The Eurovision Song Contest may still be a couple of months away, but countries across Europe are already picking the acts that they hope will see them win the competition.
To be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, this year, the Eurovision Song Contest brings together the wonderful (and sometimes weird) musical talent from all corners of the continent.
More than 20 countries have now finalised their acts, and the countdown is now for the event that everyone in Europe has a soft spot for.
And now Britain has thrown its hat into the ring with a rather unusual choice. Engelbert Humperdinck, the chart-topping crooner of the 1960s and 70s, has been selected as the man to end our 15-year losing streak.
Younger readers are unlikely to be familiar with much of Humperdinck’s back catalogue, but the British singer has a career spanning more than 40 years.
The ‘60s was his heyday, recording a number of Top 10 hits both here and across the Pond. He’s sold more than 150 million records worldwide, and has a star on Hollywood Boulevard.
“It’s an absolute honour to be representing my country for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest,” said the crooner.
“When the BBC approached me, it just felt right for me to be a part of an institution like Eurovision. I’m excited and raring to go and want the nation to get behind me!”
Opinion over the choice is well and truly split, but Humperdinck has fans throughout Europe, and regularly tours the continent. And he can’t do any worse than the nul-points we picked up a few years ago!
But Engelbert Humperdinck is not the only colourful choice for this year’s contest. Jedward, everybody’s favourite twins, have been chosen by Ireland for the second time in a row.
The Irish twins will perform their new song Waterline, after being picked by public vote. It’s an odd choice, but given Jedward came 8th last year, not all that surprising.
We’re not sure if Engelbert can do it for Britain, but we’ll be backing him all the way come 26 May.
(Images: www.engelbert.com, Eurovision, tuechterlad, @planetjedward/Twitter)
