Today, James Newman and the BBC released the song that will represent The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. The song is called ‘Embers’. After a leak of the song this morning, the video is now out.

Embrers made its official debut on the Ken Bruce, Radio 2 show a short while ago. Unfortunately, just like last year, the song had already been leaked when that happened. The video however, that didn’t leak before its release.

James should have represented the United Kingdom last year with the song One Last Breath. While most other 2020 artists that got reassigned to the 2021 contest, he had to wait until the 19th of February 2021 until the BBC announced he would return to represent the United Kingdom again, this year.

As a member of the Big Five, the United Kingdom will head straight to the Eurovision final, to be held from Rotterdam, The Netherlands on the 22 May 2021 Does the song have that extra thing which will bring the country a good result this year? Listen to the song in the embedded video and judge for yourself. Below the video, you can read more about James.

James was born on 19 October 1985 in Yorkshire, U.K. He has a younger brother, John, well known for the number one hit Love Me Again. In 2014, the group, Rudimental released the song, Waiting All Night, which won a Brit award for single of the year, for James, as a co-writer. James also worked with Calvin Harris.

In the Netherlands, James was the featured vocalist on Therapy by Armin van Buuren. Last year James should have represented the United Kingdom at Eurovision with One Last Breathe. After the contest was cancelled he released the song the EP The Things We Do which included his 2020 should-have-been entry.

United Kingdom In The Eurovision Song Contest

Let’s take a look at the history of the United Kingdom at Eurovision, throughout the years.

Fifties: The United Kingdom first entered the contest in 1957, placing 7th with All by Patricia Bredin. Two years later, Sing Little Birdie placed 2nd for Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson.

Sixties: Sandie Shaw gave the country its first win in 1967 with Puppet On A String. Prior to that, they placed 2nd four times and then did it for the fifth time in the decade in 1968 with Cliff Richard and Congratulations. They ended the decade by placing first equal, with Lulu and Boom Bang A Bang.

Seventies: United Kingdom placed second, four times with Mary Hopkin, The New Seekers, The Shadows, and Lynsey De Paul and Mike Moran. They won in 1976 with Save Your Kisses For Me by Brotherhood Of Man, but in 1978 they finished outside the Top 10 for the first time with Co-Co and Bad Old Days.

Eighties: Bucks Fizz gave the U.K it’s 4th win in 1981 with Making Your Mind Up. In 1987 Rikki became the countries the poorest scorer, by placing 13th in 1987 with Only The Light. They recovered in the following two years, by placing second with Scott Fitzgerald and Go and Live Report with Why Do I Always Get It Wrong.

Nineties: Michael Ball, Sonia and Imaani increased the U.K’s second place tally to fifteen in 1992, 1993 and 1998, with One Step Out Of Time, Better The Devil You Know and Where Are You Katrina and The Waves with Love Shine A Light placed first in 1997 – the last win to date.

Noughties: In 2002, Jessica Garlick placed 3rd with Come Back. The following year, though, Jemini, received zero points for Cry Baby the first and so far only time the United Kingdom, ended empty-handed. However, in 2008, Andy Abraham finished last with Even If.

Tens: The United Kingdom opened and closed the decade by finishing in last place with Josh Dubovie and That’s Sounds Good To Me, and Michael Rice with Bigger Than Us. Despite all those winners and runner ups from the past, the best the country could do this decade, was an 11th place with I Can by Blue.