Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Blue to represent UK in Eurovision song contest

Former manager of noughties boyband claims their selection is like 'Lewis Hamilton entering a go-kart race'

Britain's hopes for Eurovision 2011 will be pinned on a boyband from 2001. Blue will represent the UK in the annual kitschfest, performing I Can at the song contest in D�sseldorf, Germany.

"Blue are the perfect choice," said Katie Taylor, the BBC's head of entertainment and events. "We're enormously pleased to have found an act that not only meets but exceeds all the criteria for a great entry."

Blue formed in 2001, enjoying huge hits with their first three albums. Although the band split in 2005, they re-formed in 2009 and have reportedly recorded a new LP. In the lead-up to the Eurovision final on 14 May, the BBC will air a one-hour documentary showing Blue preparing for the contest.

"[Blue] will have to win," said Daniel Glatman, Blue's former manager, in an interview with Press Association. "Anything less and their reputation will be in tatters. It is the equivalent of Lewis Hamilton entering a go-kart race ? he will be the strong favourite but there is also the possibility he could lose. So why risk it? ... [It's] reckless insanity."

For last year's Eurovision in Oslo, Norway, the UK was represented by Josh Dubovie, who sang That Sounds Good to Me. Unfortunately, it didn't sound good to anybody else. Dubovie and his Pete Waterman-penned song finished last, with just 10 points. The winner was Germany's Lena Meyer-Landrut with Satellite.

The UK last won Eurovision in 1997 with Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves.

? This article has been amended. The original claimed that last year's Eurovision song contest was held in Moscow. This has been changed.


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