They’re the UK pop group who have long been at the top of many fans’ wishlists to represent the UK at Eurovision. But it seems that Steps aren’t interested in going to Eurovision. In a recent interview, H from Steps said that Eurovision was “just not the right place for us”.
H from Steps — otherwise known as Ian Watkins — confirmed Steps’ Eurovision stance in a recent interview with Pink News.
When asked if Steps would ever do Eurovision, he was somewhat complimentary about the song contest. H said, “There’s mixed emotions about it […] I am a massive Eurovision fan. I love the whole cheesy experience.”
But H then went on to make a claim that is often heard in the UK: that Eurovision is too political. The singer said, “But it’s not a song contest. It’s a political contest to get back at each other and it’s just not the right place for us. Sadly. I would absolutely love to – but for those reasons, no.”
This is at odds with the way many Eurovision fans feel about Steps. In 2018, the group’s song “Scared of the Dark” won the OGAE Song Contest for the UK with 230 points. Steps were well ahead of Eleni Foureira who was in second place with 171 points for her song “Vasilissa”.
In 2015, Claire Richards from Steps had a different perspective on Eurovision. When asked about Eurovision, she said, “I never say never to anything anymore”. She remained hopeful about the UK’s chances at Eurovision, saying, “I know there is a bit of politics that goes on but if [the UK] entered an amazing song with a great singer/act then it can’t be ignored.”
Steps also have Eurovision support from Saara Aalto. In 2018, Steps were supported on their UK tour by Finland’s Eurovision star. At the time, she told media, “I know people really want them to do Eurovision for the UK – I’m like, ‘hmm, maybe I should join them!'”
Why do UK stars feel so gloomy about Eurovision?
H’s comments echo those of Bucks Fizz singer — and failed Brexit Party candidate — Jay Aston. In 2018, she told media, “I’m not sure we can win again, I think it would be miraculous if the UK could win. We have sent some good things over and we’ve always come in the bottom five. There’s no way we would want to do it again.”
The attitude is shared by Andy Abraham, who represented the UK at Eurovision 2008. In an Instagram post earlier this year, he wrote, “We all know Britain has no chance of victory, that much is clear. It’s all about politics usually anyway, with everyone voting for their neighbours and historic allies or whatever. Most of the voting you can guess.”
But despite these gloomy attitudes, in reality those claims of Eurovision being dominated by “political voting” have not proven correct.
In 2018, the politically neutral Switzerland — who had a poor recent track record at Eurovision — took a triumphant fourth-place finish in Lisbon. Luca Hänni’s “She Got Me” picked up points from all but two countries and the song went on to chart in 17 nations.
Nor does the contest favour members of the European Union. In recent years, non-EU members Ukraine and Israel have won the contest, while Australia placed second in 2016. At Eurovision 2019, seven of the top ten finishers were non-EU members, including televote winners Norway.
In the past five years, the UK has also received points from 33 different competing countries at Eurovision.
But regardless of how H from Steps feels about Eurovision, it seems that Steps fans will never stop wanting to see the group make it to the Eurovision stage.
What do you think? Should Steps represent the UK at Eurovision? Or does H from Steps have a point about political voting? Tell us your thoughts below!
I’m honestly beyond tired of hearing British people complain about the UK’s chances at Eurovision. If you actually try, then you’ll do well. It’s that simple. Look at how things went for Germany in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Then they came 4th the next year. No one’s refusing to vote for dated ballads because of brexit. Just sit back and think for a second: if people really hated the UK that much, they wouldn’t listen to British artists the other 364 days of the year either, but they do. Because it’s music and people only care if it’s good or… Read more »
Oh my god…. look at the standard of the Uk… it’s absolutely terrible, cliched, dated and unoriginal- thank god steps won’t be representing us… don’t get me wrong I have loved their stuff but they fit all of the words above,
It’s not political. The UK just don’t send quality songs anymore. in a contest consisting of 30+ songs in the final and each country only has to give points to ten of those songs , then you really do need to send a decent song, staged correctly to try and grab some points. Back when we were always or nearly always top 2, there were only some 20 songs competing. it was 50/50 of any country getting any points. Jade. Molly, Lucie and blue are the only 3 decent acts we’ve sent in the past 20 years. None of which… Read more »
Well, they aren’t wrong. Political in voting as well as promoting leftist ideas (LGBT stuff, mostly). I’d love if Eurovision was a neutral ground, inviting everyone to join in.
100% agree about Sweden, but “politics” isn’t just about officials, allies, etc. Everything associated with different perception of the world is political today. Like in Murica you have 2 huge political camps that differ in this area. So for some people, let’s say Austria winning was extremely political.
Well, as many pointed out before, Salvador Sobral, Duncan Laurence and Loreen very much proved it still is a song contest. Which means it should be a homerun for the home country of the world’s most talented artists. Unfortunately though, the UK hasn’t read the memo and usually tends to serve us abysmal rubbish. I’ve never heard of Steps before but judging by their looks they don’t seem to have any quality music to offer, anyway. Actually, they look like they have to entertain kids at a cheap all-inclusive family hotel to make a living. So if those so-called ‘politics’… Read more »
Kinda… I mean their songs were awesome, but you can’t deny that it wasn’t only factor that helped them win:
As for Salvador: I don’t think pity is something that gets you some sort of bonus. Otherwise Corinna May, Julia Samoylova and Pertti Kurrikan Nimipäivät should have done better in terms of their results.
Wtf with the comment about Duncan LMAO are you okay?
Lol …. didn’t consider Duncan’s sexuality as a factor…, had no idea he was gay untill recently, will check his video out now however ?. Loreen outstanding performance and really not the expected winner. Also Sweden had not won in a long time. Salvador’s song won him the completion and it was not a pity vote as you suggest.
Steps would be great. But the song has to be fabulous or try one of fabulous female singers we have in the UK with a beautiful ballad
They probably know they wouldn’t do anything even with a decent song ,
I’m British and I agree. Even if the British public get to vote on the entry, the mediocre choice of songs is a mystery to us too! And occasionally someone famous is bigged up to hopefully disguise what usually feels like a half finished song. Or the chorus only on repeat Though to be fair the 2020 song was a huge improvement!
Agree. 2020 for sure was a step in the right direction.
Is Steps really a famous artist group in the UK?
I really don’t know, I’ve never even heard a song from them. To me the group just gives some outdated vibes, but this comes from a personal view of mine. I haven’t even heard a song from them, but I just feel like their muic might be “cool” and “fresh” to some people who are already 50-60 years old.
Sorry if this feels offensive to someone, I really just don’t know that much of a UK music scene on what’s cool and what’s not
You, my friend, are CLUELESS
I mean, nordic confusion made several valid points
This is a good question, I’d like to know aswell
Anyone from United Kingdom here, that could tell us? Perhaps someone else than James.. he seems to be a fan and I want an answer that doesn’t come from someone who actually is a fan or from someone who hates them. A neutral answer, thanks!
I am from UK and can honestly say that they are not big here anymore, they are never played on the radio or anything
Finally a decent answer! I have feen confused since in here (wiwibloggs) this group has been advertaised as a saviour to the british public on getting a good result in Eurovision. Why do these “once a big star” -artists seem like they’d be a God’s gift to the Eurovision if they would participate when they themselves haven’t had any success in several years? I mean Bonnie Tyler was a big name, but to be honest what new did she had recently upon her participation in 2013? If she would want to have success she would have needed to participate in… Read more »
I understand Steps are popular in the UK, however they haven’t had a hit in Australia for years.
*were popular – haven’t been for about 15 years
They used to be famous here back in the day, but aren’t really anymore. They were very big in the late 90s and early 2000s.
They used to be famous here back in the day, but aren’t really anymore. They were very big in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Thanks for the answers to all, I guess Steps really isn’t the best choice for the UK since they’re not so popular
One thing UK has had wrong year after year is usually the song, very bland and boring overall, a song needs to have something that hooks you to listen to it more and more
DISCLAIMER: I am from Israel!!!!! If Israel can win any country can win!! It’s not good enough to simply say “everyone’s hates Britain and there’s no chance we’ll ever win”. I don’t wanna get political but it’s obvious that Israel is not always viewed favourably by people and when Netta won, people looked past politics and focused on the music (whether you like doing Toy or not). Whilst I don’t think the U.K. deserved last place in 2019, let’s not kid ourselves and say they deserved top 10 it just wasn’t as good as some of the other songs, and… Read more »
Ekhem, #metoo
“Politically neutral” countries like Switzerland…
That is not what is meant by political voting and you know it, theres no such thing as a NATO block.
Sweden is neutral too in that sense, but they even laugh themselves about receiving votes from their neighbours, remember their own opening act in 2016
“getting votes from your neighbours,
will surely lead to disgrace
but when Sweden gets 12 points from norway
Its clearly just good taste”
When Andrew lloyd webber can only score an 8th place in the televote and Bonnie Tyler finishes in the bottom 5 why would any big name act even consider taking part?
That doesn’t mean we don’t still love the contest itself, I’d estimate the largest group in the esc fandom are the Brits.
It’s My Time came 5th place.
What exactly are you suggesting though? Do you really think that Believe In Me is one of the greatest songs to grace the Eurovision stage and the best that Britain has to offer? Or do you just think that having a previously successful music career means that Bonnie Tyler should have automatically received points at Eurovision?
8th out of 25 countries though (I thought the UK was 10th in televote but whatever). How many positions should you move up JUST because you’re Andrew Lloyd Webber? Maybe just give him the trophy for even bothering to turn up? It finished above the far superior French entry in both jury vote and televote. Considering “My Time” is a pretty uninspired, run-of-the-mill musical theatre number, I don’t think that’s an entry that the UK can really complain about in terms of result.
H is right. While OGAE groups vote fairly, the ESC audience on the night doesn’t. All the same block voting still occurs today its just hidden behind the new voting system where for example you might find out that Serbia has received 60 points from the televote, but they don’t tell you that 60 was from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro Macedonia. (just an example
That’s so true about the former Yugoslav states. You know straight away they’ll get televotes from their neighbors and that puts other countries at a disadvantage straight away.
Yet in 2013 none of them progressed to the final!
Andy Abraham‘s comment LMAO!
Well, it’s true that you can guess some of the votes. Yet, it has been proven over and over again that you need decent scores from all over Europe in order to win. Andy Abraham was one of those rare British acts in recent years I actually liked and I’d agree he didn’t deserve to finish bottom 5. But being a sore loser won’t get him or the UK anywhere, either. He should just get over it. Every year some artists get ‘robbed’. And if you’re sending a decent, yet inoffensive and unspectacular entry, you should be well aware that… Read more »
I’m not exactly sure why Steps are being bashed with the comments here. They have a career and loyal fan base that most Eurovision acts can only dream of. I hasten to add Steps aren’t my cup of tea though.
They’re bashing the contest and this is an ESC fan website. They’re petty and we’re petty too!
I also think a lot of respectable artists are embarrassed to represent the UK right now due to its internal and external politics which limits the pool of selection as well
I can’t help but notice that in UK talent shows there is a tendency to vote for the underdog. When there is a UK national final a similar underdog current comes through. Considering that why would an established act submit themselves to a tele vote? True the Eurovision televote works differently. But an established act would fully expect to be trumped by someone with a great back story fighting against the odds as this is what they see on many talent shows. It’s not the performers ultimately. It’s the songs. They aren’t bad but not great. Other countries can send… Read more »
Exactly, how do you think global star Bonnie Tyler felt being beaten in a song contest, by an act from Malta who wasnt even a full time singer, just a doctor.
Bonnie Tyler’s time as a global star was 20 years before her Eurovision participation. Having said that so was Katrina and the Waves. The difference was Katrina had a killer song and Bonnie didn’t.
I wouldn’t want Steps to compete anyway. Eurovision has moved on from the kind of cheesy pop they make.
This old hat…oh well, two things. Who on Earth would want Steps at Eurovision, anyway? In 2020, the UK were going to send an up-and-coming talented songwriter with an entry he worked on (with others but still) himself that was relevant to music being made today. Steps would be a HUGE Scooch-level backwards step for the UK at any time over the next few years. Both times you’ve sent good (not great) entries over the past 15 years (2009 and 2011), you’ve actually placed really well. When 43 countries are voting, the occasional “politically-motivated” 12 pts only make a difference… Read more »
When will it be time for Eurovision to accept all kinds of music? I just hate it when y’all are arguing about dated stuff because sometimes songs that sound a little bit out of its time can also be regarded as throwbacks… no?
personally I think Steps can be just able to do throwbacks, and they’re not as much past their prime as the likes of Engelbert
It’s fine…we don’t want another outdated act to score poorly for us at Eurovision.
Steps may be popular in the UK but they haven’t had a hit for years in Australia. Australian’s watching Eurovision would say “Steps, I remember them from tears ago”.
Would have to be a spectacular song to make me pick up the phone and send a vote in.
k bye for now, sunshine
This subject comes up very often, but of course they just aren’t interested enough. I do know that H really disliked Scooch’s song (finding it lame/embarrassing/crass), but whist he claims to be ‘a big fan’, I wonder how much he actually watches the contest, or listens to the songs outside of it. What would he make of Hatari, or Zeljko Jocsimovic, for example? I’m hoping (and expecting) for James next year, sounds like he’s working with his team (who are all contempery hitmakers) and I trust them to produce something song. I liked My Last Breathe but we need something… Read more »
I do think that unconsciously people vote UK down because they expect a Coldplay/Ed Sheeran/Adele type song and this puts them at a disadvantage as the bar is already raised. I might be wrong but I know that if I hear the Armenian song for example I’m not consciously or unconsciously comparing it to other Armeni artists.
By that logic Dami would’ve had to fight comparisons against the likes of Sia in 2016, and she still finished fourth in the televote as a Korean Australian who couldn’t rely on diaspora or neighbour support.
If people continue to think Eurovision is too much of joke/too political, than the UK has almost no one willing to participate, having almost no one willing to participate means the songs are subpar and having subpar songs means the U.K. isn’t going to do well, and considering Britain traditionally did well, when they were the only ones allowed to sing in English, they’ll wonder why they failed and blame it on politics. This cycle happens every year and, other than 2017 and perhaps 2014, it’s been because the song wasn’t that good. But still, we didn’t need a band… Read more »
If we are honest. Uk would have scored great with Luca Hännis song. UK sang REALLY bad live in 2019. So iwas NOT suprised at all they came last. Steps can try. If they have a great song and live it can be good
Michael rice’song may have been bad but his vocal were really good,probably the best of that night
It wasn’t the best of the night but he sounded very good and Germany had an inferior song and singers, so at the very worst the UK should’ve been 25th.
The Brits are in denial. They really think they’re doing badly because everyone hates them or because they don’t have any political allies. Tell that to Israel, Germany, Austria, Portugal – they did great over the last decade without any allies. The UK keeps sending those inoffensive songs performed by decent singers and they believe people owe them a vote just because they didn’t send utter garbage. That’s not how it works, though. A song needs to be remarkable enough to get people to take out their phones and actually vote for it, out of the 26 songs they just… Read more »
Don’t agree the Brits are in denial, and there is huge love for the contest in the UK as that is reflected in the viewing figures year on year. The blame lies with the BBC and the way they pick the UK song square and simple! Look when they did bother with Jade they finished top 5. It is the BBC at fault for sending safe generic songs, but to be fair they sent quality songs in 2014 & 2017 and still finished outside the top 10 when they deserved top 10 finishes, they need someone credible so enter and… Read more »
Right, not ALL Brits of course. But a lot of them are, e.g. Lorraine Kelly, Terry Wogan rest his soul, H and all those who blame failures on the Iraq war or Brexit. The blame is indeed with the BBC for making poor decisions and being behind the times, but this “everyone hates us” attitude could be keeping good artists and writers from throwing their hat into the ring. It’s like a vicious cycle. I agree a top 10 position would be suitable for the UK’s entries in 2014 and 2017 (I don’t like the 2017 song much, but it… Read more »
Back in the day, many uninformed Germans would talk the same BS after each edition, too. Not even Lena’s victory could change that. It wasn’t until very recently the majority seemingly came to accept Germany’s terrible results were well justified by their terrible entries. Apparently British ESC fans still have to deal with that very nonsense at the moment.
Just remember how the tabloids blamed the Iraq war for Jemini’s last place back in 2003 …
Politics is almost everywhere, sports, arts etc. But it’s BS to call it a political contest. If it was a political content, you wouldn’t see Israel winning in 2018 or Portugal in 2017. I think Steps members would love to do Eurovision BUT i doubt their management allows them to participate now because they had a successful comeback and doing ESC might backfire. Besides, we’ve seen big names that used to be successful in the past (Bonnie, Engelbert, Blue) taking part and not living up to the expectations (Blue did well in televoting though but the overall result was outside… Read more »
Let’s just point out that these are the same people who cry whenever Ireland don’t give us 12pts ?
bEcAuSe ThEy’Re NeIgHbOrS
If I may paraphrase “Story of ESC”:
“Getting votes from your neighbors is a sure way to get your song disgraced,
But when [the UK] gets 12 points from [Ireland/Malta/Australia], it’s clearly just good taste!”
Nah, that’s me switching the quote around from the “Story of ESC” song from 2016 (“When Sweden gets 12 points from Norway…”)
aka the less popular Eurovision pastiche song in comparison to Love Love Peace Peace
Great because we actually didn’t want Steps to compete either. Bye!
Yawn, that old chestnut. H really needs to move with the times.
No, you’ve misunderstood! 🙂
Why are most British singers so unbelievably stupid? I would believe them if the songs they sent were all actually great competitive entries. But most aren’t. There results are completely deserved and the uk will never do well since most of the quality singers have this attitude
So what else is new? Eurovision was always political but at the same time was also about music otherwise many countries never would have won. And who are these guys anyway?
This is a typical Uk viewpoint. They have really been brain washed by the commentators to believe it. Anyone whose been there knows that’s not the case . Working on the competition for many years this is the same attitude I heard and still hear many times . And many songwriters told me they would love to write for Eurovision but not the Uk as they won’t win (again brainwashed by the politics arguement) there’s a lot of politics in other countries that won recently and they still won. This is just an excuse or what people in the Uk… Read more »
yes Cleopatra and Azerbaijan
not sure i can roll my R’s like Efendi either!,
Hey, just realized we’re Facebook friends! You’re a cool guy, Greig.
Kind of shows how meaningless it is to be Facebook friends.
edit: how meaningless it *can be
I suppose…
Could only wish Cleopatra was saved for 2021… a banger wasted because of the pandemic year
oh come on 😛
Wow… Just look at the comments: Eurovision fans being aggressive, hateful and mean-spirited. Nothing unexpected from this community. 😉
All of that for saying something that is common knowledge (and not just in the UK): yes, Eurovision is massively tainted with politics. Maybe it doesn’t affect the winner (I do think the best song ends up winning, in general) but down the scoreboard and to qualify from the SF it has a huge impact.
Ignorant moron.
And heeeeeere we go again with the ‘political’ excuses. From the country that finished last in the 2019 final with an entry that had “not even trying” written all over it, no less.
Make no mistake, Michael Rice is a decent singer, but when you’re tasked with performing the most generic, boring song of the year, with also a really bland staging, decent vocals alone just aren’t enough.
Your hitting some of the nails on the head here, and I agree with some points, the culture of the Uk, artists, songwriter, BBC is that they don’t believe they can win, so of course the top artists, songwriters won’t compete and therefore when you receive songs from Sweden they easily outdo most of the Uk submitted songs. I had songs from high profile people but they were always their D list songs, the Swedes take it seriously and send their A -List songs. Bigger Than Us was one of the best songs submitted that year, Michael was an emotional… Read more »
For sure Freaks would have done better. I understand your point about the UK public vote. Also I don’t think it helps for the BBC to have “expert panels” with no relevant qualifications or experience. Rylan Clark made it clear that Michael was his “expert choice” and thus influenced the public.
Also, I feel like the BBC and their entrants (even Graham somewhat) are complaining less about politicisation and those complaints are coming from artists who are getting passed for selection….
I’m glad they feel this way because I wouldn’t want them near ESC. Here’s what the BBC need to do: Find an artist who’s established (they don’t need to be famous but they need to have been in the industry for some time ideally with at least a prior album) domestically looking for an international breakthrough, or someone who has tried and failed to make it in the states and is open to embrace the European market. Give them full creative control of the product. I think a lot of indie artists are open to doing ESC on principle but… Read more »
Who are they?
Well I think this is great news! They just ain’t something the UK needs. Please pick someone indie, u have plenty of those and their music is great + I’m sure someone would be prepared to do it.
Hasnt UK learned anything? No, sending dated former big stars wont help. No, blaming others isnt an excuse for sending average songs. No, blaming Brexit is not the reason others wont vote for you.
but unlike Engelbert and Bonnie they’ve actively released some new music after a long while besides Eurovision?
Let’s face it, it’s virtually impossible to objectively quantify a “good” song anyway so the contest is a little paradoxical to start with. However, setting that to one side for a minute, most people are only aware of the song for the first time in the grand final. They have 3 minutes to decide where their hard earned money goes. Sure, they are voting on how the song makes them feel, and some songs do that better than others, but there has to be an element where people are voting for the country as well. It’s hard to deny that.… Read more »
That just describes how stinky the British public’s attitude towards Eurovision is. This whole “too political” nonsense is getting tiresome. My message to the BBC (nothing against My Last Breath, by the way as it was a decent song) PLEASE give us a song we can be proud of for once. PLEASE.
Boo hoo no loss here, Steps aren’t right for the contest nowadays. H has always been the problematic member anyway so his opinion is irrelevant, UK seriously needs their Anouk moment next year to change their fortunes, attitudes and future at Eurovision but I don’t think James Newman will manage to pull that off, I hope there’s a new younger artist selected.
I recently came across a BBC documentary from 1998 covering the Birmingham contest and even during that time, the line of talk they have even then were of mockery and self-service.
It’s annoying how that way of thinking from the powers that be in the broadcaster to the artists all the way down to the general public has been shaped for the half-century that country has been taking part.
I found that a while ago. Hosted by the guy from Right Said Fred? He starts out typically sneery and dismissive, but from what I remember he grows a bit more appreciative of the show. He makes friends with Dana and the Greek singer, and there’s a good chunk of behind the scenes footage.
I wouldn’t trust him now though- he’s a Cov-idiot!
He might have got away with that comment in 2008, but does he realise that in the last decade, we’ve seen Germany, Austria, Netherlands and Portugal win, all countries not part of a voting bloc and all long-time competitors. And even more than that they’re all countries that hadn’t won in a long time (or ever before.) That is enough proof for me to end any talk of political voting. If a song is good enough, it’ll win. Anyone using the political voting excuse knows they won’t cut it at Eurovision.
Don’t forget Israel. No neighbours, not always popular politically.
Yes, you’re right. Five winners out of 10 (so half) come from outside a voting-bloc. I really don’t think the political voting excuse really cuts it anymore to explain poor performance. And he knows they won’t do well, I found them dated back in the 1990s.
I think it’s the way the British see the contest. There are many videos where they mock the contest and the UK’s representatives.
I mean, with this attitude (and with a horrible music taste from the BBC), of course many artists don’t want to go…
Didn’t they released the song called “5,6,7,8” which would really be suitable for the contest?
Meh no loss, Steps aren’t right for Eurovision now and H was always the most problematic member. UK desperately need their Anouk moment next year in order to turn things around completely for their stakes, attitude and future in ESC. I also don’t think James Newman would be able to pull it off so I’m hoping for a new younger artist.
Are you thinking of the other Welsh Ian Watkins (only kidding!)