United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009

ESC National Year
Year = 2009
Country = GBR
Preselection =
Preselection date =
Entrant =
Song =
SF result =
Final result = 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. [cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12009 |title=United Kingdom will not withdraw |publisher="ESCToday"|author=Kuipers, Michael |date=2008-05-28 |accessdate=2008-05-26]

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. [cite web |url=http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/eurovision/2008/08/if_david_cameron_was_prime_min.html|title=If David Cameron was Prime Minister|publisher="Manchester Evening News"|author=Devine, Peter|accessdate=2008-08-23|date=2008-08-20] 2009 may also be the first year in over 30 years that the commentator will not be Terry Wogan as he has made it clear he does not like the current format of the contest's voting, but with juries coming back and a new format he has not yet officially announced what he intends to do. [cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2541326/Sir-Terry-Wogan-The-BBC-is-no-longer-the-best-broadcaster.html|title=Sir Terry Wogan: The BBC is no longer the best broadcaster|publisher="The Daily Telegraph"|author=Singh, Anita|date=2008-08-11|accessdate=2008-08-11] [cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12201|title=UK: Wogan to quit Eurovision role?|publisher="ESCToday"|author=Davies, Russell|date=2008-08-11|accessdate=2008-08-11]

election process

BBC has not yet decided on a selection process for 2009. Early rumors described a completely new format to select the British entry to Eurovision. British media reported that a new multi-week format would be introduced, where members of the public would be able to have the chance to represent the United Kingdom.cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12204|title=Graham Norton and a new selection show for UK|publisher="ESCToday"|author=Viniker, Barry|date=2008-08-14|accessdate=2008-08-14] The show would be hosted by Graham Norton, with Andrew Lloyd Webber acting as head judge. It was said to be similar in style to "Any Dream Will Do" and "I'd Do Anything", both also being fronted by Norton and Lloyd Webber. However, the winner would not go on to star in one of Lloyd Webber's musicals but would represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow. [cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12292|title=UK: X Factor style selection for Eurovision|last=Viniker|first=Barry |date=2008-09-17|publisher="ESCToday"|accessdate=2008-09-17] This format has since been confirmed by the BBC to be pure speculation. Furthermore, they have confirmed that no decision has yet been made on the format of the selection for the United Kingdom's entry into the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. [cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12347|title=UK: BBC still making their mind up!|last=Davies|first=Russell |date=2008-10-05|publisher="ESCToday"|accessdate=2008-10-08]

Though no decision on the process has been announced, several artists have expressed interest. Verka Serduchka, the 2007 Ukrainian entrant, along with Sam Phripp, a young singer/songwriter are hoping to represent the UK in 2009. [cite web |url=http://www.esctime.com/news/1014|title=United Kingdom: Verka Serduchka wants to go to Eurovision – again|publisher="ESCTime"|author=Toronidis, Theofilos|date=2008-07-01|accessdate=2008-07-29] As part of Channel 4's project, Yeardot, Phripp is in the process of writing, recording and submitting an entry to the BBC for consideration. [cite web|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3762|title=Channel 4 documents a UK Eurovision hopeful|last=Fisher|first=Luke|date=2008-07-04|publisher="Oikotimes"|accessdate=2008-10-08] [cite web|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3862|title=2009 hopeful Sam Phripp speaks to oikotimes.com|last=Rendall|first=Alasdair|date=2008-07-27|publisher="Oikotimes"|accessdate=2008-10-08]

At Eurovision

It is confirmed that the United Kingdom and other "Big Four" countries will automatically qualify to the final. [cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12281|title=Eurovision 'Big Four' final spots confirmed|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2008-09-14|publisher="ESCToday"|accessdate=2008-09-14]

ee also

*United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest
*Eurovision Song Contest 2009

References