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The BBC announced that a new, ''[[X Factor]]'' style national selection would be used to find the British representative for [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009|2009]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/12292|title=UK: X Factor style selection for Eurovision|last=Viniker|first=Barry|publisher=''ESCToday''|date=2008-09-17|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref> A call for singers was made on [[BBC One]] on 18 October 2008 before the dancing programme ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] in a 'Queens Speech' style presentation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7677612.stm|title=Lloyd Webber pens Eurovision song|date=2008-10-18|publisher=''[[BBC News]]''|accessdate=2008-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/12395|title=UK selection - "Your country needs you"|last=Davies|first=Russell|publisher=''ESCToday''|date=2008-10-18|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref> Entrants had to be 17 years old by 1 January 2009, live in the UK or in a country inside the [[European Economic Area]]. Entrants also had to send in a [[video]] of themselves performing a cover of a song, or a song they had written themselves. The entry deadline closed on 21 November 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eurovision/yourcountryneedsyou|title= Your country needs you - How to Enter|publisher=''BBC''|date=2008-10-18|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref>
The BBC announced that a new, ''[[X Factor]]'' style national selection would be used to find the British representative for [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009|2009]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/12292|title=UK: X Factor style selection for Eurovision|last=Viniker|first=Barry|publisher=''ESCToday''|date=2008-09-17|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref> A call for singers was made on [[BBC One]] on 18 October 2008 before the dancing programme ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] in a 'Queens Speech' style presentation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7677612.stm|title=Lloyd Webber pens Eurovision song|date=2008-10-18|publisher=''[[BBC News]]''|accessdate=2008-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/12395|title=UK selection - "Your country needs you"|last=Davies|first=Russell|publisher=''ESCToday''|date=2008-10-18|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref> Entrants had to be 17 years old by 1 January 2009, live in the UK or in a country inside the [[European Economic Area]]. Entrants also had to send in a [[video]] of themselves performing a cover of a song, or a song they had written themselves. The entry deadline closed on 21 November 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eurovision/yourcountryneedsyou|title= Your country needs you - How to Enter|publisher=''BBC''|date=2008-10-18|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref>


Each live show was presented by [[Graham Norton]] and, like in other BBC shows (such as ''[[Any Dream Will Do (TV series)|Any Dream Will Do]]'') was fronted by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]. Each week the viewing British public voted a contestant out through [[televoting]], there were three contestants remaining by 31 January; the winner competing for the [[United Kingdom]] in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009]].<ref name="esctoday">{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12830|title=UK: The six acts competing for Eurovision|publisher=esctoday.com|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2009-01-03|accessdate=2009-01-03}}</ref> The song, written by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/12395|title=UK selection - "Your country needs you"|last=Davies|first=Russell|publisher=''ESCToday''|date=2008-10-18|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref> and [[Diane Warren]], was first publicly performed by Mark during the final of Eurovision, "Your Country Needs You" on 31 January 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7822137.stm |title=US writer pens UK Eurovision song |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-10 |accessdate=2009-01-10}}</ref> Over the series, various past [[Eurovision Song Contest Winners]] featured as special guests on the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4618|title=Format for first two national final shows revealed!|publisher=''Oikotimes''|last=Fisher|first=Luke|date=2008-12-20|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref>
Each live show was presented by [[Graham Norton]] and, like in other BBC shows (such as ''[[Any Dream Will Do (TV series)|Any Dream Will Do]]'') was fronted by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]. Each week the viewing British public voted a contestant out through [[televoting]], there were three contestants remaining by 31 January; the winner competing for the [[United Kingdom]] in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009]].<ref name="esctoday">{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12830|title=UK: The six acts competing for Eurovision|publisher=esctoday.com|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2009-01-03|accessdate=2009-01-03}}</ref> The song, written by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/12395|title=UK selection - "Your country needs you"|last=Davies|first=Russell|publisher=''ESCToday''|date=2008-10-18|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref> and [[Diane Warren]], was first publicly performed by Mark Evans during the final of Eurovision, "Your Country Needs You" on 31 January 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7822137.stm |title=US writer pens UK Eurovision song |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-10 |accessdate=2009-01-10}}</ref> Over the series, various past [[Eurovision Song Contest Winners]] featured as special guests on the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4618|title=Format for first two national final shows revealed!|publisher=''Oikotimes''|last=Fisher|first=Luke|date=2008-12-20|accessdate=2008-12-20}}</ref>


===Acts===
===Acts===

Revision as of 11:07, 1 February 2009

Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Country United Kingdom
National selection
Selection processEurovision: Your Country
Needs You
Selection date(s)Introduction show
3 January 2009
Heats
10 January 2009,
17 January 2009,
24 January 2009
Final
31 January 2009
Selected entrantJade Ewen
Selected song""My Time"[1][2]"
[[ United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest| United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest]]
2009

The United Kingdom and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) have confirmed their participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, despite their last place finish in 2008.[3] Jade Ewen was selected on 31 January 2009, to represent the UK at Eurovision with "My Time", a song composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics written by Diane Warren.[1][2]

Background

The United Kingdom will send its fifty-second entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009. It is automatically qualified to the final, being one of the "Big 4" countries that pays the most money to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for the organisation of the event.

The United Kingdom's result history has varied. The country is one of the most successful at the contest, having won on five occasions (in 1967, 1969, 1976, 1981 and 1997), however, it has only made the Top 10 on one occasion since the turn of the millennium, as well as coming last twice during that period (in 2003 and 2008).

The British public broadcaster, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) broadcasts the event each year and organises the selection process for the its entry. In almost all cases, a national final has selected the British Eurovision entry, varying between both a selection of performer and song, or just a song selection with an internal selection for the artist being held. For most years, the public had been able to vote for the winner, using in the past postcard voting, where the viewers sent postcards with their vote to the BBC, but more recently televoting.

Eurovision: Your Country Needs You

After coming last in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, the leader of the British Conservative Party David Cameron had called for the UK to withdraw from the 2009 contest due to the 2008 South Ossetia war, but to no avail.[4]

The BBC announced that a new, X Factor style national selection would be used to find the British representative for 2009.[5] A call for singers was made on BBC One on 18 October 2008 before the dancing programme Strictly Come Dancing by Andrew Lloyd Webber in a 'Queens Speech' style presentation.[6][7] Entrants had to be 17 years old by 1 January 2009, live in the UK or in a country inside the European Economic Area. Entrants also had to send in a video of themselves performing a cover of a song, or a song they had written themselves. The entry deadline closed on 21 November 2008.[8]

Each live show was presented by Graham Norton and, like in other BBC shows (such as Any Dream Will Do) was fronted by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Each week the viewing British public voted a contestant out through televoting, there were three contestants remaining by 31 January; the winner competing for the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009.[9] The song, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber[10] and Diane Warren, was first publicly performed by Mark Evans during the final of Eurovision, "Your Country Needs You" on 31 January 2009.[11] Over the series, various past Eurovision Song Contest Winners featured as special guests on the show.[12]

Acts

Performer Location
Emperors of Soul[13] London
Charlotte Finlay[14] Essex
Damien Flood[15] London
Francine and Nicola Gleadall[16] Sheffield
Jade Ewen[17] London
Mark Evans[18] North Wales

Results summary

Heat 1 Heat 2 Heat 3 Final
Jade Ewen Safe
Safe
"Danger zone"
Winner
Nicola and Francine Safe
Safe
Safe
Runner-up
Mark Evans Safe
Safe
Safe
3rd place
Emperors of Soul Safe
"Danger zone"
"Danger zone"
Eliminated
(Heat 3)
Charlotte Finlay "Danger zone"
"Danger zone"
Eliminated
(Heat 2)
Damien Flood "Danger zone"
Eliminated
(Heat 1)

Introduction show

On 3 January 2009, an introduction show to Your Country Needs You was aired. The show involved Andrew Lloyd Webber's quest to find the six acts that would compete in the live shows, as well as 'fact-finding' for Eurovision, involving visiting the Olimpiysky arena in Moscow, the venue for the contest, where the duo remark how an amateur performer would have a hard time filling the 20,000 seat arena. In Moscow, Lloyd Webber met Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, as well as meeting some Russian Eurovision fans, who suggest that the UK should avoid amateur performers and focus on a more professional approach. Lloyd Webber and Norton also visited Poland and Hungary, the latter in which Lloyd Webber is "more famous than the Beatles", as well as interviewing last year's winner Dima Bilan.[19][20]

Back in Britain, Lloyd Webber teams up with record company executive Colin Barlow, who has worked with the likes of Take That and Girls Aloud, having had 15 number ones and sold over 40 million albums as a producer, to help select the lucky six performers who will progress to the live shows. After seeing a number of entries sent into the BBC by the people, getting a "fabulous look at people's living rooms" as Norton says,[21] we get a sense of who may be the future qualifiers to the live shows. After a number of auditions and workshops, showing some potential qualifiers rehearsing at their homes and elsewhere, we are finally introduced to the final six qualifiers. They are five-piece "man band" the Emperors of Soul, twins Francine and Nicola Gleadall and soloists Damien Flood, Charlotte Finlay, Mark Evans and Jade Ewen.[19][20]

Viewing figures for the first show were successful, with an average of 4.9 million viewers watching the show, peaking at 5.6 million, a 21% share of the television audience.[22][23]

Heat 1

The first live show of Your Country Needs You was held on 10 January.

Lloyd Webber revealed that "what you see is what you get", in that there will be no camera trickery or hidden backing singers, and all artists performed live to a 17 piece band in the studio.[24][25] Lulu and Arlene Phillips were also featured on the show, giving their opinions on each act.[26][27]

At the start of the show, all six acts sang the 1974 Eurovision winner "Waterloo" by ABBA.[26][27] The artists also gave two further performances on stage during the voting interval, with the girls performing "One Rock & Roll Too Many" from Lloyd Webber's musical Starlight Express, while the boys performed "No Matter What" by Boyzone. It was also revealed that famous songwriter Diane Warren will write the lyrics to the winning song.[26][27]

A video clip was shown of the acts singing at the O2 Arena in London, so they could have an experience of performing within a big arena. As the voting ended, Lemar sang "Weight of the World" from his new album The Reason. During the results, Emperors of Soul, Mark, the Twins and Jade were all saved from the "danger zone", while Charlotte and Damien gained the least votes. Lloyd Webber saved Charlotte from elimination, saying that he believed that she would learn more from the experience. Damien was eliminated from the competition.[26][27]

The first live show of Your Country Needs You averaged 5 million viewers, an increase from the introduction show. The viewing figures, seen as another success, made the show BBC One's third most watched program of the day.[28]

Heat 1 - 10 January, 2009
Draw Artist Song (original artists) Result
1 Emperors of Soul "Love Train" (The O'Jays) Safe
2 Mark Evans "Your Game" (Will Young) Safe
3 Charlotte Finlay "Because of You" (Kelly Clarkson) "Danger zone"
4 Damien Flood "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" (Michael Bolton) Eliminated
5 Francine and Nicola Gleadall "You've Got A Friend" (Carole King) Safe
6 Jade Ewen "Déjà Vu" (Beyoncé Knowles) Safe

Heat 2

The second heat of Your Country Needs You was held on 17 January. Andrew was joined by Lulu and Duncan James, formerly of Blue, who gave their opinions of the acts during the show.[29][30]

The remaining acts opened the show by singing Brotherhood of Man's winning Eurovision song from 1976 "Save Your Kisses for Me". Two more performances were made by the acts, each of which were written by Diane Warren. The boys performed "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now", originally by Starship, while the girls performed "Rhythm of the Night" by DeBarge.[29][30][31]

Diane Warren, who will write the lyrics to this year's British entry, joined Andrew during the voting. A video clip was also shown, showing the acts meeting with warren during the previous week in preparation for their performances. As the voting ended, British girl group The Saturdays performed "Up" from their new album. Band member Una Healy also talked about her own experiences of Eurovision, when she was a backing singer for Brian Kennedy, who represented Ireland at the 2006 contest. We were also shown Andrew and Graham viewing some of the already selected performances from other countries, with Hadise from Turkey, Sakis Rouvas from Greece and Kejsi Tola from Albania being shown.[29][30]

As the results were given in the studio, the Twins, Jade and Mark were saved from the "danger zone", while the Emperors of Soul and Charlotte, for the second time, received the least votes. Andrew saved the Emperors of Soul, saying that he thought that Charlotte would not be able to handle the grandness of the Eurovision stage in Moscow, but also saying that he thought she had a big career ahead of her.[32][33]

Heat 2 - 17 January, 2009
Draw Artist Song (original artists) Result
1 Francine and Nicola Gleadall "The Promise" (Girls Aloud) Safe
2 Emperors of Soul "Kiss" (Prince) "Danger zone"
3 Jade Ewen "The Voice Within" (Christina Aguilera) Safe
4 Charlotte Finlay "Rain On Your Parade" (Duffy) Eliminated
5 Mark Evans "Me and Mrs. Jones" (Billy Paul) Safe

Heat 3

The third heat, and the semi-final, of Your Country Needs You will be held on 24 January. Andrew and Lulu were joined by Alesha Dixon and Emma Bunton, giving their opinions.[33] Each act will sing two songs during the live show - one a slower ballad, the other a more up-tempo number.[34]

The show was opened, as always, by a group performance: the acts opened with Lulu's winning Eurovision entry from 1969, "Boom Bang-a-Bang". Two more group performances were made during the televoting period. The boys performed "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", originally by Elton John, while the girls performed "I'll Stand by You" by The Pretenders.[35][36]

As the voting ended, a video clip was played showing the public's reation to the show, Andrew's involvement and who they want to win and represent the UK at Eurovision. We are also shown Graham meeting with the remaining acts' families and friends. Alesha, who has been present during the show, performed "Breathe Slow" as the votes were counted.[35][36]

Nicola and Francine, and Mark were all saved from the "danger zone", while Jade and Emperors of Soul received the fewest votes. Andrew saved Jade from elimination, and so Emperors of Soul were forced to leave the competition.[37][38]

Heat 3 - 24 January, 2009
Draw Artist First song (original artist) Draw Second song (original artist) Result
1 Mark Evans "Rock Your Body" (Justin Timberlake) 5 "I Don't Want to Talk About It" (Rod Stewart) Safe
2 Jade Ewen "All by Myself" (Eric Carmen) 6 "Think" (Aretha Franklin) "Danger zone"
3 Emperors of Soul "Patience" (Take That) 7 "Uptown Girl" (Billy Joel) Eliminated
4 Francine and Nicola Gleadall "About You Now" (Sugababes) 8 "All I Have to Do Is Dream" (The Everly Brothers) Safe

Final

The final of Your Country Needs You was held on 31 January, and decided who would represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision in Moscow. Three acts, Mark, Jade, and Francine and Nicola competed for the title. Last year's Eurovision winner, Dima Bilan, was present and performed his winning song "Believe" during the show.[37] Each artist performed three songs during the show: a new song; a song previously performed by the artist in one of the heats; and their performance of the UK Eurovision entry, "My Time".[1][2][39][40]

Final - 31 January, 2009
Draw Artist First song (original artist) Draw Eurovision song Draw Second song (original artist) Result
1 Jade Ewen "Lady Marmalade" (Labelle) 6 "My Time" 8 "Déjà Vu" (Beyoncé Knowles) Winner
2 Mark Evans "Try a Little Tenderness" (The Commitments) 4 "My Time" 9 "Me and Mrs. Jones" (Billy Paul) 3rd place
3 Francine and Nicola Gleadall "Sweet About Me" (Gabriella Cilmi) 5 "My Time" 7 "The Promise" (Girls Aloud) Runner-up

Promotion

Lloyd Webber has said that a promotion outside of Europe may be held for the winning song and artist. It has also been announced that Universal are looking at an international release of the British entry across Europe before the contest. Colin Barlow, from Universal, said that "getting the song heard before the final is very important and it has been a great disadvantage in the past that the British entry has not been promoted". [24] It has also recently been announced that for the first time the United Kingdom's winner will be performing at another national final. The UK act has been invited to the national final in Malta, set to be held on 7 February, along with the Turkish act Hadise. An exclusive interview with Andrew will also be shown during the Maltese final.[41] Jade is expected to tour Europe, to promote the song.[42]

At Eurovision

It is confirmed that the United Kingdom and other "Big Four" countries will automatically qualify for the final.[43] At the contest, Jade will be accompanied on stage by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who will play the piano during the performance.[44]

Terry Wogan announced he will not be returning as commentator, a role he has performed continuously since 1980. He will be succeeded in the role by Graham Norton, host of the Eurovision Dance Contest 2007 and 2008.[45][46][47]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Sanderson, Elizabeth (2009-01-24). "We wrote the Eurovision song in two hours, says Lloyd Webber". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2009-01-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b c Klier, Marcus (2009-01-25). "United Kingdom: Song title announced". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-01-25. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Kuipers, Michael (2008-05-28). "United Kingdom will not withdraw". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-05-26. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Devine, Peter (2008-08-20). "If David Cameron was Prime Minister". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2008-08-23. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ Viniker, Barry (2008-09-17). "UK: X Factor style selection for Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ "Lloyd Webber pens Eurovision song". BBC News. 2008-10-18. Retrieved 2008-10-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Davies, Russell (2008-10-18). "UK selection - "Your country needs you"". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "Your country needs you - How to Enter". BBC. 2008-10-18. Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Viniker, Barry (2009-01-03). "UK: The six acts competing for Eurovision". esctoday.com. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
  10. ^ Davies, Russell (2008-10-18). "UK selection - "Your country needs you"". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "US writer pens UK Eurovision song". BBC News. 2009-01-10. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
  12. ^ Fisher, Luke (2008-12-20). "Format for first two national final shows revealed!". Oikotimes. Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "Acts - Emperors of Soul". BBC. 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2009-01-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ "Acts - Charlotte". BBC. 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2009-01-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Acts - Damien". BBC. 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2009-01-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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  17. ^ "Acts - Jade". BBC. 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2009-01-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "Acts - Mark". BBC. 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2009-01-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ a b Murray, Gavin (2009-01-03). "UK National Selection - Introduction show". Retrieved 2009-01-08.
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  21. ^ Eurovision: Your Country Needs You: Introduction Show. British Broadcasting Corporation (2009-01-03). Retrieved on 2009-01-03.
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  24. ^ a b Viniker, Barry (2009-01-09). "Exclusive: Biggest UK promotion push for Eurovision planned". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ Fisher, Luke (2009-01-09). "United Kingdom: 17-piece band on Your Country Needs You!". Oikotimes. Retrieved 2009-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ a b c d Murray, Gavin (2009-01-10). "United Kingdom: First elimination show". Retrieved 2009-01-10.
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  29. ^ a b c Murray, Gavin (2009-01-17). "United Kingdom: Second elimination show". Retrieved 2009-01-17.
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  31. ^ Davies, Russell (2009-01-16). "UK: This weeks song choices". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-01-16. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ Klier, Marcus (2009-01-17). "United Kingdom: four Eurovision acts to the semi final". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-01-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ a b Fisher, Luke (2009-01-17). "United Kingdom: Charlotte leaves Your Country Needs You". oikotimes. Retrieved 2009-01-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ Davies, Russell (2009-01-22). "United Kingdom: semi-final song choices!". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-01-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ a b Murray, Gavin (2009-01-24). "United Kingdom: National Semi Final". Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  36. ^ a b Wells, Simon (2009-01-24). "Live from London, 'Your Country Needs You' Semifinal". Oikotimes. Retrieved 2009-01-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ a b Wells, Simon (2009-01-24). "United Kingdom: Lineup and details for 'Your Country Needs You' final". Oikotimes. Retrieved 2009-01-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  38. ^ Klier, Marcus (2009-01-24). "United Kingdom: three acts to the national final". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-01-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ Klier, Marcus (2009-01-28). "United Kingdom: Saturday's song choices". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-01-28. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  40. ^ "Songs for the Grand Final". British Broadcasting Corporation. 2009-01-28. Retrieved 2009-01-28. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ Horvat, Ivan (21 January 2009). "Malta: Hadise and UK representative in Eurosong final". esctoday.com. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  42. ^ "Singer Jade wins Eurovision berth". BBC. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
  43. ^ Viniker, Barry (2008-09-14). "Eurovision 'Big Four' final spots confirmed". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ Nikkhah, Roya (2009-01-31). "No more nul points at Eurovision?". Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-01-31. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  45. ^ "Norton is Eurovision's new Wogan". BBC News Online. 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-12-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  46. ^ Repo, Juha (2008-12-05). "UK: Terry Wogan retires from Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-12-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  47. ^ Rendall, Alasdair (2008-12-05). "United Kingdom: Bye bye Terry...hello Graham". Oikotimes. Retrieved 2008-12-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

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