audience as much as the song itself.
Even proper "winning songs" like Only Teardrops tend to have a gimmick that gets them over the edge. Eurovision is about nothing if not the gimmick.
I didn't watch eurovision or listen to any of its songs because I know it's all crap, but I supported Australia as the only non-european country in order to prove that even europeans don't vote for themselves in a european music contest.
It's a pity that Antarctica didn't enter the contest, even penguins sing better and I fully support holding the eurovision song contest as far away as possible.
So we got more votes from San Marino than Ireland, Malta and Australia
You should consider that a briefing on how well the "European Renegotiations" will go.
Considering that our entry was "Ed Miliband bad" (copyright SouthamObserver) its an observation on how glad we should be we didn't send Ed "Hell yes I'm tough enough" to negotiate with Putin.
I think tonight the UK did much better than Ed Miliband did, certainly better than Nick Clegg. The problem is that even when the UK has a decent entry, it gets no votes because it has no block. It should have Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. Not a single one off them back the UK.
That is all you need to know about Cameron's prospects. He will be laughed at.
The fact we again got so few points is reflective of our unpopularity in Europe as we are seen as the annoying sidekick to the American bully.
That'll be why Russia did so well then.
Britain got few votes because the routine was wrong and the song forgettable. It might have worked better for Strictly Come Dancing.
I don't know who decides the choice these days but they seem stuck in a mentality where it's forever 1982 and the keys to Eurovision success are cheese mixed with knowing irony. Actually, that was always wrong. Outright straight-up cheese had a chance but effectively conniving in denigrating the event was never a route to victory.
But times have moved on. Novelty is still a strong card to play but it has to be a novelty in its own right rather than a manufactured one. More, while novelty can be a hook, without a strong song and strong visuals, it's not enough. For all the rest of it, the routine remains central.
The sad thing is that Britain has some of the best film and theatrical directors, some of the best pixel artists, and one of the most successful music industries in the world. It ought to be possible to put them together and come up with something brilliant but fun. Unfortunately, it appears that we also have piss-poor commissioners.
Have to disagree, we simple haven't put up a decent entry for Eurovision contest in years. I knew that we were going to do badly tonight because I still hadn't even heard of our entry on the eve of the contest, if it had been any good it would have got some real publicity and airplay in the UK. We won't win a Eurovision contest again until we can select a song and artists that can stand on their own and do well commercially. Unfortunately, it would seem a lot of our home grown talent, both song writers and artists regard Eurovision as toxic to their careers.
David, you hit the nail squarely on the head with that post. I asked tonight on twitter who decides our Eurovision entry, was told it selected by a BBC committee... which again backs up the main points you highlighted on where we are going wrong.
The fact we again got so few points is reflective of our unpopularity in Europe as we are seen as the annoying sidekick to the American bully.
That'll be why Russia did so well then.
Britain got few votes because the routine was wrong and the song forgettable. It might have worked better for Strictly Come Dancing.
I don't know who decides the choice these days but they seem stuck in a mentality where it's forever 1982 and the keys to Eurovision success are cheese mixed with knowing irony. Actually, that was always wrong. Outright straight-up cheese had a chance but effectively conniving in denigrating the event was never a route to victory.
But times have moved on. Novelty is still a strong card to play but it has to be a novelty in its own right rather than a manufactured one. More, while novelty can be a hook, without a strong song and strong visuals, it's not enough. For all the rest of it, the routine remains central.
The sad thing is that Britain has some of the best film and theatrical directors, some of the best pixel artists, and one of the most successful music industries in the world. It ought to be possible to put them together and come up with something brilliant but fun. Unfortunately, it appears that we also have piss-poor commissioners.
We share a National Anthem with San Marino, God Bless the Grand Duchy
No we don't. Assuming "we" means the UK, we share the tune of our national anthem with Liechtenstein. We used to share it with Austria, Prussia, Russia and loads of other places, but only in the 19th century.
Have to disagree, we simple haven't put up a decent entry for Eurovision contest in years. I knew that we were going to do badly tonight because I still hadn't even heard of our entry on the eve of the contest, if it had been any good it would have got some real publicity and airplay in the UK. We won't win a Eurovision contest again until we can select a song and artists that can stand on their own and do well commercially. Unfortunately, it would seem a lot of our home grown talent, both song writers and artists regard Eurovision as toxic to their careers.
The sad thing is that Britain has some of the best film and theatrical directors, some of the best pixel artists, and one of the most successful music industries in the world. It ought to be possible to put them together and come up with something brilliant but fun. Unfortunately, it appears that we also have piss-poor commissioners.
There are three factors that decide Eurovision.
1. The Song. A good song wins, it might not always win but generally a good song will triumph.
2. The Gimmick. A gimmick will never win Eurovision but it can take a good song and make it palatable or successful. For example Hard Rock Hallelujah was a hard rock song but the Gimmick make it palatable to the non-rock audience.
3. The Block. This is the problem for the UK. It has no block. Countries hate the UK and countries that should back the UK don't. Let's expand.
The UK lacks the Nordic Circle block because it has, quite often, invaded the Nordic countries for no reason. Invading Iceland in WW2 has to be one of the most shameful episodes in the UK's history. But invade it we did.
Ireland despises England and as a result the UK. It is our only land border and one would expect it has lots of British national residents. But even those people tend to really hate the UK too due to the old problems with NI. Yet the UK keeps voting for Ireland.
To the South and East we have The Netherlands - who to be fair we actually get on well with and they do vote for us (and we don't vote back and actually refuse to engage in the way we should with The Netherlands), then there are the French speaking countries which we not only make fun of but significant proportions of the English population actively hate.
The UK could construct a block if it had the CI, IoM and Gibraltar enter. it really should.
Meanwhile, Russia has a Block of nearly 20 countries who will give it high points regardless of the song. The Nordics have a Block of 6 countries which will always give top marks to good songs. Look back at the history, how often has a Nordic or an ex-soviet won in the past 20 years. Pretty much every time.
SInce 1999 Eurovision has only been won three times by non Nordic or Soviet block countries.
Have to disagree, we simple haven't put up a decent entry for Eurovision contest in years. I knew that we were going to do badly tonight because I still hadn't even heard of our entry on the eve of the contest, if it had been any good it would have got some real publicity and airplay in the UK. We won't win a Eurovision contest again until we can select a song and artists that can stand on their own and do well commercially. Unfortunately, it would seem a lot of our home grown talent, both song writers and artists regard Eurovision as toxic to their careers.
Have to disagree, we simple haven't put up a decent entry for Eurovision contest in years. I knew that we were going to do badly tonight because I still hadn't even heard of our entry on the eve of the contest, if it had been any good it would have got some real publicity and airplay in the UK. We won't win a Eurovision contest again until we can select a song and artists that can stand on their own and do well commercially. Unfortunately, it would seem a lot of our home grown talent, both song writers and artists regard Eurovision as toxic to their careers.
The fact we again got so few points is reflective of our unpopularit Europe as we are seen as the annoying sidekick to the American bully.
Exactly - our glory days were when we sent big stars and took the thing reasonably seriously - we get no more than we deserve today.....
ITV are not members of the EBU. The BBC are. And that is not something open to change.
Out of interest, Electro Velvet's song was dire, their performance was dire and I did not believe for one second that any of it was actually sung. It was lip synced and deserved its result.
Have to disagree, we simple haven't put up a decent entry for Eurovision contest in years. I knew that we were going to do badly tonight because I still hadn't even heard of our entry on the eve of the contest, if it had been any good it would have got some real publicity and airplay in the UK. We won't win a Eurovision contest again until we can select a song and artists that can stand on their own and do well commercially. Unfortunately, it would seem a lot of our home grown talent, both song writers and artists regard Eurovision as toxic to their careers.
May I just say that as a resident of Stockholm I truly hate Eurovision. Two of my neighbours are still holding parties to celebrate and are keeping me awake. This bloody country wins far too often and they celebrate it as though they've won the world cup.
I believe Slayer - Reign in blood at maximum volume is about to be unleashed.
A betting point is that it's nearly always a good idea to lay Britain in these things - people have a Betfair punt in a triumph of hope over experience.
And yes, like David H and fitalass I think we should make an effort, instead of treating it with a faint sneer and then being disappointed when we do badly. Obviously it's not grand opera, but it's a fun, friendly show.
Have to disagree, we simple haven't put up a decent entry for Eurovision contest in years. I knew that we were going to do badly tonight because I still hadn't even heard of our entry on the eve of the contest, if it had been any good it would have got some real publicity and airplay in the UK. We won't win a Eurovision contest again until we can select a song and artists that can stand on their own and do well commercially. Unfortunately, it would seem a lot of our home grown talent, both song writers and artists regard Eurovision as toxic to their careers.
The fact we again got so few points is reflective of our unpopularity in Europe as we are seen as the annoying sidekick to the American bully.
So is it the case that the archetypal winning Eurovision song is ABBA and Waterloo - catchy tune, great chorus, up beat, good harmonies etc?
I remember when Cliff Richard was selected there was a TV show (and an EP) called A Song For Europe. He sang six songs and viewers voted for the winner, which turned out to be Congratulations.
It has long been my impression that this song contest is merely a plaything for government owned broadcasters. Is this an appropriate use of taxpayers money? Does it bring ever closer union?
I watched the UK entry on youtube. It is truly lame and awful
I have to admit that the first time I ever watched the Eurovision contest was back in the 70's, we were living in Malta and I was allowed to stay up specially to watch it. I started out rooting for the UK entry, but ended up hoping the Swedish entry would win and they did! Still stand by that switch of allegiance, and I am still a huge fan of Abba forty years later.
May I just say that as a resident of Stockholm I truly hate Eurovision. Two of my neighbours are still holding parties to celebrate and are keeping me awake. This bloody country wins far too often and they celebrate it as though they've won the world cup.
I believe Slayer - Reign in blood at maximum volume is about to be unleashed.
I have to admit that the first time I ever watched Eurovision contest back in the 70's, I started out rooting for the UK entry, but ended up hoping the Swedish entry would win and they did! Still stand by that switch of allegiance, and I am still a huge fan of Abba forty years later.
May I just say that as a resident of Stockholm I truly hate Eurovision. Two of my neighbours are still holding parties to celebrate and are keeping me awake. This bloody country wins far too often and they celebrate it as though they've won the world cup.
I believe Slayer - Reign in blood at maximum volume is about to be unleashed.
Ironically, ABBA won in Brighton, a city in England.
Unfortunately they broke up 30 years ago, after making some great music.
Have to disagree, we simple haven't put up a decent entry for Eurovision contest in years. I knew that we were going to do badly tonight because I still hadn't even heard of our entry on the eve of the contest, if it had been any good it would have got some real publicity and airplay in the UK. We won't win a Eurovision contest again until we can select a song and artists that can stand on their own and do well commercially. Unfortunately, it would seem a lot of our home grown talent, both song writers and artists regard Eurovision as toxic to their careers.
I have to admit that the first time I ever watched Eurovision contest back in the 70's, I started out rooting for the UK entry, but ended up hoping the Swedish entry would win and they did! Still stand by that switch of allegiance, and I am still a huge fan of Abba forty years later.
May I just say that as a resident of Stockholm I truly hate Eurovision. Two of my neighbours are still holding parties to celebrate and are keeping me awake. This bloody country wins far too often and they celebrate it as though they've won the world cup.
I believe Slayer - Reign in blood at maximum volume is about to be unleashed.
They have an Abba museum here now. Incredible how many tourists from all over the world travel here to visit it. I go past it quite often and it is always heaving with people.
I have to admit that the first time I ever watched Eurovision contest back in the 70's, I started out rooting for the UK entry, but ended up hoping the Swedish entry would win and they did! Still stand by that switch of allegiance, and I am still a huge fan of Abba forty years later.
May I just say that as a resident of Stockholm I truly hate Eurovision. Two of my neighbours are still holding parties to celebrate and are keeping me awake. This bloody country wins far too often and they celebrate it as though they've won the world cup.
I believe Slayer - Reign in blood at maximum volume is about to be unleashed.
They have an Abba museum here now. Incredible how many tourists from all over the world travel here to visit it. I go past it quite often and it is always heaving with people.
Do they still have that phone, where certain ABBA members promise to call from time to time?
I've not been there but seen a documentary about it.
Have to disagree, we simple haven't put up a decent entry for Eurovision contest in years. I knew that we were going to do badly tonight because I still hadn't even heard of our entry on the eve of the contest, if it had been any good it would have got some real publicity and airplay in the UK. We won't win a Eurovision contest again until we can select a song and artists that can stand on their own and do well commercially. Unfortunately, it would seem a lot of our home grown talent, both song writers and artists regard Eurovision as toxic to their careers.
I have to admit that the first time I ever watched Eurovision contest back in the 70's, I started out rooting for the UK entry, but ended up hoping the Swedish entry would win and they did! Still stand by that switch of allegiance, and I am still a huge fan of Abba forty years later.
May I just say that as a resident of Stockholm I truly hate Eurovision. Two of my neighbours are still holding parties to celebrate and are keeping me awake. This bloody country wins far too often and they celebrate it as though they've won the world cup.
I believe Slayer - Reign in blood at maximum volume is about to be unleashed.
They have an Abba museum here now. Incredible how many tourists from all over the world travel here to visit it. I go past it quite often and it is always heaving with people.
Do they still have that phone, where certain ABBA members promise to call from time to time?
I've not been there but seen a documentary about it.
I have no idea. I wouldn't be seen dead in the place. Inside a Swedish heavy metal museum maybe....
But that music has lasted the test of time, and it is still hugely commercially successful even now. IIRC, I think the last time the UK failed to win a Eurovision contest with a song that turned out to be very commercially successful was Gina G with 'Just a little bit', even now that song is better than anything that turned up on our screens tonight in Eurovision. It was a classic catchy pop tune, and that is what is now what is so lacking from Eurovision final every year nowadays. How often do you see the winner ever become a really big commercial hit these days?
I have to admit that the first time I ever watched Eurovision contest back in the 70's, I started out rooting for the UK entry, but ended up hoping the Swedish entry would win and they did! Still stand by that switch of allegiance, and I am still a huge fan of Abba forty years later.
May I just say that as a resident of Stockholm I truly hate Eurovision. Two of my neighbours are still holding parties to celebrate and are keeping me awake. This bloody country wins far too often and they celebrate it as though they've won the world cup.
I believe Slayer - Reign in blood at maximum volume is about to be unleashed.
Ironically, ABBA won in Brighton, a city in England.
Unfortunately they broke up 30 years ago, after making some great music.
But that music has lasted the test of time, and it is still hugely commercially successful even now. IIRC, I think the last time the UK failed to win a Eurovision contest with a song that turned out to be very commercially successful was Gina G with 'Just a little bit', even now that song is better than anything that turned up on our screens tonight in Eurovision. It was a classic catchy pop tune, and that is what is now what is so lacking from Eurovision final every year nowadays. How often do you see the winner ever become a really big commercial hit these days?
I have to admit that the first time I ever watched Eurovision contest back in the 70's, I started out rooting for the UK entry, but ended up hoping the Swedish entry would win and they did! Still stand by that switch of allegiance, and I am still a huge fan of Abba forty years later.
May I just say that as a resident of Stockholm I truly hate Eurovision. Two of my neighbours are still holding parties to celebrate and are keeping me awake. This bloody country wins far too often and they celebrate it as though they've won the world cup.
I believe Slayer - Reign in blood at maximum volume is about to be unleashed.
Ironically, ABBA won in Brighton, a city in England.
Unfortunately they broke up 30 years ago, after making some great music.
But that music has lasted the test of time, and it is still hugely commercially successful even now. IIRC, I think the last time the UK failed to win a Eurovision contest with a song that turned out to be very commercially successful was Gina G with 'Just a little bit', even now that song is better than anything that turned up on our screens tonight in Eurovision. It was a classic catchy pop tune, and that is what is now what is so lacking from Eurovision final every year nowadays. How often do you see the winner ever become a really big commercial hit these days?
I have to admit that the first time I ever watched Eurovision contest back in the 70's, I started out rooting for the UK entry, but ended up hoping the Swedish entry would win and they did! Still stand by that switch of allegiance, and I am still a huge fan of Abba forty years later.
May I just say that as a resident of Stockholm I truly hate Eurovision. Two of my neighbours are still holding parties to celebrate and are keeping me awake. This bloody country wins far too often and they celebrate it as though they've won the world cup.
I believe Slayer - Reign in blood at maximum volume is about to be unleashed.
Ironically, ABBA won in Brighton, a city in England.
Unfortunately they broke up 30 years ago, after making some great music.
Established artists don't need it, and newcomers are only too willing to submit to gadgets, , transvestism, bad songs etc as presumably any publicity is better than none, although in Eurovision I have my doubts about that. Maybe the UK could get Bruce Jenner to do it.
From what I remember there are no commercial breaks in the song contest, which only emphasizes it's all non-commercial broadcasters. ITV etc couldn't make money on this so wouldn't touch it.
The BBC long ago lost its way on this one, as with so much else. The emphasis now seems to be on pushing boundaries rather than singing good songs.
Just seen the UK's entry - it's dire - like something out of a bad 1930s musical - Australia and Sweden clearly much better......
The drop in the quality of music over the years is huge. Eurovision winners would typically go straight to the top of the charts, and would help the artist. That seems no longer to happen. Sandie Shaw stood there in her bare feet and sang Puppet on a String. Hard to find a simpler more catchy song.
Just seen the UK's entry - it's dire - like something out of a bad 1930s musical - Australia and Sweden clearly much better......
The drop in the quality of music over the years is huge. Eurovision winners would typically go straight to the top of the charts, and would help the artist. That seems no longer to happen. Sandie Shaw stood there in her bare feet and sang Puppet on a String. Hard to find a simpler more catchy song.
She hated it - but it did very well:
"Puppet on a String" became her third Number One hit in the UK (a record for a female at the time) and was a big worldwide smash (the biggest selling single of the year in Germany). Shaw also recorded "Puppet on a String" in French ("Un tout petit pantin"), Italian ("La danza delle note"), Spanish ("Marionetas en la cuerda"), and German ("Wiedehopf im Mai")
I remember stopping at a layby Cafe en route from Aberdeen to home, where the staff had religiously chalked 'Sandy Shaw sat in this Chair on X/XX/XX'......it was a huge hit.....
Just seen the UK's entry - it's dire - like something out of a bad 1930s musical - Australia and Sweden clearly much better......
The drop in the quality of music over the years is huge. Eurovision winners would typically go straight to the top of the charts, and would help the artist. That seems no longer to happen. Sandie Shaw stood there in her bare feet and sang Puppet on a String. Hard to find a simpler more catchy song.
She hated it - but it did very well:
"Puppet on a String" became her third Number One hit in the UK (a record for a female at the time) and was a big worldwide smash (the biggest selling single of the year in Germany). Shaw also recorded "Puppet on a String" in French ("Un tout petit pantin"), Italian ("La danza delle note"), Spanish ("Marionetas en la cuerda"), and German ("Wiedehopf im Mai")
I remember stopping at a layby Cafe en route from Aberdeen to home, where the staff had religiously chalked 'Sandy Shaw sat in this Chair on X/XX/XX'......it was a huge hit.....
I doubt any of this evening's offerings will be so lucky - particularly en route from Aberdeen
Just seen the UK's entry - it's dire - like something out of a bad 1930s musical - Australia and Sweden clearly much better......
The drop in the quality of music over the years is huge. Eurovision winners would typically go straight to the top of the charts, and would help the artist. That seems no longer to happen. Sandie Shaw stood there in her bare feet and sang Puppet on a String. Hard to find a simpler more catchy song.
Comments
As it was on a Sunday, Germany was closed which made it even more difficult, stations were unmanned, I did eventually get to a manned station at Kaiserslautern (I only went there because I knew they had a decent football team and therefore it was likely to be a fairly large place and find some help - fortunately I didn't end up in Hoffenheim).
It was a decent adventure even if I did end up getting to Rudesheim about 8 hours late.
My favourite German entry 1982
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQoxqI6n9p8
and the voting EDIT CHRIST 42000 people have watched this!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83v5zPcXTWA
Even proper "winning songs" like Only Teardrops tend to have a gimmick that gets them over the edge. Eurovision is about nothing if not the gimmick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k59E7T0H-Us
Fantastic song and performance.
It's a pity that Antarctica didn't enter the contest, even penguins sing better and I fully support holding the eurovision song contest as far away as possible.
That is all you need to know about Cameron's prospects. He will be laughed at.
Pathetic individual.
Have a quiet few days in your dacha to get over it all.
Britain got few votes because the routine was wrong and the song forgettable. It might have worked better for Strictly Come Dancing.
I don't know who decides the choice these days but they seem stuck in a mentality where it's forever 1982 and the keys to Eurovision success are cheese mixed with knowing irony. Actually, that was always wrong. Outright straight-up cheese had a chance but effectively conniving in denigrating the event was never a route to victory.
But times have moved on. Novelty is still a strong card to play but it has to be a novelty in its own right rather than a manufactured one. More, while novelty can be a hook, without a strong song and strong visuals, it's not enough. For all the rest of it, the routine remains central.
The sad thing is that Britain has some of the best film and theatrical directors, some of the best pixel artists, and one of the most successful music industries in the world. It ought to be possible to put them together and come up with something brilliant but fun. Unfortunately, it appears that we also have piss-poor commissioners.
1. The Song. A good song wins, it might not always win but generally a good song will triumph.
2. The Gimmick. A gimmick will never win Eurovision but it can take a good song and make it palatable or successful. For example Hard Rock Hallelujah was a hard rock song but the Gimmick make it palatable to the non-rock audience.
3. The Block. This is the problem for the UK. It has no block. Countries hate the UK and countries that should back the UK don't. Let's expand.
The UK lacks the Nordic Circle block because it has, quite often, invaded the Nordic countries for no reason. Invading Iceland in WW2 has to be one of the most shameful episodes in the UK's history. But invade it we did.
Ireland despises England and as a result the UK. It is our only land border and one would expect it has lots of British national residents. But even those people tend to really hate the UK too due to the old problems with NI. Yet the UK keeps voting for Ireland.
To the South and East we have The Netherlands - who to be fair we actually get on well with and they do vote for us (and we don't vote back and actually refuse to engage in the way we should with The Netherlands), then there are the French speaking countries which we not only make fun of but significant proportions of the English population actively hate.
The UK could construct a block if it had the CI, IoM and Gibraltar enter. it really should.
Meanwhile, Russia has a Block of nearly 20 countries who will give it high points regardless of the song. The Nordics have a Block of 6 countries which will always give top marks to good songs. Look back at the history, how often has a Nordic or an ex-soviet won in the past 20 years. Pretty much every time.
SInce 1999 Eurovision has only been won three times by non Nordic or Soviet block countries.
Twitter
Coffee House @Spectator_CH now2 minutes ago
It’s time to let ITV choose Britain’s Eurovision entry http://bit.ly/1FLLEuG by @frasernelson
Out of interest, Electro Velvet's song was dire, their performance was dire and I did not believe for one second that any of it was actually sung. It was lip synced and deserved its result.
I believe Slayer - Reign in blood at maximum volume is about to be unleashed.
And yes, like David H and fitalass I think we should make an effort, instead of treating it with a faint sneer and then being disappointed when we do badly. Obviously it's not grand opera, but it's a fun, friendly show.
I remember when Cliff Richard was selected there was a TV show (and an EP) called A Song For Europe. He sang six songs and viewers voted for the winner, which turned out to be Congratulations.
It has long been my impression that this song contest is merely a plaything for government owned broadcasters. Is this an appropriate use of taxpayers money? Does it bring ever closer union?
I watched the UK entry on youtube. It is truly lame and awful
Unfortunately they broke up 30 years ago, after making some great music.
In fact, ITV have entered the junior version of Eurovision a few times (2003, 2004, 2005).
I've not been there but seen a documentary about it.
http://www3.ebu.ch/about/members?country=united-kingdom
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Eurovision_Song_Contest_winners
From what I remember there are no commercial breaks in the song contest, which only emphasizes it's all non-commercial broadcasters. ITV etc couldn't make money on this so wouldn't touch it.
The BBC long ago lost its way on this one, as with so much else. The emphasis now seems to be on pushing boundaries rather than singing good songs.
Support for same-sex marriage has leapt sharply since changes to the law allowing gay and lesbian couples to wed in mainland Britain, research shows.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11626678/Surge-in-support-for-gay-marriage.html
"Puppet on a String" became her third Number One hit in the UK (a record for a female at the time) and was a big worldwide smash (the biggest selling single of the year in Germany). Shaw also recorded "Puppet on a String" in French ("Un tout petit pantin"), Italian ("La danza delle note"), Spanish ("Marionetas en la cuerda"), and German ("Wiedehopf im Mai")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puppet_on_a_String
I remember stopping at a layby Cafe en route from Aberdeen to home, where the staff had religiously chalked 'Sandy Shaw sat in this Chair on X/XX/XX'......it was a huge hit.....