The History of Eurovision
1956
First Eurovision takes place on a Thursday night in Lugano, Switzerland. Seven countries participate, with two songs/performers per country. Lys Assia from Switzerland wins with "Refrain", beating Belgium's marginally less cheerful "The Drowned Men Of The River Seine".
1957
And here comes the UK for the first time - plucky Patricia Bredin treks to Frankfurt-Am-Maine to sing "All", which lasts less than two minutes. She finishes seventh out of ten, overwhelmed by the 4' 30" of the winning Dutch song by Corry Brokken.
1958
The UK doesn't compete. Third placed out of ten is Italian singer Domenico Modugno, with "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu". Re-recorded in English as "Volare", this becomes the first Eurovision-related song to make the British charts. Winner was Andre Claveau of France, with "Sleep, My Love".
1959
The UK is back back back, with the classic teaming of Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson performing "Sing Little Birdie". They come a close second to the Netherlands' "Een Beetje", beating France's "Oui Oui Oui Oui" into third by a single point. Clearly, the Eurovision lyric is already establishing itself.
1960
Eurovision comes to Britain for the first time! The magnificent Katie Boyle (aka Lady Saunders, nee Imperiali dei Principi di Francavilla) makes her debut as announcer. Radio 2's own David Jacobs commentates. "Looking High High High" takes the UK into second place behind France. It's sung by Bryan Johnson, who is Teddy's brother (see 1959), rather than the Brian Johnson who later sang with Geordie and AC/DC.
1961
The Allisons, Britain's answer to the Everly Brothers, take the UK into second again, out of 16 nations taking part in Cannes. They sing "Are You Sure?", one of their own songs. The French entry boasted the classic Euro chorus, "Binge bong, binge bong."
1962
The UK entrant in Luxembourg is Millicent Martin's husband, Ronald Cleghorn, better known as Ronnie Carroll, with "Ring A Ding Girl". He comes fourth. Belgium scored the first ever 'nul points'.
1963
Eurovision returns to London. Katie Boyle and David Jacobs are back! So is Ronald Cleghorn, again condemned to fourth, with "Say Wonderful Things". Greek chanteuse Nana Mouskouri represents Luxembourg, French popstar Francoise Hardy sings for Monaco. Norway scores nul points for the first time. The interval entertainment is a Swedish trick cycling act.
1964
Matt Monro gives the UK another second with "I Love The Little Things" (not that we're competitive). He later has a big hit with "Walk Away", a reworked version of this year's Austrian entry.
1965
To Naples, with Kathy Kirby and "I Belong". Second again, for the fifth time in eight years. Luxembourg wins, with a song by Frenchman Serge Gainsbourg, sung by 17 year-old France Gall. Who is also French.
1966
Kenneth McKellar wears his kilt to sing "A Man Without Love". The title proves apt as only two out of the other 17 countries bother voting for him.
1967
Vicky Leandros makes her first appearance for Luxembourg, singing the future classic "L'Amour Est Bleu" - "Love Is Blue". But it's Sandie Shaw's night in Vienna, as her barefoot rendition of "Puppet On A String" gives the UK its first victory. Rolf Harris commentates. Does something make us think the BBC isn't taking Eurovision too seriously?
1968
Cliff Richard is robbed of rightful victory in the Royal Albert Hall by Spain's "La La La", which sets a dangerous precedent by using the word "la" 138 times. "Congratulations" is second by one point. The Irish entry is sung by Pat McGeegan, the father of boxer Barry McGuigan.
1969
"Boom Bang A Bang" went Lulu, bringing the UK a second victory. It is marred only by having to share first place with three other countries in a four way tie. Lulu's song was chosen to represent the UK over an early song from Elton John and Bernie Taupin, among others.
1970
Dana gives Ireland its first victory with "All Kinds Of Everything". Mary Hopkin runs her a fairly close second, trouncing a svelte Spaniard named Julio Iglesias into a distant fourth.
1971
Clodagh Rogers is our jolly "Jack In The Box", springing into a credible fourth place out of 18. One T Wogan takes on the BBC radio commentary; his colleague on BBC TV is the Hairy Cornflake, Dave Lee Travis.
1972
Having forgotten Kenneth McKellar's kilt, Eurovision decides to visit Scotland. The New Seekers represent the UK, with "Beg Steal, Or Borrow", but come second to a Greek girl, living in Germany, but singing for Luxembourg - Vicky Leandros.
1973
Cliff Richard returns, wishing "Power To All Our Friends". And not enough to himself, apparently, as he only manages third place. Terry Wogan does his first TV commentary. Abba failed the Swedish national selection process with "Ring Ring".
1974
Eurovision occupies Brighton. Katie Boyle makes her fourth appearance (with nothing on beneath her tight dress, she now admits), and Terry's back on the radio. The French withdraw, to mark the death of President Georges Pompidou, clearing the way for Abba's epochal "Waterloo". The UK's Olivia Newton-John struggles into fourth. The Portuguese entry is the (unwitting) signal for a military coup.
1975
"Let Me Be The One" sing The Shadows. No, said the international juries, casting them into second behind "Ding Dinge Dong", the Dutch entry, from Teach-In. Don't try to remember the words - that way madness lies.
1976
Michael Aspel takes the TV mike in The Hague. The UK records a third Eurovision victory with Brotherhood Of Man's chart-topping "Save Your Kisses For Me".
1977
Wembley Conference Centre becomes the sixth UK venue for Eurovision. Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran avoid "Rock Bottom", finishing second instead, behind France's "L'Oiseau Et L'Enfant". Ronnie Hazlehurst conducted the UK entry using an umbrella.
1978
Nul points for Norway again, as the UK's Co-Co finish 11th. Israel's Izhar Cohen runs away with the contest thanks to his memorable little ditty "A-ba-ni-bi".
1979
BBC Radio 1 gives up on Eurovision, leaving Radio 2 with exclusive audio coverage in the UK. Israel retains the Eurovision prize in Jerusalem, overcoming even Austria's percipiently titled "Heute In Jerusalem". The mighty Black Lace launch their career with the seventh-placed "Mary Ann". Curiously, other songs include tributes to "Socrates" (Greece), "Dschingis Khan" (Germany), and possibly Ms Mouskouri - "Hey Nana" (Belgium).
1980
A new decade, but "What's Another Year?" says Johnny Logan, giving Ireland victory in The Hague. Wogan claims TV commentary, and hasn't relinquished it yet. Does anyone remember UK entrants Prima Donna, who actually came a creditable third?
1981
Bucks Fizz take Eurovision in Dublin, four points ahead of the German entry. The skirt-rippingly great "Making Your Mind Up" also tops the charts for three weeks. Norway completes the nul points hat-trick.
1982
Jan Leeming is hostess from sunny Harrogate, as Germany go one better than previous year with Nicole's "A Little Peace". The song - shrewdly recorded in six languages - tops charts all over Europe. Bardo finish seventh for the UK.
1983
Luxembourg's decision to enter 'a trained singer', Corinne Hermes, pays off as they win in Munich ahead of Israel's Ofra Haza. These are not great times for Eurovision.
1984
Controversy in Luxembourg as UK entrant Belle & The Devotions are met with a chorus of boos at the end of their set - either as a result of their miming, or as a reaction against currently fashionable British soccer hooliganism. They finish seventh. Sweden's Herreys pip Ireland for top spot with "Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley" - our Terry's least favourite Euro anthem.
1985
Vikki's "Love Is" achieves an unmemorable fourth for the UK. Norway actually win the Contest with Bobbysocks and "Let It Swing". The triumph is overshadowed when presenter Lill Lindfors 'loses' her skirt in the second half of the show.
1986
Eurovision goes teen in Norway as 13 year old Sandra Kim storms to victory for Belgium with "J'Aime La Vie". UK entrants Ryder feature the son of actor Bill Maynard. They came seventh. Presenter is the Norwegian Minister Of Culture, who'd actually come third in 1966.
1987
Ireland's Johnny Logan becomes the first artiste to win Eurovision twice. It's unlucky 13th for UK's Rikki, though. Presenter Viktor Lazio's loud selection of earrings steals the show, even though Plastic ("Ca Plane Pour Moi") Bertrand turns out for Luxembourg.
1988
French-Canadian Celine Dion (yes, THAT Celine Dion) triumphs for Switzerland. But she's only one point ahead of the UK's Scott Fitzgerald (no, not THAT Scott Fitzgerald). Ken Bruce takes on the BBC radio role.
1989
Another second placing for the UK with Live Report, this time to Yugoslavia's Riva.
1990
UK entrant Emma wants to "Give A Little Love Back To The World"; unfortunately the world doesn't want it. She comes sixth as Italy wins in Zagreb.
1991
Sweden tied with France, claiming victory for more second places. Seventeen year old Samantha Janus delivers "A Message To Your Heart". The Eurovision judges remain unmoved, and she finishes joint tenth. Samantha now refers to Eurovision as one of the worst experiences of her career.
1992
Ireland's Linda Martin - with a Johnny Logan (him again) song - beats UK's Michael Ball for top spot in Malmo. Michael is later quoted as saying he'd rather have drawing pins stuck in his eyes than take part in Eurovision again.
1993
Eurovision welcomes eastern Europe, but it's business as usual on the voting front, as Ireland's Niamh Kavanagh wins ahead of UK entrant, Sonia. Our Scouse diva wins the chart battle, though. Rumours of organised political voting abound backstage at the converted showjumping arena in Ireland.
1994
The third Irish Eurovision success in a row, and sixth in total. For the UK, Frances Ruffelle warbles "We Will Be Free (Lonely Symphony)", coming a lonely tenth. Interval act is an as-yet unknown 'Riverdance'.
1995
Germany appear to capture the spirit of Eurovision with "Verliebt In Dich" by husband and wife duo Stone & Stone. It finishes last. Norway wins a second time, and UK's Love City Groove (chosen by Jonathan King) are joint tenth.
1996
The charming Australian expat Gina G goes "Ooh Aah Just A Little Bit". But only enough to take her to eighth, despite topping the British charts. Ireland decides one year without the Eurovision crown is enough, and wins comfortably. Peter Gronvall, son of Abba's Benny Andersson appears for Sweden. Morten Harket of A-Ha co-presents in Oslo.
1997
Norway set a nul points record, while Katrina & The Waves set a total points record, as the UK storm to glory. Boyzone's Ronan Keating is co-presenter in Dublin.
1998
Dana International takes Eurovision for Israel. Her glamorous looks, dress, and status as a former man dent that nation's reputation for conservatism. BBC executives were heard to utter a sigh of relief when our own Imaani came a creditable second. Staging the Eurovision Song Contest is an expensive business, you know...
1999
Heads of Delegation sigh with relief at the thought of going to a warm country. A week in Israel is a welcome reward after touring Europe for years. The UK entry is a girl group called Precious with the song 'Say It Again' written by Paul Varney. But one Contest in the sun is enough and Sweden win with 'Take Me To Your Heaven' sung by Charlotte Nilsson.
2000
Heaven turns out to be Stockholm in Sweden. Nicki French is chosen for the UK with 'Don't Play That Song Again'. Before Eurovision, Nicki was best known in the UK for her massive 1995 worldwide hit single 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart'. Unfortunately the song's title rings true and the UK comes a disappointing sixteenth. A couple of Danish crooners called The Olsen Brothers win when they 'Fly On The Wings Of Love'.
2001
Denmark plays host to the biggest ever contest with 38,000 people packing Copenhagen's Parken Stadium. A plucky 16 year old from Sheffield, Lindsay Dracass, performs for the UK with 'No Dream Impossible' but unfortunately only 28 points come her way. Estonia win with the song 'Everybody' performed by Tanel Padar and Dave Benton amassing 198 points in the process. By the way, Dave is not Estonian, in fact he was born and raised on the Caribbean island of Aruba.
2002
Estonia is host and there's nothing stinking about Jessica Garlick's performance. The ex-Pop Idol contestant performs the song 'Come Back' written by an airline pilot from Birmingham. After some very disappointing low places in the previous couple of years, Jessica lands a very respectable 3rd place for the UK with a brilliant performance and stunning outfit. The winning song 'I Wanna' sung by Marija Naumova excels with 176 points, meaning the mantle of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest is passed to another Baltic country for 2003 - Latvia. Terry's also heard singing 'I Wanna' but adding 'drink!' to the end in his own inimitable style.
2003
Jemini become the shame of the nation as they manage to pull in nil points for the UK. Some people blame lack of rehearsals. Others blame lack of talent. There are also rumours of poor equipment. Whatever the reasons, the less said about Eurovision 2003 the better.
2004
The 2004 Eurovision Song Contest was the first contest that lasted two nights. The EBU decided to change the showformat this way so every interrested country could participate. On wednesday 24 countries competed for 10 spots in the final for which 14 countries (the big four and the top 10 of 2003) directly qualified.Former fame academy student James Fox does the UK proud in Istanbul with 'Hold on to our Love' but there is no relent on the nations bad luck. Hopes of winning fade as neighbouring countries rush to give each other douze points. The Ukraine stomps to victory with Ruslana's 'Wild Dance' which is deemed too frightening for children and small animals.
2005
Javine Hylton manages to stay in her tiny crystal-encrusted dress for the duration of her performance (and thus not repeating her Janet-moment of 'Making Your Mind Up'), but the song impresses less than the gems. Helena Paparizou wins for Greece with 'My Number One'.
2006
The Olympic complex in Athens sees what could be the most surprising win in Eurovision history. Finnish horror rockers Lordi take the crown with a massive 292 points and call it ‘a victory for open-mindedness’. But despite high hopes for UK entry Daz,Teenage Life limps in at 19th place.
2007
The outcome of the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest caused commotion in Western Europe, where audience and media critisized the credibility of the results. The results were even brought up in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Swedish paper Expressen wrote about feeling "shame" over the reactions in many Western European countries, and claimed that "the Eurovision Song Contest had never been better" and calling the Serbian winner a "worthy, historic winner."