Music

When is the UK Eurovision 2020 entry being revealed and when is the contest this year?


Who will succeed Michael Rice as the UK’s next Eurovision participant? (Picture: Reuters)

It’s only a few months now until the massed ranks of the continent (and beyond) descend on the Netherlands for the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest.

This year’s annual songfest is taking place in Rotterdam, following Duncan Laurence’s victory at the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv with his song Arcade – and the 41 participants have been busily choosing the songs that they hope might land their country the trophy this year – and the honour of hosting in 2021.

And after weeks of waiting for news of the UK’s efforts this year, we’ve finally been rewarded – but just who is representing the United Kingdom and when do we get to hear the song?

Here’s what you need to know…

When is the UK Eurovision 2020 entry being revealed?

We don’t have very long to wait at all until we find out just who will be representing the UK in Rotterdam.

Graham Norton announced on BBC One on Saturday night – following the latest instalment of The Greatest Dancer – that the song and act will be revealed this Thursday, 27 February.

The reveal will take place during a live broadcast on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 – marking a shift from previous years when the songs have been unveiled on BBC Radio 2 or online.

Listeners will also be able to tune in via the BBC Sounds app.

How has this year’s song been chosen?

Following a string of disappointing results over the past few years – culminating in Michael Rice’s Bigger Than Us finishing in last place in the final in Tel Aviv – the BBC has decided to internally select a song for this year’s contest rather than put it to the public vote in a national final.

However this year things are a little different, as they’ve chosen the act and song for Rotterdam in conjunction with record label and publisher BMG, announcing the collaboration back in September.

The winning song will also be released by BMG – who published Mans’ Zelmerlow’s Swedish winner Heroes in 2015.

Duncan Laurence brought the Dutch their first contest victory in 44 years (Picture: Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

Mel Balac, the creative director of BBC Studios, the corporation’s commercial arm, described the deal with the record label, BMG, as a ‘turning point for the UK at Eurovision’.

‘We very much hope this marks the start of an exciting new chapter,’ Mel said.

BMG has a track record of creating successful popstars, including Lewis Capaldi, Jess Glynne, Mabel and George Ezra – but it’s not yet known if the act who has been chosen is an established one or a newcomer.

When is this year’s Eurovision Song Contest?

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest grand final will take place at the Ahoy Rotterdam Arena on Saturday 16 May, and will be broadcast live on BBC One.

The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May, with 10 countries from each qualifying to Saturday’s grand final – and both will be aired on BBC Four.

As one of the ‘Big Five’ countries who are the main financiers of the contest, the UK is automatically qualified for the final, along with France, Germany, Italy and Spain, and host nation The Netherlands.

However UK viewers will be able to vote for their favourites in the second semi-final on the Thursday night.



Eurovision Song Contest 2020 participants

ALBANIA: Arilena Ara – Shaj

ARMENIA: Athena Manoukian – Chains On You

AUSTRALIA: Montaigne – Don’t Break Me

AUSTRIA: Vincent Bueno – Alive

BELGIUM: Hooverphonic – Release Me

BULGARIA: Victoria (song TBA)

CYPRUS: Sandro – Running

CZECH REPUBLIC: Benny Cristo – Kemama

FRANCE: Tom Leeb – The Best In Me

GEORGIA: Tornike Kipiani (song TBA)

GREECE: Stefania – SUPERG!RL

ISRAEL: Eden Alene (song TBA)

ITALY: Diodato – Fai rumore

LATVIA: Samanta Tina – Still Breathing

LITHUANIA: The Roop – On Fire

MALTA: Destiny Chukunyere

NORTH MACEDONIA: Vasil (song TBA)

NORWAY: Ulrikke – Attention

ROMANIA: Roxen (song TBA)

SPAIN: Blas Cantó – Universo

THE NETHERLANDS: Jeangu Macrooy (song TBA)

MORE: Slovenian Eurovision hopeful left ‘bloodied’ after lamp falls on him mid-performance… but he carries right on

MORE: Eurovision legends to join forces for spectacular interval act in Rotterdam





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