She rose to fame on the sixth series of X-Factor in 2009 and has since made a name for herself singing in the theatres of the West End in musicals like Rent and Legally Blonde. But arguably Lucie Jones‘s biggest challenge came this weekend when she represented the UK at Eurovision 2017 and managed to place tenth with the juries, and fifteenth in the overall results. 

And uncharacteristically for the UK, reaction has been uniformly positive.

The Metro led on Lucie landing the UK’s “best result since 2011” and the Daily Mail described her as one of the “standout performances of the night”.

The newspapers aren’t alone either. Celebrities have been queuing up to heap praise on Lucie and her respectable top 15 finish on the night.

RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage had high praise for the UK act, commending her for a job well done and calling the performance birth of a Venus:

This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield also praised the West End star, calling her the best UK act in years. Schofield previously described the UK’s 2011 song “I Can” as “shocking” and has been an outspoken critic of Eurovision in years gone by.

UK 2003 and 2004 spokesperson Lorraine Kelly was also keen to praise Lucie, saying she’d done the nation proud:

While some acts fade into oblivion after Eurovision, Lucie Jones’s star continues to rise.

The Welsh singer is set to return to the national tour of Rent this month, will follow that up appearing in a six-week run in The Wedding Singer in Aberdeen and will follow that up with a national tour of Legally Blonde The Musical in September.

What do you think of Lucie’s result? Let us know in the comments below!

GET MORE UK EUROVISION NEWS HERE

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azaad
azaad
6 years ago

I think the difference in reactions to Molly and Lucie boils down to Molly being hyped before the contest to do really well, especially because Children of the Universe was acclaimed as a song (and just as a song, ignoring Lucie’s better vocals (no slight to Molly who was good but not great) and better staging in Kyiv) in 2014. Lucie, on the other hand, had to deal with the Brexit issue and a song that wasn’t hyped even after the revamp. It makes sense that you’d be disappointed with 17th when your song was hyped before the contest and… Read more »

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

Lucie Jones is probably the first UK act in years to clear the drought of ESC points. I couldn’t stop smiling whenever I saw a country give the UK around 5,7 and 10 points. Even the Aussies were impressed by BBC’s recent effort and so awarded them with 12 points(a big step considering how their previous commentator Julia took a swipe at their entry in 2014!). So did producer Björkman who gave them a good position at the grand finals(and even he wasn’t impressed with last year’s entry too). So well done to BBC!

Vannesa
6 years ago

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Daniel_2017
Daniel_2017
6 years ago

I was in the arena and her performance actually brought tears to my eyes! It was incredible! I don’t understand why people at home didn’t connect with that wonderful performance!

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

She was amazing, if Australia had sent this, they would have ended top 7.

I hope Lucie gets a record deal and releases a new single. I would love to see her playing on TV series she is so talented.

My oh My
My oh My
6 years ago

…and now with hints that Mans Zelmerlow will lead the 2018 UK selection, could we finally see a UK win before the next decade?

Tusán
6 years ago
Reply to  My oh My

No. Just because my man will work on that, it doesn’t mean anything. Emmelie de Forest wrote Lucie’s song, right? Look how much that affected viewers…

chromium
chromium
6 years ago

Best UK act this decade IMO. Since the UK’s televote situation probably won’t change in the coming years, it’s time to send entries that appeal more to the jury. “Never Give Up On You” is a great start. Get those jury points, UK! 😀

HBau
HBau
6 years ago

I’m glad she did well, at least for the UK. I’m not glad that the second part of that sentence has to exist. This deserved single digits, comfortably. I *am* glad the Australian jury and televote game the UK points, and I think this marks three years in a row where our votes have been among the most reasonable in the contest. If for no other reason than that I hope we see you all in Lisbon next year with a song selected in a national final – and maybe Lucie can be one of the judges, if she isn’t… Read more »

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  HBau

“I’m glad she did well, at least for the UK. I’m not glad that the second part of that sentence has to exist. This deserved single digits, comfortably.”

I completely agree. Lucie can proud. She was wonderful and worthy of a win. But even so, 15th is best UK placed in years. A bit sad, but that’s how it is. I hope UK continues a high standard of this year and they soon get a top 10 result.

Loin de La Bas
Loin de La Bas
6 years ago

Wiwi guyss hope you enjoy your much deserved break…Just please don’t leave us alone in this PED…we need reaction and perhaps results commentary videos from you sooon 🙁

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

Well done to Lucie! I’m glad the British reception has been positive, as it might mean we get another quality act next year. I feel the tepid response to Molly in 2014 for what was not an embarrassing result or performance led to Electro Velvet. If Lucie lands another good stage role soon, it might spur some other talented and less well known artists like her to compete.

Justin K.
Justin K.
6 years ago

I’m glad she’s getting praise! She really deserves it—Emmelie de Forest composed a great song, and the team (and BBC) really took public criticism/advice on board to create the best visual performance the UK has had in the last decade (maybe even ever). She’s probably the strongest entry besides Jade and Katrina and the Waves, as well.

I REALLY hope the BBC keeps the same team who worked with Lucie this year. They’re really moving in the right direction, and if they have a great song next year, they can really gain momentum to finally finish in the Top 10.

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago

why does the UK even bother everything is political nobody likes us because of brexit

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
6 years ago
Reply to  ninasublatti

That’s just nonsense. The “if we don’t win nobody likes us” line is very self-absorbed.

You came 15th overall and 10th with the juries, clearly the UK’s entry this year was liked.

Az Paynter
Az Paynter
6 years ago
Reply to  ninasublatti

You might think that Brexit would’ve completely screwed over the UK to the point where they got no points from anybody, jury or otherwise – instead, they turn out one of the best songs and performances of this year’s competition, they claw back favour with the juries (top 10 in the final) and pull off their best result in six years. The televote may never come back on board, but Australia left the blueprint this year – do well enough with the juries and you can still make a top 10 finish even if the televote support isn’t there. To… Read more »

Az Paynter
Az Paynter
6 years ago
Reply to  ninasublatti

(I forgot to add my main point, sorry)

The UK just needs to keep sending top quality material, keep doing a little better each time and before long they’ll be back in the game as competitors. This also goes for Australia or any other country – if you want to get anywhere, make a damn effort and send your best!

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
6 years ago
Reply to  ninasublatti

Exactly. Listen to Nathan Trent’s song. Internalise the positive message 🙂

Fatima
Fatima
6 years ago
Reply to  ninasublatti

That’s the line of a troll, or someone who sneeringly assumes there could never be as many as 14 countries with better acts than the UK

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
6 years ago

She was fantastic. I’m glad she is getting praise.

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago

I’m glad she’s actually being praised for getting a good result, especially when you consider the reaction to Molly coming 17th.

Étoile
Étoile
6 years ago

The staging was lovely and her voice is beautiful. Though she received 12 points with the televote the juries appreciated her song. A 15th is a good place. UK, continue on this path.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

Lucie gave us Anglophiles hope again.

AndersP
AndersP
6 years ago

I’d love her to represent us again next year, with an even better song.

Efraim
Efraim
6 years ago

She deserved so much more. One of the best performances of this year by a long shot

Ern
Ern
6 years ago

Lucy was robbed !!