Today the BBC announced that James Newman will return to represent them at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

James should have represented them in 2020 with One Last Breath. As a member of the big 5, James and the United Kingdom will proceed straight to the final on May 22, 2021.

The song that James will sing in 2021, has still to be announced. The BBC announced a renewed collaboration between BBC Studios and record company BMG; the latter will release and publish the United Kingdom’s entry.

After the announcement James said

I’m so excited and honoured to be getting a second chance at representing my country in the Eurovision Song Contest. I haven’t stopped making new music in lockdown and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the song I’m taking to Eurovision in 2021.

United Kingdom In The Eurovision Song Contest

Lets 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 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.