In the endless cycle of “they hate us” reporting, the Mail on Sunday claims that UK labels are refusing to send artists to the BBC for Eurovision because of anti-British bias.

“Record label BMG, which spent £25,000 to fund Newman’s entry, is understood to be among those now refusing to repeat the exercise for next year’s contest,” the tabloid says.

“Other major UK record label bosses believe European countries are prejudiced against British artists and say they ‘would not go near’ next year’s Eurovision after the way the voting panned out this year.”

“The boycott could leave the BBC having to discover future acts and fund their entry themselves.”

The annual refrain — that the UK does poorly at Eurovision because of Europeans’ apparent dislike for the UK — has left plenty of Eurovision fans with their eyes rolling right out of their head and perhaps onto the paper.

It, like so many others in the UK press, suggests poor results are a reflection of Brexit or factors outside of the UK’s actual songs and/or performances, which, frankly, are frequently lacklustre.

Australian Eurovision fan Matt captures the feelings of many.

That performance of “Embers” received zero points from both televoters and the professional juries. It simply didn’t light enough fires to climb the scoreboard.

The tabloid’s headline suggested that even Paul McCartney would fail to win Eurovision (which is probably true given that he reached his musical peak and relevance several decades ago).

The headline read: “Even Macca couldn’t win Eurovision for Britain! Music bosses tell BBC they won’t humiliate their stars in the competition in a backlash against ‘anti-British bias’.”

Swedish Eurovision commentator Edward af Sillén is so over it. He points out that plenty of people love the United Kingdom and its music — just not the performances that it sends to Eurovision.

Are you as bored by the incessant refrain “they hate us!” as we are? Do you think Paul McCartney could win Eurovision? What was your favourite UK selection method over the past decade? Let us know down below.

278 Comments
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Robert
Robert
2 years ago

I would just love it if we sent a new upcoming artist like Griff. She would smash it.

Rhys Stevenson
2 years ago

It’s down to three things that as a music journalist, I can see happening time and time again. The UK does not sent acts that are ‘out there / treating it like a concert’ – when you think of the rock and metal bands who played (Blind Channel, Maneskin, Lordi, maNga, etc.), they treated it as a concert and not a competition – because in the end, let’s be honest, you will find fans and industry personnel worldwide who love discovering new music. Hatari, they did not win, however they established a huge underground following. Blind Channel? Signed with Sony… Read more »

Siân
Siân
2 years ago

I think it’s because Britain keeps sending songs that would be successful on the radio, without realising that nobody actually likes the songs on the radio. Eurovision isn’t about being plain and inoffensive, it’s about being flashy and camp. Eurovision songs are not the same thing as radio.

Princess peregrine
Princess peregrine
2 years ago

The reality is that Eurovision is the kiss of death for most artists. Full stop. It’s a three hour entertainment show which is great fun but let’s not see it as something people should embrace as being vital for a strong music career. That is pure fantasy – especially in the UK where participation is generally a negative step in someone’s career.

George Papadopoulos
George Papadopoulos
2 years ago

Lol I am from Greece and London is like our favorite city in the world outside of Greece according to polls and its definitely true. There are so many UK fans in Europe like myself. What’s that all about?

Last edited 2 years ago by George Papadopoulos
Kim
Kim
2 years ago

Molly may have had a better song in 2014, but hated her reaction to the lovely presenter Lise in the green room.

Vladimir P.
Vladimir P.
2 years ago

Dear Brits,

Look at how well all the songs you sent to Eurovision did at your own music charts. That is also your answer for the recent UK Eurovision results.

Sincerely,
Europe

Xxx
Xxx
2 years ago

So they’ll just send another trash, will get 0 points and will bitch about Europe hating them again. Good luck with that one.

Wesley Hickey
Wesley Hickey
2 years ago

I dunno, I wouldn’t say their songs are terrible. In my opinion, I still listen to embers, I love my last breath. I will go the record and say I even enjoyed that electro pop in 2015.
What they need to start doing is getting better staging, and have their artists sing what they can. I’m sure James Newton can sing, they just made him do too much in his performance which compromised his ability to sing.
They need the right staging, along with what they can do with what they have.

Rhys Stevenson
2 years ago
Reply to  Wesley Hickey

The trumpets…. were not needed.

Patrick Pastor
Patrick Pastor
2 years ago
Reply to  Rhys Stevenson

Words cannot describe how much I hated those trumpets.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago

Clue me in on this, but the majors weren’t really fully on board with Eurovision in the first place, were they?

meri
meri
2 years ago

I am sure that they will reach a good result soon or late… the many streams of artists like Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, etc. are a documentary proof of that

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

someone should tell them that Europe hates more Israel, yet they won in 2018. Also, countries like Spain, Portugal, Malta that everyone visits for holidays, they flop in televoting.

Nils
Nils
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Israel, Azerbaijan, Germany, Russia … the Daily Mail people simply can’t be as stupid as they pretend to be. If they feel qualified enough to judge the quality of their national entries, surely they must have (even if by accident) witnessed one of these years in which one of these far more disliked/controversial countries I’ve mentioned won. To simply blame it on politics … well, which ones? The Iraq war that was used as an excuse for the amazingly untalented Jemini’s last place and every other failure up until 2016? Or the Breyit which will be used as an excuse… Read more »

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

William, you work at BBC, please do something and wake them up.

I am not surprised to hear the news, i fear that BBC will end up with drag queens since no one else wants to do Eurovision. However, if BBC wants to take it seriously, they can find an indie act and BBC can fund the rest. ESC is a massive show for BBC.

musica
musica
2 years ago

I’m sick and tired of the British sense of self-importance. No one cares, Brits. If you send a good song, we’ll vote for it. If you don’t, we won’t. It has nothing to do with any bias.

TJCat
TJCat
2 years ago
Reply to  musica

there is a huge difference between the attitude of the general British population and the attitude of the awful British press especially the Mail / Mail on Sunday.
believe me most of us Brits know exactly why we haven’t done well , we dislike our song choices too which is why our Eurovision entries barley touch the UK charts. It’s only the stupid or the press who pretend its about Brexit or “self importance”

musica
musica
2 years ago
Reply to  TJCat

I would hope so… but it seems these tabloids are hugely important in the public debate, seeing how they basically got Brexit done. So they must somewhere, somehow strike a chord with the British public. Usually tabloids go for the underbelly, the sentiment that no one dares to talk about but usually does exist. In Britain it is this idea of the once great empire that has been reduced to rubble by foreigners and European bureaucracy. And the idea that Europe wants to punish Britain for Brexit (when in fact it’s a sentiment that a lot of Europeans share).

Nicole
Nicole
2 years ago

JFC BBC, just say that you are lazy to fix your mistakes in order to do better next time at the contest and go. Its too tiring to see them pushing the same damn narrative down our throats every time they get the chance.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

If I don’t comment here, it’s usually because I have nothing good to contribute. Case and point.

Roo
Roo
2 years ago

The rehearsals!! This is my wheelbarrow I love to push. But I can’t think of how many times I keep reading on Wiwibloggs and other sites about the UK rehearsal not being up to scratch when it is 50% of the vote. Blue in 2011 gave a dire performance in the Jury final. Imagine if they did give it their best, they were in the top 5 for phone votes!

Pastora Soler
Pastora Soler
2 years ago

Lol. You are sending horrible songs every year or terrible performances (or even both things sometimes XD). There is no more secret in your bad results. Take a look to Switzerland. 8 years in semifinals, now 2 years with goods songs…. Top5 (#4 and #3)

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
2 years ago

The absolutely ridiculousness of this site citing the daily mail as a source…..that aside…..

Yes, do better BBC. UK deserve so much better. Shame

Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  Trocatroc

it is ridiculous but actually i can think this is true

Bella
Bella
2 years ago

I think it would be best for everyone – the UK and the other countries – if the Brits just left Eurovision. They’re not even trying, they only bring bad songs/performers, they always mock the contest and all the other countries, and then they use it as part of their constant “Europe’s responsible for all of our issues” rhetoric. Just leave for a couple years, and maybe come back with an actual thirst to do well and enjoy the party.

Austin Morley
2 years ago
Reply to  Bella

Yes why not. I would be happy for the UK to withdraw it’s funding so it had to qualify via the semi finals like most other countries. That would create a thirst to do better. This is UK taxpayers money after all that the BBC spends.

OberonYronwood
OberonYronwood
2 years ago

The BBC reminds me to that student who does absolutely nothing in class, barely goes and doesn’t study for the exam and when he fails he throws a tantrum claiming that either the teacher hates them or that the system is sooo unfair. Look UK, if you want good results, WORK HARD to achieve them, get rid of middle of the road safe poppy songs, you have the biggest musical industry in Europe, there are no excuses for you, I’m sure there are plenty of great singer and songwriters out there who desperately want a chance to prove their enormous… Read more »

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
2 years ago
Reply to  OberonYronwood

That is my narrative percisly

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  OberonYronwood

That is a perfect analogy.

Lex
Lex
2 years ago

oh gosh the DELUSION

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Lex

Convince yourself.

Lesley Armstrong
2 years ago

Despite the way it was portrayed, every country did NOT vote UK last, however not 1 put us in their top 10, which is why we received no points.
I’d happily represent the UK by the way…just saying…haha

Maybush
2 years ago

I am from the UK and have been watching Eurovision for nearly 50 years. For the last few years I have become increasingly tired of the BBC “Jokey” coverage and frustrated that they can’t just send a decent song with a decent live performer and a decent staging. I loved the song Embers but it needed a better live performance and a much better staging. I think it is time to give another broadcaster a go or just give up.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Maybush

Do you think the UK would have the balls to actually withdraw from eurovision, and would we miss it?

TJCat
TJCat
2 years ago
Reply to  Maybush

you make a good point, but its not juts recent years. I recently watched ” as song for europe 1984, the jokes and the disdain for eurovision and the songs was very clear way back then too (mainly from the presenter)

Ang
Ang
2 years ago
Reply to  Maybush

Are you referring to Graham Norton? He loves Eurovision, & I think you can tell that from his commentary. He’s a lot better than Terry Wogan who really seemed to look down on the competition & the entrants from other countries. He had an appalling attitude to the event, imo, & is responsible for the UK’s general opinion on the competition. British people who aren’t Eurovision fans just think the event is a huge joke full of gimmicky songs. My wife watches it with me every year, even though she doesn’t like it ( she loves music, but only certain… Read more »

Chris
Chris
2 years ago

This is probably best for all concerned, really. Clearly the tried and true approach and pool of songs/performers isn’t working. Frock Destroyers anyone? Probably not a winner, but they’re the right sensibility, and popular enough to restore some confidence.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Since the UK sees Eurovision as a joke, they may as well send a joke.

TJCat
TJCat
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

correction, mostly “the UK” doesn’t see it as a joke
the awful UK press and the BBC probably do

Chris
Chris
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Eurovision is the perfect blend of serious music and camp spectacle, including joke acts and musical comedians. Did we forget grandmas baking cookies came 2nd? FD or not, the UK needs something that commits to one or the other, rather than the merely serviceable pop performers they’ve been sending. Yes, ‘real’ music should win out, but better to have a fun, entertaining act that gets and loves Eurovision and finishes in the top 15 than yet another earnest, forgettable performance that finishes last. The biggest, unfunniest ‘joke’ here is the assumption that the UK always comes last. No top-tier performer… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Chris

They would only make people take it less seriously, and put people with actual musical talent even further off. One top fifteen result could mean another twenty years of zero points results.

Ang
Ang
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

British Eurovision fans certainly don’t see it as a joke, but the media & those who don’t care about it do. Unfortunately they seem to have influence on the British organisers &, even worse, potential artists. Who would want to take part if you’ll be ridiculed in the press for doing so? Imagine if Adele said she wanted to enter the competition. I can see the headlines in certain papers: “Adele slumming it”, “Why is Adele doing Eurovision”, “Adele decides to have a laugh”, etc. Some of our newspaper are poisonous, full of xenophobic bile & delusions of grandeur, dreaming… Read more »

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
2 years ago

Just leave the Big 5 status already. Save money on production, staging and NF show hosting costs. Brits need to stop flexing their egos at ESC.

Last edited 2 years ago by Charli Cheer Up
Ethan
Ethan
2 years ago

Honestly if you want evidence as to why it’s not all down to “they hate us” and bias look at 2017. That was the first contest that happened after Brexit and did we do poorly. Yes but by UK standards it was a shocking result. Why? Because the song was not boring and same old, because the staging captivated us and because little Lucie could hold the entire audience to her on an empty stage. We need better UK acts but if we blame everyone else it’s not gonna happen. A shame really

Shuma
Shuma
2 years ago
Reply to  Ethan

And the televote ranked us 22nd!

Jay
Jay
2 years ago

Pulling out is better

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

An interesting trivia about the UK is that (IMO) whenever they year as a whole is very poor, they tend to rise above it and send something at least solid. 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2011 are probably some of the poorest ESC years in this century, and yet, UK managed to give us decent songs. Each time I rated the whole year as under average, UK was in my top half, if not top quarter. Nice and funny pattern, even though it does come down to my personal opinion.

stjimmy
stjimmy
2 years ago

We should still be on a 30 year ban from that effort in 2010………..

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  stjimmy

Ha ha ha… By that logic, we (Croatia) should join you in that ban for the 2011 eardrum attack. In my opinion, it was even worse. 🙂
The UK has already started working toward the redemption by sending better and better songs 2011-2014, to cement that by 2017. 🙂

Last edited 2 years ago by Colin
Btzbtz
Btzbtz
2 years ago

I saw an old video from the 1988 uk singer in a talk show and they had callers phoning in claiming it was all political although he literally finished 2nd by 1 point! Just goes to show this type of mentality isnt new and people will always find excuses no matter how well you do. Though to be fair, other countries do that too. We just hear about the uk a lot because thats where most english language blogs are based.

Jimbo
Jimbo
2 years ago

Embers really was a decent record however the whole package at the Eurovision from the singing to the performance and the staging of the song was really not good. If it is true that record label aren’t willing to send there music artists to Eurovision then I think BBC should take this type of approach. 1. Send a BBC Introducing music artist like where they found Molly in 2014. 2. Setup a songwriting camp with British songwriters however make sure the BBC Introducing music artist co-write on the songs to make it natural for them to connect with the song.… Read more »

Dida
Dida
2 years ago

UK has one of the most powerful music industry in the world, just take a look at Dua Lipa, Adele, Sam Smith, Jessie J, Coldplay, Ellie Goulding and Little Mix, to name just a few. It’s about the mediocre songs they’re sending for Eurovision, and that’s it…

Sexy American
Sexy American
2 years ago

I liked the studio version of Embers which was my 11th favorite song, but I was disappointed with the live performance of that song. I didn’t feel that Newman was singing with passion like I see with others.

Jeaux
Jeaux
2 years ago

I think its worth noting this too…I love the song Embers they sent, I think the absolutely awful staging of the song is what did it in…i don’t think it deserved no points at all, but it definitely wasn’t some amazing should’ve won song

Fatima
Fatima
2 years ago

The UK should do what Italy did in 1997. Take 13 years off. Hopefully by 2035 there will be a clean slate, rather than this tiresome pity party led by the UK Tabloids and Lorraine Kelly. I am going to enjoy the contest just as much without their bleatings.

Badwoolfgirl
Badwoolfgirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

Would the UK actually have the balls to withdraw? Would anyone miss it?

Princess peregrine
Princess peregrine
2 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

Agree. We should have left after 2005 when a perfectly good song and performance was shunned.

Fatima
Fatima
2 years ago

I like Adele, but she is not a strong enough singer to win the contest. Even she admits to being pitchy at times. Paul McCartney, however, could write a song which might win. He probably already has one which would be suitable. He doesn’t need to perform it. I imagine there would be quite a few takers for that opportunity.
And can we please stop saying that certain acts and songs are ‘not relevant’. If that were a thing then we’d never bother listening to old music.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

Dominic Fike, Paul McCartney. The Kiss of Venus. 2021. It would not have gotten zero points.

Europotato
Europotato
2 years ago

Spending a mere £25k for your act then saying U.K. are hated is literally hilarious. Do they hear themselves?

Roland Flook
2 years ago

Maybe the UK should go down a similar route to Sweden’s selection process instead of being given the choice of a shortlist of 6 bad songs selected by “experts” or giving the public no say whatsoever. Our last good entry in my opinion was Imaani in 1998

Agent 007
Agent 007
2 years ago

Why didn´t people hate the UK in 2009? Because the song was good!

Daniel
Daniel
2 years ago

Thinks the criticism of Britain is too harsh. Have myself partly similar experiences from my own life that you are told that you should take responsibility and it would be your own fault when you can not control different things.

If bbc does not want or can not to take responsibility for things going well for those in the competition, then they should be able to give it to someone else, for example a TV channel, in this case it could probably work.

Last edited 2 years ago by Daniel
BoopDeDoop
BoopDeDoop
2 years ago

Send Dua Lipa or Jessie J, Ella Ayre even. Come on, there’s plenty of UK Talent that could do well. Bonnie Tyler did okay few years ago, although didn’t win, she at least scored us some points.

Izzy
Izzy
2 years ago

Such a childish reaction! UK labels need a thorough reality check. No one hates the UK – they simply send crappie songs and that’s it!

Yorkster
Yorkster
2 years ago

Is it a shame that record companies won’t get behind a UK entry? Possibly. Is it a shame that the BBC doesn’t invest serious effort into a UK entry? Definitely! It doesn’t matter what some nonsensical tabloid says on the matter because the kind of people that read and/or believe their tripe have struggling IQs at best. Those sorts don’t contribute anything good to the cause, merely hinder it. In the 21st century, I think it’d be generous to say the UK has sent 4 decent entries to Eurovision. 4 out of 20! And of those, a major UK label… Read more »

Jay
Jay
2 years ago
Reply to  Yorkster

Which 4 in your opinion?

neve
neve
2 years ago

as a british person. it is annoying to see us get zero points. it does feel like the whole of europe hates us. James song was actually decent this year and getting nothing was sad

Tomas Davitt
Tomas Davitt
2 years ago
Reply to  neve

What position did it reach in the UK charts?

Princess peregrine
Princess peregrine
2 years ago
Reply to  Tomas Davitt

Ha. How many Eurovision songs have charted in the UK’s top 40 in the last ten years. No one cares.

Pastora Soler
Pastora Soler
2 years ago
Reply to  neve

You should feel sad about those ridiculous trompets… Would you vote for that??? Comeeee onnnn

Ang
Ang
2 years ago
Reply to  neve

Yes, the song was decent, well I thought more than decent, I loved it. But the performance wasn’t good. It was overshadowed by almost every other performance. You can’t just have a good studio version of a song at Eurovision, you have to have a great live performance, something that attracts your attention & sticks in your mind throughout the entire competition & is still in your mind during voting. Other countries do it, why can’t we? Just compare the performances of Måneskin & Go_A to James Newman. There’s no comparison. The first 2 were electrifying & exciting. James was… Read more »

Héctor
Héctor
2 years ago

Yeah, because sending an actual good song is harder. Better complain and boycott than try to look for something interesting. I do believe this is all smoke but in case it was true I’d be ashamed to say that. In fact, one just gotta see the pop top lists where there are a lot of British artists. I myself listen to a lot of British artists from pop to rock to indie, but in the last 3 or 4 years I would’ve never give UK a single point. Maybe, by going indepent, the BBC is able to find much better… Read more »

Robert
Robert
2 years ago

Might as well leave the Big 5 and let Sweden, the Netherlands or whoever in.. Had just about enough of this self pitty BS.. Or bring it, not halfway but ALL the way! The talent over there is incredible yet the condescending manor they approach Eurovision makes them unworthy of being a Big 5 country!

TJCat
TJCat
2 years ago
Reply to  Robert

and most of the UK would agree with that, but remember this isn’t representative of most people from the people of the UK who actually know the real reason we do badly (poor songs). its all the rubbish from the awful tabloid press just making up stories. The daily mail and Sunday mail is probably one of the most disliked and boycotted papers in the UK

Efraim
Efraim
2 years ago

The cold, hard fact of it is: We don’t hate you, UK, you’re just doing it wrong. If you try to impress Europe with a song that you can’t get to chart in your own country until after bombing at the contest (missing out on the top 40 and being on the list for all of one week, at that), you’re doing it wrong. If your best idea for a stage presentation that can rival light rings, 8-bit cartoons, a mobile plinth structure, an angel surrounded by demons, and freaking invisible men, is hanging two giant trumpets from the rafters,… Read more »

TJCat
TJCat
2 years ago
Reply to  Efraim

most of the UK understands this. its just more embarrassing crap from the dreadful tabloids

Austin Morley
2 years ago

Being hated is complete nonsense. It’s the BBCs choice of artists and songs which is dire. The UK has one of the most successful music industries in the world and we just need songs that and artists which reflect our status. The BBC need to resign from the contest and allow another broadcaster to take up the mantle. James Newman was a songwriter not a great performer. BMG selected an untrained pup to do the job of an adult rottweiler. Let another country take our place in the Big 5 so taxpayers aren’t paying for this rubbish any longer. Let… Read more »

blahh
blahh
2 years ago

bruh some brits here and unimaginably toxic
playing the victim card won’t get you anywhere, UK. where’s the stuff that stands out???
how the brits love eurovision has NOTHING to do with the song quality