An e-mail from the BBC to an aspiring British Eurovision act offers a unique insight into the shadowy world of the UK’s internal selection process for Eurovision. It suggests that the decision about who will sing in Copenhagen is ongoing.

The United Kingdom of Rock, an upstart band that had hoped to sing for the UK this year, received the following message earlier this afternoon. We have redacted the names of people at the BBC.

From: [email protected]
Sent: 22 January 2014 13:42
To: Matthew Fielder
Subject: ESC Song Submission Update

Hello UKR,

A while ago you very kindly sent us a song for consideration as the UK entry to the Eurovision Contest. In the interests of fairness, we retained all such entries in order to listen to them all at the same time and compare them in the same conditions and circumstances. This morning we listened to all the tracks, and considered all the important factors: instant appeal, memorable hooks, live vocal impact, how the song builds etc. I’m sorry to say that although the song potentially means a lot to a British audience, the votes in Eurovision are only cast by European viewers and jurors and we felt that some of the references might be lost on that audience. Therefore, I’m really sorry to say that we did not shortlist your song. Nevertheless, we are extremely grateful to you for your interest in the UK entry and of course hope that you find success with the track elsewhere.

Kindest regards,
XXXXXXX

On behalf of XXXXX

The e-mail seems to suggest that Geri Halliwell is not a lock to sing for the UK this year and that the BBC is still searching for an artist and song. We’re still convinced they’re considering the likes of Vera Lynn, even if public polls suggest y’all want Little Mix and One Direction.

In any case, we salute the United Kingdom of Rock for giving it a go. Regardless of what you think of their song, their hearts were in the right place. They just want to see Britain soar in Copenhagen. You can purchase their song on iTunes.

Willy Lee Adams contributed this report from London. Follow him on Twitter @willyleeadams. You can also keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following wiwibloggs.com on Twitter and Facebook.

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MICHAEL CONACHER-FINNEGAN
MICHAEL CONACHER-FINNEGAN
10 years ago

Does anyone know the email address to send your song to for the BBC? I cant seem to find any information and I want to try to enter for 2015

EurovisionFanatic
EurovisionFanatic
10 years ago

@Brett

BBC will never (as long as I’m aware) stop with Eurovision. It is not about good results or such. To the BBC, it’s about ratings and Eurovision picks up a lot of ratings for a cheap price. The BBC gains a lot from the cheap ratings from Eurovision.

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

they should send a modern/contemporary song, i don’t know why it is so hard for them to understand. they should start calling known acts before they pick has-beens again.

Ronaldo
Ronaldo
10 years ago

@Istrati: That’s exactly why the BBC would pick her. They pick people who cannot perform and are generally past their prime. See 2013, 2012, and maybe 2011….

Istrati Ciprian
Istrati Ciprian
10 years ago

Guys….from wiwibloggs , before you write an article read more about Eurovision. Vera Lynn she is around 96 years old, i dont know if she can still even walk :)))) are you kidding me 🙂 hahahahahahahaa

Lawrence gibb
Lawrence gibb
10 years ago

It’s at times like these I would prefer to be any nationlity other than British. I tell you it might turn some of us toward independence (Scottish) just to get a decent entrant. The BBC are off their chump. The last few winners have been fresh, modern sounds by fresh modern artists. What is the UK’s most recent best result, oh yes a fresh young modern singer called Jade Ewan. Get a grip BBC and organise an open competition, allowing successful songwriters from other successful countries to submit an entry. Please, I am fed up with plucky but no-hope performances.

Jason Ranford
Jason Ranford
10 years ago

The fact that the BBC considered the UKR song proves that they have some sort of open selection going on. So why didn’t they have an open call for songs even if they’re choosing the artist internally? There are a lot of budding songwriters out there who would love to enter a song to represent the UK at Eurovision.

Pera
Pera
10 years ago

Katherine Jenkins with Andrew Lloyd Webber song will be nice choice for United Kingdom.

James Batley
James Batley
10 years ago

Brand new the_sp@ce_girls with I’m Over You – there’s a buzz about this entry. Something new and different with tongue firmly in cheek? Perhaps not. But it is in consideration.

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Anyone wanna do a Wiwibloggs collaborative song and send it to BBC? 😉

brett
brett
10 years ago

They need sending me! I live in London and can sing. Why they always send a ‘star’. Did I say a ‘star’. My apologies, I can’t call Bonny a eurovision star. They need to send Jade again or they need to stop with Eurovision

Anthony
Anthony
10 years ago

@David, If that’s the case, then UK Eurovision fans will be better off switching Eurovision allegiance to another country instead.

I really do fear the BBC is using the Eurovision Song Contest as a cheap way to attract ratings, whilst opting for the Father Ted excuse of ‘Let’s lose on purpose because it costs too much to host’.

Padraig Muldoon
Admin
10 years ago

Regardless of people’s views on the BBC, I think UKR are coming across as very petty. When they first broke the news of their rejection they were very snarky IMO, saying that we all should enjoy the Cheeky Girls and Rylan, and now they’re leaking the mail … it all reeks of sour grapes.

eurovicious
eurovicious
10 years ago

@David, completely agree. The BBC would rather pick something bad, then say “well Europe hates us anyway, and THE FEELING’S MUTUAL” – it’s a self-defeating, passive-aggressive victim complex that does a disservice to all the passionate fans in the UK who’d love the BBC to send something decent. The problem is that the UK entry is chosen by pretty airheaded people in the TV light entertainment department (I’ve met some of them) who aren’t exactly musophiles and who are responsible for things like gameshows and Strictly Come Dancing the rest of the year. It’d be much better if they collaborated… Read more »

eurovicious
eurovicious
10 years ago

It’s so British, this BBC rejection email – all with the “I’m really sorry” and the “I’m sorry to say”… they’re not sorry at all, they’d be sorry if they HAD shortlisted it for the reasons they explain. A straight, direct “no” never hurt anyone.

David Thielen
10 years ago

@Dhani y’all make a great point that y’all can tend to be overused and so we apologize that y’all have been driven crazy by the overuse of y’all.

y’all!

David Thielen
10 years ago

What worries me is that the double top secret internal jury at the BBC has shown themselves to be absolutely horrible at picking a good act. Really? They’re going to have the same yo-yos with no musical taste who’ve failed abysmally year after year pick again?

Note to everyone in the UK, Europe doesn’t hate you. They just want you to send a quality entry.

Pete
Pete
10 years ago

I think U.K show last years that theor choice of songs not good so BBC maybe should see over their references

D
D
10 years ago

I feel like it’s pretty obvious the type of artist that the BBC would pick. It’s going to be either:
A) An old, used-to-be popular singer that no one really listens to anymore. What they’ve normally picked in recent years.
or
B) A younger singer (from ages 20-mid 30s) or band, that never really had any hit songs but has released a few that charted decently.

I think everyone would prefer B, even though A seems more likely.

JulianaESC
JulianaESC
10 years ago

I wasn’t a fan of the UKR and the fact that they were rejected made me give a sigh of relief. I want something big from the UK this year. Something from a current artist, someone with the looks, the voice, the charisma; and the appeal. I want a stunning presentation that dazzles Europe and I want the artist to take the contest seriously and not be in over their heads. But, most of all I want the United Kingdom to aim to win. And for that reason if I was on the judging panel I would pick Katherine Jenkins… Read more »

beccaboo1212
10 years ago

Adele for Eurovision!

Ronaldo
Ronaldo
10 years ago

I wish the BBC — and all host broadcasters — were more transparent with the process so fans know how the decision is made!

gary dunn
10 years ago

One direction for eurovision. That is just hilarious. The ukr song i heard was not good and the bbc was right to not accept them for consideration. Little mix would be a good shout but im unsure they have any songs to suit the competition. Hopefully we still get a show thats away from internal selection tho.

Dhani
10 years ago

who wants one direction in eurovision?? COME ON? isn’t it only 13-year old crazy brainwashed girls who likes their music??? just because they think they are good looking. Oh. i forgot most people on wiwibloggs are übergay.

AND STOP WRTITING Y’ALL IN EVERY SENTENCE YOU MAKE AARGH IT’S DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!