With the date of 27th January for the British selection fast approaching, we though it was time for an update in regards to the information that has become known so far about the show.
Contents
The venue and broadcasting channel
Eurovision: You Decide will take place at London’s Eventim (Hammersmith) Apollo. It will be 90 minutes long and be broadcast on BBC2. This will mark a return to one of the two ‘major’ BBC channels, as opposed to recent years when the British entry was announced on the broadcaster’s Red Button service or, as was the case last year, the British selection being broadcast on the ‘thematic’ BBC4.
The competing entries
Submission for entries opened on 6th October 2016. Like last year, the BBC invited representatives from Eurovision fan club OGAE UK to evaluate and shortlist the songs submitted. The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) was also called in to seek talent from within the British music industry.
Rumours that have surfaced online mention Eurovision 2013 winner Emmelie de Forest as well as acclaimed singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé being involved in Eurovision: You Decide. De Forest in particular is thought to have collaborated in the creation of one of the competing entries. Though, given the similarity of their names, it is likely that there has been a mix up. These rumours should thus be treated with caution.
On the night, there will be six shortlisted songs competing for a chance to represent the UK in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv. These will be announced beforehand on Ken Bruce’s Radio 2 show on Monday 23rd January (the show is broadcast on weekdays at 09:30 GMT) as well as on the BBC Eurovision page.
The voting
The result will be determined by a combination of public vote (televoting and online) and the vote of a professional jury. A panel of experts will be present to share their views on the competing acts during the show and thus provide guidance for the people at home. The expert panel will also provide an insight into the potential of each entry to be revamped and staged successfully in Kyiv.
Guest performances
As we reported last month, Eurovision 2009 winner Alexander Rybak has been announced as one of the guest performers on the night.
The presenter
Just like last year, Mel Giedroyc will be back to present Eurovision: You Decide. Mel is a household name in the UK. Having co-presented all seven series of exceptionally successful The Great British Bake Off, she is currently co-presenting Let It Shine, a talent show to find the cast for Gary Barlow’s upcoming stage musical The Band. It is worth mentioning that Mel’s fellow presenter is the popular presenter and BBC commentator for Eurovision, Graham Norton.
A self-confessed Eurovision fan herself, Mel Giedroyc sounded enthusiastic about the upcoming Eurovision You Decide Show:
I am positively giddy for Eurovision 2017 and chuffed that Eurovision: You Decide is back! I’ve been hearing great things about the standard of the songs this year and I just wish January would hurry up so that I can hear the songs and meet the performers! We’ve got an even bigger venue, exciting guest performers and a brilliant expert panel. It’s going to be great.
Eurovision: You Decide will be broadcast on Friday 27th January at 19:30 GMT on BBC2.
In the following video, you can watch last year’s Eurovision: You Decide winners, pop duo Joe and Jake, performing the 2016 British entry You’re Not Alone in Stockholm.
