Latest news with #Eurovision:YourCountryNeedsYou
Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Inside Eurovision's biggest flops from Katie Price to Rita Ora
The UK's journey in Eurovision has been a tumultuous one. We've experienced the highs of Bucks Fizz's unforgettable skirt-ripping performance and Lulu's swinging sixties victory but recent years have seen more nil points than national celebrations. However, Sam Ryder managed to turn the tide in 2022, securing second place and reigniting hope for the UK's pop future on the international stage. Yet, beneath the sequins and dramatic key changes, there's an intriguing fact: several of Britain's most well-known celebrities have tried their luck at Eurovision... and spectacularly failed. While some famous faces were rejected by the public vote, others didn't even survive the BBC's ruthless selection process. The likes of Rita Ora, Katie Price and Michelle Gayle might surprise fans – all once eager to represent the country. But they didn't make the grade and one significant star decided to step back entirely, worried it would damage their career, reports the Express. Let's delve into the UK's biggest Eurovision disappointments and the renowned names who gave it their best shot, only to fall flat. Now a worldwide chart sensation and a regular on the red carpet – but in 2009, Rita Ora was an ambitious 18-year-old with dreams of Eurovision stardom. The soon-to-be pop royalty auditioned for Eurovision: Your Country Needs You on BBC One with a rendition of Oleta Adams' Get Here, impressing judges including Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. Rita initially breezed through to the finals and was on the verge of representing the UK, but she stepped down, wary that a Eurovision connection might sour her prospects in the music world. "I was very excited," she confessed to Idris Elba on his 2022 podcast. "But I felt that it was not my time and that this was not my path in the music industry." She heeded advice from her manager Sarah Stennett, who posited that participating in Eurovision could hinder her quest to be taken seriously as an artist. Subsequently, Jade Ewen took her place, performing It's My Time and securing fifth position for the UK, an impressive achievement given recent standings. In 2023, Rita graced the Eurovision stage, though not as a contender but as a star guest, dazzling with a selection of her chart-toppers at the Liverpool semi-final. She described the experience as "a full circle moment". Katie Price similarly made headlines when she retrospectively declared that she was "stitched up" during her Eurovision bid in 2005 following her stint on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here. The ex-model embarked on a foray into pop music, clinching 29 percent of the public vote – just shy of Javine Hylton, who edged her out by one percent. Javine represented the UK with Touch My Fire and came 22nd. Sporting a hot-pink rubber catsuit while seven months pregnant, Katie Price joined the competition in Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up. Facing off against an eclectic mix of pop hopefuls including Steps' Lisa Scott-Lee's brother; Javine Hylton, narrowly missing out on Girls Aloud three years before; and Gina G, eager for a comeback with her tune 'Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit', Price entered the fray. On Loose Women, Katie later confessed: "I was burning with anger and humiliation," feeling that the experience had left her musical reputation diminished. "I felt as if I was in a worse position than before regarding my music. I felt that my credibility had been damaged." Meanwhile, Anthony Costa from the boyband Blue, scored 11th at Eurovision 2011, but his earlier attempt for solo glory in 2006 didn't take off. The up-and-coming singer put forward a ballad titled It's A Beautiful Thing during the UK's Eurovision selection, aiming to win hearts and a ticket to the grand competition. However, the crowd decided differently, favouring Daz Sampson's unconventional school-themed rap 'Teenage Life', which ultimately staggered into 19th place in Athens with a mere 25 points. Anthony's solo effort may have been discreetly swept aside, but he didn't miss his chance for a comeback as he re-joined forces with the Blue boys in 2011. Their Eurovision number I Can was a breath of fresh air for the UK, storming into the top 15 and charming listeners all over Europe. Before she served ale on the cobbles of Coronation Street, Kym Marsh was wowing audiences with her vocal prowess and even took a shot at flying the flag for the UK in Eurovision. Despite being a household name back in 2006, the former Hear'Say vocalist and now soap favourite didn't manage to clinch the public's backing with her tune Whisper To Me during the national selection round. Her rise to fame wasn't new though. Kym first grabbed headlines in 2001 with pop sensation Hear'Say, following their smash hit Pure and Simple hitting the chart summit. Yet, as swiftly as they soared to success, Hear'Say crumbled, prompting Kym to part ways and venture into solo waters. Come 2006, Kym made an attempt at a musical comeback through Eurovision but only took fourth place amongst six contenders on BBC's 'Making Your Mind Up', ultimately losing out to Daz and his track Teenage Life. Kym reflected on the Eurovision endeavour stating: "I thought it would be a bit of fun and it would have been a lovely thing to represent my country," although conceding to the premonitions she'd heard about the contest being "a bit cheesy".
Wales Online
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
UK Eurovision flops from reality star to Coronation Street actor who failed to make the cut
UK Eurovision flops from reality star to Coronation Street actor who failed to make the cut As the nation gets ready to watch the Eurovision Song Contest, we take a look back at some of the famous faces who have tried - and failed - to make an impact on the stage Famous faces have tried and failed to represent the UK in Eurovision (Image: (Image: Getty) ) The UK's journey in Eurovision has been a tumultuous one. We've experienced the highs of Bucks Fizz's skirt-ripping victory and Lulu's swinging sixties triumph, but more recently, we've been more familiar with nul points than national pride. That was until Sam Ryder defied expectations and secured second place in 2022, reigniting a spark of hope for the UK's pop future on the international stage. However, beneath the sequins and key changes, there's an obscure fact: several of Britain's most renowned celebrities have attempted to enter the Eurovision contest... and failed spectacularly. While some famous faces were eliminated in the public vote, others didn't even make it through the BBC's ruthless selection process. Let's examine Britain's biggest Eurovision disappointments. From the well-known names who tried their luck, only to fall flat, reports the Express. Rita Ora Rita auditioned for Eurovision: Your Country Needs You when she was 18-years-old (Image: (Image: Getty) ) She's now a global chart sensation and a regular on the red carpet – but back in 2009, Rita Ora was a fresh-faced 18-year-old dreaming of Eurovision success. The future pop royalty auditioned for Eurovision: Your Country Needs You on BBC One with a rendition of Oleta Adams' Get Here, impressing judges including Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. Rita managed to sail through the early rounds and seemed set to represent the UK at Eurovision. Yet, only weeks after, she left the competition, fearful that being branded a Eurovision act could scupper her prospects in the music industry before they fully took off. Article continues below "I was very excited," she shared with Idris Elba on his 2022 podcast. "But I felt that it was not my time and that this was not my path in the music industry," she said. Her manager, Sarah Stennett, had reportedly cautioned her that the Eurovision experience could hinder her quest to be taken seriously as a solo performer. Katie Price Katie tried to forge a pop career and didn't make the cut for Eurovision (Image: (Image: PA) ) Katie Price also made waves concerning Eurovision when she said she'd been "stitched up" during her 2005 bid to become the face of the UK for the renowned contest. Post-her stint on ITV's jungle challenge I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, the ex-glamour model sought to forge a pop career. Bagging 29 percent of the public vote unfortunately wasn't enough, as she fell just one percent short of the victorious Javine Hylton. Javine, who performed 'Touch My Fire', ended up in the 22nd spot. Donning a hot-pink rubber catsuit whilst seven months pregnant, Katie took part in Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up, a live telly showdown where the British public voted for their preferred performer to represent them in the main contest in Kyiv. She competed against an odd trio of pop contenders: the brother of Steps member Lisa Scott-Lee; Javine, who'd narrowly missed out on a spot in Girls Aloud three years prior; and the eager-for-a-comeback Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit singer Gina G. "I was burning with anger and humiliation," Katie confessed on Loose Women at the time. "I felt as if I was in a worse position than before regarding my music. I felt that my credibility had been damaged." Anthony Costa Anthony attempted to go Eurovision alone but failed (Image: (Image: Getty) ) Boyband heartthrob Anthony Costa may have helped Blue secure a respectable 11th place at Eurovision 2011 – but five years earlier, he attempted, and failed, to go it alone. In 2006, the fresh-faced pop star entered the UK's Eurovision selection show with a ballad titled It's A Beautiful Thing, hoping to charm his way to the main event. However, the public had different plans, voting instead for Daz Sampson's peculiar school-themed rap Teenage Life – which later crawled to 19th place in Athens with a mere 25 points. Anthony's solo attempt was subtly swept aside, but he got a second chance with his Blue bandmates in 2011. Their song I Can provided a much-needed boost for the UK, breaking into the top 15 and gaining fans across Europe. Kym Marsh Before she was serving pints on Coronation Street, Kym Marsh was singing ballads – and even tried her hand at representing the UK in Eurovision. In 2006, the Hear'Say singer turned soap star entered the national selection with her song Whisper To Me, but despite her fame, she didn't manage to secure the public vote. It wasn't her first time in the limelight. Kym rose to prominence in 2001 as part of the Popstars-formed group Hear'Say, whose debut single Pure and Simple soared to number one. But just as quickly as they rose to fame, the band fell apart – with Kym leaving to pursue a solo career. By 2006, she was hoping to rejuvenate her music career through Eurovision. But she only came fourth out of six acts in the BBC's Making Your Mind Up, losing to Daz's notorious school-themed anthem Teenage Life. "I thought it would be a bit of fun and it would have been a lovely thing to represent my country," Kym later said. But even she admitted people had warned her Eurovision was "a bit cheesy". Samantha Fox Sam auditioned for Eurovision with all-female band Sox in 1995 (Image: (Image: Getty) ) Article continues below Before Eurovision became a spectacle of glitter and gimmicks, 80s star Samantha Fox had a go, but even her global fame couldn't secure her a spot. In 1995, the former Page Three girl turned pop sensation auditioned for Eurovision with all-female band Sox. Despite boasting four studio albums, international hits like Touch Me (I Want Your Body), and even a BRIT nomination, Sam was overlooked by voters. The slot was instead given to Love City Groove, whose self-titled rap anthem sailed through and eventually secured 10th place in the final – leaving Sox, and Sam, in their wake. Sam, who once dominated both the charts and the tabloids in the 80s, never returned to the Eurovision stage. While her fame persisted in other areas, her brief stint with Sox remains a lesser-known chapter in her headline-grabbing career.
