Latest news with #CherylBaker
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Brits music icon says she'd love to do Strictly but gets 'rejected every year by producers'
The singer, who rose to fame in the early 80s on the Eurovision Song Contest, revealed that BBC bosses have rejected her proposal to star on the show multiple times. UK Eurovision icon Cheryl Baker has revealed that she would love to participate in Strictly Come Dancing but she gets turned down by the producers every year. The 71-year-old singer, who was born Rita Maria Stroud, won the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the UK's pop group entry, Bucks Fizz, which she was a member of. However, it seems that the pop group's memorable win still isn't enough to get Cheryl Baker onto that Strictly Come Dancing ballroom floor. Cheryl still performs in the band alongside OG member Jay Aston and newcomers Nikk Mager and Matthew Pateman, but the group are now known as The Fizz instead. Speaking exclusively to Slingo, the singer revealed she's been repeatedly turned down for the BBC One reality series, despite regularly throwing her name into the ring. She also revealed that she had put herself forward for this year's Celebrity Traitors but was left 'gutted' to discover she was too late and the star studded cast had already been selected. While Cheryl has made her eagerness to dip her toes into reality TV pretty clear, also saying she'd 'love' a go on I'm A Celebrity, she has ruled out a return to Eurovision, despite insisting the group are now 'vocally stronger'. Formerly known as Bucks Fizz, the band were victorious in the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest Final with their song Making Your Mind Up. Their big win over 44 years ago comes as the second last time the UK have won the annual singing contest since. Britain have not been successful in Eurovision in the contest since 1997, when Katrina & The Waves came out on top with their song Love Shine A Light. During a conversation with Slingo, Cheryl was asked about her reality TV ambitions. She said: 'I'd love to do Strictly. I always put myself up for it every year, and they always say no, which is a great shame. I love dancing - I'm not a trained dancer, but I love dancing. "I would love to go do I'm A Celebrity - I would love that. I would also love to do Traitors. When I knew there was going to be a celebrity one, I contacted my agent and said, 'Get me on it!' "When she told me that they'd already cast it, I was gutted. I can't wait to see it, but I'd do any of them." Cheryl continued: "That's the way TV has gone. If you don't want to be on any of those shows, it really limits you to what you can do, because that's what's on TV now. "I miss Top of the Pops - I wish they'd bring it back. All the young artists now, they've got a televisual platform to show how good they are.' However, when questioned on a Eurovision return, she was not so keen. When asked if she'd ever go back on the contest, she said: " I mean, we've got our two new guys, they're great singers and if the cameras are far enough away… I'd hate for them to do camera close ups of Jay and I, and go, they're getting on a bit! "I feel vocally we're stronger now than we have been for years, because there's four of us and the boys are tremendous but I don't think we could do Eurovision again. 'We've carried on and had lots of gigs, working with Mike and Jay and now with Matthew [Pateman] and Nikk [Majer] as four. There are certain gigs that haven't employed us because we're not officially Bucks Fizz but we're really good!" Cheryl, 71, added: "We haven't done a Let's Rock for years, we used to do it as The Original Bucks Fizz, but because we're called The Fizz now, I'm guessing that's probably the reason we don't get to do it. "We do lots of other festivals and 80s weekends. It's great fun, I love it. They all chant and at the end we get them to sing 'A Land Of Make Believe' and they all sing it on their own, all the musicians cut out. I love it, what's not to love? It's such a boost to your ego!'
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'I put myself up for Strictly every year but never get chosen by producers'
'I put myself up for Strictly every year but never get chosen by producers' Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker has been wanting to join the cast of Strictly Come Dancing for years Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker has revealed that she signs up for Strictly Come Dancing every year, only to face rejection from the show's producers. Cheryl notably won the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1981 with her Bucks Fizz co-stars, Bobby G, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston. She now performs with bandmate Jay, alongside Nikk Mager and Matthew Pateman as The Fizz. Speaking exclusively to Slingo, Cheryl expressed her fondness for the renowned BBC dance programme, despite not yet getting the nod from its producers. "I'd love to do Strictly. I always put myself up for it every year, and they always say no, which is a great shame. I love dancing - I'm not a trained dancer, but I love dancing," she divulged. Cheryl Baker would like to take part in Strictly Come Dancing (Image: Getty Images ) Aside from Strictly, Cheryl is keen on exploring further opportunities within reality TV shows, including I'm a Celebrity or Celebrity Traitors, reports Edinburgh Live. "I would love to go do I'm a Celebrity - I would love that. I would also love to do Traitors," she declared. "When I knew there was going to be a celebrity one, I contacted my agent and said, 'Get me on it!' When she told me that they'd already cast it, I was gutted. I can't wait to see it, but I'd do any of them. "That's the way TV has gone. If you don't want to be on any of those shows, it really limits you to what you can do, because that's what's on TV now. "I miss Top of the Pops - I wish they'd bring it back. All the young artists now, they've got a televisual platform to show how good they are." Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981 (Image: Getty Images ) Country pop trio Remember Monday tried to emulate Bucks Fizz's success at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with their track, What the Hell Just Happened? After the jury vote placed them tenth, the UK group unfortunately scored zero points from the public vote, resulting in a 19th place finish – just one spot lower than Olly Alexander's position last year. On whether she'd return to Eurovision with The Fizz, Cheryl remarked: "I mean, we've got our two new guys, they're great singers and if the cameras are far enough away... I'd hate for them to do camera close ups of Jay and I, and go, 'They're getting on a bit!' "I feel vocally we're stronger now than we have been for years, because there's four of us and the boys are tremendous but I don't think we could do Eurovision again." Article continues below She added: "We do lots of other festivals and 80s weekends. It's great fun, I love it... It's such a boost to your ego!" Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
South Wales Argus
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Revealed: Best British Eurovision entries of all time ranked
Cliff Richard's first Eurovision entry in 1968, 'Congratulations', and Katrina and the Waves' 'Love Shine a Light', the last Eurovision win for the UK in 1997, make up the remainder of the top five, in a study of 2,000 adults. Others to feature in the top UK Eurovision songs include Lulu with 'Boom Bang-a-Bang' from 1969, and Sonia's 'Better the Devil You Know', which finished an agonising second place in 1993. Cheryl Baker, who won Eurovision as part of Bucks Fizz's hit in 1981, said: 'That's fantastic! It's amazing it was 44 years ago that we won. 'Katrina was a lot more recent, my favourite was Sandie Shaw with Puppet on a String, and I was so excited when I got to meet her. 'Brotherhood of Man were the biggest selling of the Eurovision entries – I think they sold six million records! But it's an absolute honour and a privilege that people think of our entry as the best of British. 'There's been so many great songs which have come from the UK over the years, and it makes me so proud that people think of Bucks Fizz when they think of Eurovision.' Speaking at the WhichBingo Awards, she also lifted the lid on how the UK's entry, Remember Monday, would perform – and which nation she thinks will win Eurovision this year. Cheryl said: 'Who knows – with Eurovision, I've never picked a winning song yet. I think the girls are fantastic, and the song is really good. 'I know the bookies are only giving it a one per cent chance – but you never know. 'I love what the girls wear, it's almost theatrical, and historical in a way – it could be something from Bridgerton. 'But they're up against Sweden and they put everything in – it's not just the song and the singing, it's all in the production. 'I think they could possibly nick it, which would make them the most successful Eurovision country ever, and they'd love to take that crown – but we'll give them a good run for their money. 'It all depends on if the song's good enough – When Sam did it, his song and performance were great, and had it not been for Russia invading Ukraine, we could have won that year.' 'I'd like to think Making Your Mind Up will still be popular in another 44 years – the bit they always show on the telly is when the skirts come off, as simple as that was – it made that performance and that moment is what stuck in people's memories.' The research found the most important elements to a Eurovision-winning entry includes a catchy, memorable chorus (38 per cent), a strong hook melody you can't forget (34 per cent) and an emotional or powerful vocal performance (24 per cent). Other vital ingredients include a charismatic performer you can root for (20 per cent) and a sense of fun and chaos (19 per cent). It also emerged the UK is a Eurovision-loving nation, as 38 per cent either watch it every year or most years. And there's confidence among fans that the UK could end its 28-year wait for a Eurovision win, with 15 per cent believing Remember Monday could win. Almost a third (32 per cent) want Ed Sheeran to compete for the UK at Eurovision – ahead of Adele (29 per cent) and Harry Styles (20 per cent). WhichBingo spokesperson, Charlie Shakespeare, added: 'We're backing Remember Monday to go all the way, but how cool would it be if Ed Sheeran stepped out for Britain one year? 'As our research shows, there's a few different factors which go into a knockout Eurovision performance. If they can stick close to them, there's no reason Britain can't go all the way.' 'It's been great hosting so many stars at our awards ceremony this week. There's been a real buzz about the place with everyone chatting and having so much fun together.' TOP 10 BRIT EUROVISION ENTRIES
North Wales Chronicle
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Revealed: Best British Eurovision entries of all time ranked
Cliff Richard's first Eurovision entry in 1968, 'Congratulations', and Katrina and the Waves' 'Love Shine a Light', the last Eurovision win for the UK in 1997, make up the remainder of the top five, in a study of 2,000 adults. Others to feature in the top UK Eurovision songs include Lulu with 'Boom Bang-a-Bang' from 1969, and Sonia's 'Better the Devil You Know', which finished an agonising second place in 1993. Cheryl Baker, who won Eurovision as part of Bucks Fizz's hit in 1981, said: 'That's fantastic! It's amazing it was 44 years ago that we won. 'Katrina was a lot more recent, my favourite was Sandie Shaw with Puppet on a String, and I was so excited when I got to meet her. 'Brotherhood of Man were the biggest selling of the Eurovision entries – I think they sold six million records! But it's an absolute honour and a privilege that people think of our entry as the best of British. 'There's been so many great songs which have come from the UK over the years, and it makes me so proud that people think of Bucks Fizz when they think of Eurovision.' Speaking at the WhichBingo Awards, she also lifted the lid on how the UK's entry, Remember Monday, would perform – and which nation she thinks will win Eurovision this year. Cheryl said: 'Who knows – with Eurovision, I've never picked a winning song yet. I think the girls are fantastic, and the song is really good. 'I know the bookies are only giving it a one per cent chance – but you never know. 'I love what the girls wear, it's almost theatrical, and historical in a way – it could be something from Bridgerton. 'But they're up against Sweden and they put everything in – it's not just the song and the singing, it's all in the production. 'I think they could possibly nick it, which would make them the most successful Eurovision country ever, and they'd love to take that crown – but we'll give them a good run for their money. 'It all depends on if the song's good enough – When Sam did it, his song and performance were great, and had it not been for Russia invading Ukraine, we could have won that year.' 'I'd like to think Making Your Mind Up will still be popular in another 44 years – the bit they always show on the telly is when the skirts come off, as simple as that was – it made that performance and that moment is what stuck in people's memories.' The research found the most important elements to a Eurovision-winning entry includes a catchy, memorable chorus (38 per cent), a strong hook melody you can't forget (34 per cent) and an emotional or powerful vocal performance (24 per cent). Other vital ingredients include a charismatic performer you can root for (20 per cent) and a sense of fun and chaos (19 per cent). It also emerged the UK is a Eurovision-loving nation, as 38 per cent either watch it every year or most years. And there's confidence among fans that the UK could end its 28-year wait for a Eurovision win, with 15 per cent believing Remember Monday could win. Almost a third (32 per cent) want Ed Sheeran to compete for the UK at Eurovision – ahead of Adele (29 per cent) and Harry Styles (20 per cent). WhichBingo spokesperson, Charlie Shakespeare, added: 'We're backing Remember Monday to go all the way, but how cool would it be if Ed Sheeran stepped out for Britain one year? 'As our research shows, there's a few different factors which go into a knockout Eurovision performance. If they can stick close to them, there's no reason Britain can't go all the way.' 'It's been great hosting so many stars at our awards ceremony this week. There's been a real buzz about the place with everyone chatting and having so much fun together.' TOP 10 BRIT EUROVISION ENTRIES
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Record Breakers icon Cheryl Baker, 71, addresses the show's comeback after 24 years off air - as she takes swipe at 'ageist' TV industry
Cheryl Baker has weighed in after it was revealed children's TV show Record Breakers is making a comeback after 24 years. Cheryl, 71, previously hosted the show for 10 years alongside Roy Castle, between 1987 and 1997, and has said she would love to feature in the reboot. The singer - who won Eurovision with her group Bucks Fizz in 1981 - took a swipe at how the TV industry is 'ageist' because she doesn't think she will be asked to return. Cheryl told The Sun: 'If they wanted someone to be, not necessarily a presenter, because there's always somebody younger than me. It's a very ageist industry in television. 'But it would be nice if they had me as a roving reporter or something like that. So that would be nice but no one's spoken about it so I doubt it's going to happen.' It's thought that Holly Willoughby 's husband, TV producer Dan Baldwin, is behind the reboot. It now has the title World Record Breakers: The Rivals, but Cheryl says the show 'needs to be jazzed up,' and 'needs to be more exciting than it was.' The TV star also confessed that it's still difficult for mature women to land a mainstream gig on the telly. Cheryl says there's a lot of people out there like herself with 'an awful lot of experience they don't get the opportunity anymore.' She added it 'would be nice if it's changing to include all ages and all nationalities.' It comes after the Eurovision winner claimed that the contest has become 'too sexual' and is no longer suitable viewing for children. Cheryl complained the contest has 'gone too far' in recent years, with 'body parts all over the place'. The singer became famous for her risqué skirt ripping routine during the band's winning performance of Making Your Mind Up. But Cheryl insists the song contest is now too 'extreme' and that this year's UK entry, Olly Alexander, failed to impress because his performance was 'suggestive'. Eurovision winner Cheryl has claimed that the contest has become 'too sexual' and is no longer suitable viewing for children (Olly Alexander for the UK this year) Olly, 33, performed his raunchy track Dizzy in a neon-lit bathroom surrounded by shirtless male dancers, dancing provocatively in red shorts and leather cod-pieces. Cheryl has argued the reason the public didn't vote for Olly was due to the 'suggestive' nature to his performance. She said: 'If I had to put my finger on why the public didn't like Olly Alexander's routine and why he got 'nul points' in the public vote, it would be because it was quite suggestive - which is in keeping with Eurovision becoming very sexual and extreme in recent years.' She complained: 'There are body parts all over the place in many of the acts. I think it's gone a bridge too far and everybody needs to address that next year. 'Friends of mine, who are very well respected in the music industry, said they couldn't let their grandchildren watch it because it was too sexual and I take their point. 'I think it's gone too far. Would I have let my children watch it when they were young? Probably not.' Olly ended up in 18th place out of the 25 acts in the grand final in Malmo, Sweden, a far cry from 2022 UK entrant Sam Ryder, who finished runner-up to Ukraine with his hit song Spaceman.
