She recently spent the afternoon meeting up and chatting with Finland’s Eurovision 2018 star Saara Aalto. But now SuRie, who will represent the UK in Lisbon with her song “Storm”, has earned the support of someone a bit closer to home.
Cheryl Baker, one quarter of the UK’s winning Eurovision 1981 act Bucks Fizz (now re-branded as The Fizz), has come out in support of SuRie and her Eurovision 2018 entry.
The Eurovision winner originally put her weight behind SuRie way back in February whilst live tweeting Eurovision: You Decide. Despite tuning in a bit late, and having some positive words for “Legends” by Asanda, Cheryl picked SuRie out as her favourite commenting: “Great light and shade. Another brilliant vocal. This could be a Eurovision anthem!”
I didn't hear the first song and only 5 second of the second, but my choice is #Storm by #Surie. She has an amazing voice and the song is anthemic.
— Cheryl Baker (@Cherylbaker) February 7, 2018
After the final result was announced Cheryl was definitely pleased, tweeting: “YES YES YES!!!!!! We have a chance in #Eurovision2018 ! Superb singer, superb song. Congratulations @surieofficial ! xxx”
Forward on one month to the official release of “Storm” on streaming platforms and Cheryl once again gave her support to SuRie by retweeting the announcement and saying: “Probably the best #Eurovision song in years!”.
Whether she definitely meant ‘Eurovision song’ as in every song from every country in the past few years or just the UK’s efforts is unclear – obviously there’s a big difference in overall quality between the two categories.
Probably the best #Eurovision song in years! https://t.co/O4FrzmUk4u
— Cheryl Baker (@Cherylbaker) March 7, 2018
Now speaking at the launch of the Dancing On Ice tour, following her stint on the newly revamped ITV show earlier this year, Cheryl reaffirmed her support for SuRie, telling the Press Association: “I think she’s brilliant. It’s a great song and I think we’ve got a very good chance of being in the top five.”
From this very brief comment we are of course unable to determine whether Cheryl has actually listened to all 42 of the other competing entries at Eurovision 2018 in order to make a solid comparison for this judgement.
“Storm” has definitely earned support from many British people, both in and outside of the Eurovision fandom, who remember the height of the UK’s Eurovision success. With a number of comparisons to Katrina and the Wave’s 1997 winning song “Love Shine A Light”, SuRie and her entry have got a number of people who had almost lost all hope in the UK’s recent efforts reinvigorated in Eurovision once again.
Although it may be good to have some home support, it is of course more important to have the backing of people right across Europe, and from varying generations and backgrounds – as they’re the ones who will actually be able to vote for the song.
Unfortunately for SuRie, Europe doesn’t quite seem to have the same amount of enthusiasm for “Storm” as Cheryl does. In our poll for ‘Who should win Eurovision 2018?’, the UK currently sits in 33rd position (out of 43) with only 0.93% of the vote. And in our ‘Who is your favourite automatic qualifier at Eurovision 2018?’ poll, SuRie is in dead last. The UK is also only presently hovering around 27th place in the betting odds.
However, this could of course all change as we get closer to the contest in May. With some amazing pre-party performances that really capture the anthemic nature of “Storm” that Cheryl loves so much, perhaps SuRie can change Europe’s mind. Or maybe the UK has some amazing staging plans in development like last year, when Lucie Jones surprised everyone with her mirror shard and starscape that was deemed one of the best staging concepts of the year.
Would Cheryl Baker return to Eurovision?
If you were hoping that Cheryl might return to Eurovision, either solo or a part of The Fizz, you may unfortunately have to keep praying.
During her live tweets for Eurovision: You Decide 2018, Cheryl picked out a question from user @LJG34 asking if she had ever considered having another go at Eurovision. The ESC winner’s response was succinct: “I would rather have root canal dentistry thanks x”.
I would rather have root canal dentistry thanks x https://t.co/k1yR7ZWGp7
— Cheryl Baker (@Cherylbaker) February 7, 2018
While perhaps a bit harsh, Cheryl’s response gained a bit more context from a tweet the following day. Twitter user @davehayescrew asked her “which was more nerve racking… performing on #DancingOnIce2018 or performing at #eurovision1981?”. Cheryl responded: “Eurovision”.
Eurovision, Dave https://t.co/O0BZLviXAM
— Cheryl Baker (@Cherylbaker) February 8, 2018
But who knows? Much like a root canal dental emergency, a number of past Eurovision winners have surprised us with a return over the years – there’s even one competing at Eurovision 2018!
So what do you make of Cheryl Baker’s support for SuRie? Do you think it is well founded, or have her falls on the ice tainted her judgement? Let us know in the comments below!
It’s a nice enough song, it’s just not a competitive song so I question why was this song ever considered for selection in the first place. Were the submitted songs which we never heard, that rubbish? Unless the BBC surprise us with an impressive stage set, and a much needed second secret remix of the song, then I fear we will be last yet again. All the best songs this year have animated singers, The UK are sending someone who can sing, but also dances like she’s in a Cliff Richard pop video. #cringe We’re not asking to win, we… Read more »
Top 5, at the bottom…
It just shows how out of touch people like Cheryl baker are, and that is 90%of the problem. If it is people like her choosing the 6 songs that actually make the final cut!, The Uk will never have a winning song.
100% agreed.
I would like to second that
This will need a very strong and innovative staging like Lucie Jones’ if BBC wants it to get above Top 15.
the final will include all the “weaker” songs from semi2 so she has a good chance to be in a decent place…. i think that “storm” is a very decent song and it’s difficult to predict its placing… we are proud that one of the composers ( G.Lewis) is israeli.. good luck Britain!
Who says that a “weaker” song from semi 2 won’t be in the final? If a good song doesn’t come across well on TV, it’s chances of getting in the final are not really great!
I meant that most songs in semi2 are weaker so there will be some weaker songs in final ( and good songs from semi1 won’t make it to the final)
What planet is she living on? What weed is she smoking? She’ll be lucky to crackpot top 20, unless staging and delivery is upped. This is a very strong year to boot! ?
Thx for the laugh wiwi )))))
It will come last
I’d like what’s she’s having, please.
Souris got eaten by a chat
UK will end up top 5 at the bottom
I dont think United Kingdom will do as good as Lucie Jones did last year, but it all comes down to performance I guess, so things could change in May, but right now, the song reminds me of Germany last year, nice, good performance, relatively catchy song, but doesn’t really go there, just stats the same tempo throughout, and while not a bad song at all, I fail to see how it would stand out.
The song isn’t bad but utterly mediocre and a step back from last year, which could have been a contender for at least a top 10 spot if hype had been built up earlier. In a year where the other weak songs will be eliminated in the semis (the other automatic finalists brought their A game) this could run the risk of finishing 26th (with a fair number of points, so like Switzerland 2011 rather than Germany 2015)…
She obviously has not listened to the other 42 songs!!
Vocally Surie is not even one of the best, she struggled to hit her high notes, (which weren’t that high!!!!)
The UK needs to take a different approach next year with the new Head of Delegation now that Guy Freeman has finally gone, thank God.
At this stage Top 20 would be a result!!
THIS! It’s a standard, median song and that’s it. Most of other songs are way ahead if her. If weaker songs get eliminated at semi-finals (which is likely, except for Russia), UK has a tough time of reaching 20th spot, even if the staging is as strong as in You Decide.
I also agree that SuRie doesn’t have a chance in top 5 sadly, because she is a brilliant performer.
But why are people so ageist around here? This is a disgrace. Don’t forget that if you are lucky you will also arrive that age and the chances are that you won’t be that fit physically and mentally. So shut up with all those nasty comments about age.
Tbh, I dont know why the UK keeps spending so much money to keep their big 5 spot. Its not like they ever send pure quality the last few years. The last time they sended a wow song was in 2009. I personally liked 2012, 2013 and even 2015, but more in a trashy lol way. UK, stop the big 5 thing, survive the semis, learn from your mistakes and learn that its a privelege to be in the final. SO ACT LIKE IT. Storm sounds like a fricking song Belgium or NL would send in the 2000’s , aka… Read more »
You guys think she is bad, check Metro, they think we’re going to WIN the contest. gosh, Brits are delusional in everything aren’t they.
Written by someone who’s trying to inject some positivity in an otherwise extremely toxic environment when it comes to Eurovision.
allexo Media hoes can do that purposedly so afterwards they’ll rant if it will bomb. It’s about what perspective they feed the reader.
Top 5? You mean from the bottom? lol
Why do many people asociate “modern” with winning or doing well at Eurovision?
Just think of last year’s winner…
Gurl bye
Funnily enough I predict the exact opposite for UK this year:)
Bonnie Tyler was a better choice than the Storm. SuRie is great but I have a Levina feeling for her.
We don’t agree with you Denis. Levina never engaged the crowd like SuRie did at the UK final. I think she’ll do the same in Lisbon. Perhaps not top 5, but I can see here getting a Zoë Straub-esque result.
But Zoe had a good song. One essential Thing that Surie misses ^^
I definitely agree with Cheryl. If the year was 1981.
The song in its present state is perhaps on a good night perhaps somwhere between 12th and 18th in ESC. The somg is ok but very bland….
Great performer but atrociously out of date, over simplistic plastic song. Bottom three.
the older you get, the more delusional you become :/
I have to disagree with Cheryl as a Brit, I still think we chose the best song on the night, but it is not enough to get top 10 in its present form. However, on the night of the NF, SuRie raised everyone’s expectations and received a good response in the hall which I believe she can translate onto the Eurovision stage. The UK have had a consistently strong staging this year and we can get some anthem vibes out of it- and potentially win the Most Improved VMA part 2 🙂 . I’ll be satisfied with a top 20… Read more »
Every year they say that and they end up in bottom 5… Ain’t it funny? 🙂
Cheryl Baker – I didn’t hear the first song and only 5 second of the second, but my choice is #Storm by #Surie. She has an amazing voice and the song is anthemic.
Is she for real? She didn’t listen SuRie (only 5 seconds), nevermind the other 42 songs. How can you be so out of touch?
Imagine being THIS delusional
well this just completely sums up the delusion of not only herself this year but of basically everyone else at the beeb year after year. how many times have we heard statements like this in the last decade?
Also the suggestion that there are 38 songs worse than Storm………GURL I can point out 40 songs that are BETTER than Storm. smh
“Europe hate us” and “It’s all about politics” alerts!
True that.
Thank God for Brexit. When that officially happens, they will face the cruel reality of no one really liking them. Not ESC-related, EVERYTHING-related.
Unfortunately this is going to go on for years. Probably next year will be even worse once we’ve definitely left the EU.
With first version UK will be from 16 to 20 place, with new version of song, from 21 to 26 in final.
Ok sis keep dreaming
Poor lady, please don’t have expectations it’s not the 90s where you could send anything and come second. UK has lost the plot maaaaaany years…
That is so not happening.. someone tell that poor lady
I love Storm but realistically that ain’t gonna happen. The good sis needs the memo that we’re no longer in the era where only the UK, Ireland and Malta could sing in English and were constantly favored by the juries.
Its good to have an opinion but im not sure she heard the other songs. If she had she would not say that. No way UK will come top 5, sorry
A simple response – where is it in the UK charts?
When it was first released online, it shot straight to #18 on the British Itunes charts in 1 day, which is very good UK-entry wise.
Wow 10 comments in and this section can’t get any more toxic.
Obviously she has not heard any of the songs… UK will finish bottom 3 for sure…
Actually SuRie’s is an acceptable song compared to other recent UK outings (Engelbert, Bonnie Tyler, Joe & Jake…), but still very far from the level of the best entries of this year, so I have to disagree with Baker (who, by the way, said this based on only five seconds of the song, which isn’t exactly the best way to have a good judgment on a song). The way I see it, charming as SuRie is, her chances of making the top 15 are marginal.
I thought Joe & Jake weren’t that bad! I at least had them in my top 20…. Surie however…. well.
Maybe I’ve been a bit harsh putting them in the same list as Engelbert, but still I didn’t like it.
Joe&Jake are the worst ever for the uk. what a childish and silly song, also they can’t sing. Engelbert was quite cute
Oh honey… She has actually the least chances of everyone to be in Top 5!
Well.. if 38 countries suddenly refuse to participate in May I can see that happening
Is she just sweet or stupid ? At least she’s supporting her country – I like that.
But let’s be honest; not even close to top 10 :).
They say the mind is the first thing to go….
Maybe she mixed up the top five and bottom five? Apparently, she wouldn’t be the first British person involved with Eurovision to do that. 😉
Hahhaahahhahhahhahaa I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time
UK is in the final, not in the second semifinal.
Second semi have at leaste 7 songs that much beter than UK so she woudnt be in top 5 there too. lol
Honey. It’s not the worst song, indeed. But let’s stop here.
I think she had one bucks fizz too many.
haha 🙂