UK's 'dismal' Eurovision song choices to be examined by MPs

The UK's "dismal" record in selecting songs and acts for Eurovision is to be scrutinised by MPs.

In May, Look Mum No Computer came last with one point. In 2023 Mae Muller finished second from bottom and in 2021 James Newman came last - this time with "nul points".

The act that represents the UK is selected by the BBC, sometimes with a record label or music management company.

The chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, said: "We want to get to the bottom of who chooses our entrant, on what basis and whether our dismal record of achievement in recent years [Sam Ryder to one side] is the result of bad song choice, weak performance... or something else".

It's expected that figures from the BBC, as well as music industry experts, will be called to give evidence to the committee of cross-party MPs at a hearing that will be held "over the coming months". The committee is also likely to receive relevant written submissions.

Although the UK has, over the years, produced some of the world's most successful artists, that kind of success has rarely been repeated at Eurovision .

Over the past 15 years, the UK has only come higher than 15th place on one occasion - when Sam Ryder came second with his song Space Man in 2022. He was beaten by Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra.

And next year's event, being held in Burgas in Bulgaria, will mark 30 years since the UK last won the contest, when Katrina and the Waves scored 227 points with their song Love Shine A Light.