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Eurovision 2009 - five reasons to be hopeful

UK Eurovision entrant Jade Ewen
  • Posted at 6:02pm
  • 12 May 2009
  • by JonWilde-RT
  • 10 comments

What's tipping the balance in the UK's favour this year?

1. The Lloyd Webber factor

Eurovision expert Barry Viniker says, "The last seven winners have all delivered performances rooted in ethnic traditions, whether it be Turkish belly dancers or Greek folk instrumentation. Traditionally, the UK excels at musical theatre. In turning to Andrew Lloyd Webber, we're conforming to a Eurovision-winning formula."

2. National pride

According to Eurovision veteran Dana, who won for Ireland in 1970, the UK has regained its Eurovision pride this year and this could prove decisive. "If an artist feels their country is behind them, they're likely to deliver the performance of a lifetime," she says. "When I returned to Dublin after my victory, I was welcomed like one of The Beatles. I had an official state welcome and, when I drove home, crowds lined the streets. I didn't get any sleep that night because all the locals stood outside my house singing All Kinds of Everything."

3. The all-important grid position

It's established that the later an artist performs in the final, the better the chances of victory. In recent years, the UK had the rotten luck of having to strut its stuff near the start, so everybody forgot about us by voting time. This year, Jade Ewen will be 23rd out of 25 finalists - most definitely a winnable position.

4. Less voting skulduggery

The UK's chances were always diminished by dastardly block voting by the Scandinavians and the Baltic states. This year the voting system has changed and will be based on 50% televoting and 50% national jury. "It's a much fairer and open arrangement," says Svante Stockselius, executive director of the Eurovision Song Contest. "And the UK isn't the only country to come up with a stronger song this year."

5. The X factor

Every Eurovision winner requires that indefinable "something special" to set them apart from the others. The consensus seems to be that Jade Ewen, Plaistow's answer to Rihanna, has what it takes. "The UK has got the twinkle back in its eye," says Svante Stockselius. "Jade has got the look of a winner about her," adds Barry Viniker, "and I'll be betting all the money I have on a UK triumph."

What do you think of our chances this year? Can you think of any more reasons to be hopeful - or reasons to despair? Post a comment below and let us know.

**

Now find out what new Eurovision host Graham Norton thinks of the UK's chances.

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Comments

  • Posted on 17 May 2009
  • at 1:36pm
  • by swalk1955

What a awesome night, The Best Ever Eurovision finals ever. Lovely to be in with a chance for once! Roll on 2010! Congrats to Alexander in Norway, and MASSIVE WELL DONE to Jade. As the song goes, now is Jade's Time and she's not letting go of it. Eurovision 2009. And well done, the rest of the world… This shows the World has got talent.

  • Posted on 17 May 2009
  • at 3:07am
  • by cockney

Although England SHOULD win it looks like the Eastern Block countries are banding together, some of the stuff that went through was rubbish I thought Andorra on their first trip did very well also Ireland. Good luck from the USA Jade.

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 6:46pm
  • by Valdez

Barry Vinkler is betting "All his money" - I'll take half of his money on 100 to 1 odds…Cha-Ching! :D

(no disrespect to Jade, I expect her to do FAR better than we're done previous years, but the UK can't win because 50% is still phone vote)

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 5:54pm
  • by ellie

if we get above what we got last year, i'll be happy ;)

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 5:15pm
  • by John in Bristol

This has to be make or break year for the UK publics support of this event. At 59 my wife and I have been watching since the 60s but are saddened by the voting fiasco of the last few years. But…and this is the very sad but the Andrew llyod Weber song is undoubtedly a well written song but it is a 'show' song from a west end production. Its not a European Song Contest contender. I fear we will blame again the block voting of the Europeans for another bad evening but the song is not good enough. Its my time repeated over and over and over does not a song make. Sorry Jade it's not your time

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 4:09pm
  • by Mo

Would have preferred Bill Bailey

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 2:54pm
  • by SLB

50% national jury? I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds slightly dubious to me. Still if voting was based solely on the best song; Jade's the winner!

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 9:47am
  • by BroadstairsBec

I love everything about Eurovision!

  • Posted on 15 May 2009
  • at 5:45pm
  • by Melvyn

We can't do any worse than last year.

  • Posted on 13 May 2009
  • at 6:55pm
  • by Nicky

Jade has an amazing voice and i no she wont let down the country ;) !

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