Can Molly win Eurovision?
A LOT is resting on the shoulders of UK entrant Molly Smitten-Downes, but we’ve won five times before. Mike Ward looks back at our most memorable years
As Molly Smitten-Downes prepares to step out on stage at tonight’s Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Danish capital Copenhagen, singing our entry, Children Of The Universe, Mike Ward reflects on six major moments in UK Eurovision history and looks at what else hit the headlines in those years.
1957 Frankfurt Our Eurovision debut
UK entry: All, sung by Patricia Bredin
After we’d missed the deadline for the first Eurovision, held 12 months earlier in Lugano, Switzerland, the UK’s eventual appearance was something of an anticlimax, with
Hull-born actress and singer Patricia only managing seventh place out of 10.
Elsewhere in 1957
Harold Macmillan becomes prime minister.
Liverpool’s Cavern Club, made famous by the Beatles, opens.
The Sky At Night is first broadcast.
The Queen delivers her first televised Christmas message.
Bond novel From Russia With Love is published.
Scottish Television goes on air.
1967 Vienna Our first win
UK entry: Puppet On A String, sung by Sandie Shaw
She’s always insisted she hated the song, but the rest of Europe clearly didn’t. Despite a minor technical hiccup with her microphone, the famously barefooted Sandie delivered a performance that gave us one of the biggest margins of victory in Eurovision history.
Elsewhere in 1967
England’s World Cup-winning manager Alf Ramsey is knighted and Celtic become the first UK side to win the European Cup.
BBC2 drama The Forsyte Saga has the nation hooked.
Oil tanker the Torrey Canyon runs aground off Cornwall.
The Beatles release their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Sir Francis Chichester completes the first solo round-the-world yacht trip.
Colour TV begins on BBC2 and Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4 are launched.
The Queen launches the QE2.
1974 Brighton
We host a pivotal moment in pop history
UK entry: Long Live Love, sung by Olivia Newton John
While Olivia was having to settle for fourth place, an obscure bunch from Sweden, kitted out in glam rock gear and performing a song called Waterloo, were storming to a win that would turn them into a pop phenomenon.
Elsewhere in 1974
March’s general election sees Labour’s Harold Wilson oust Conservative leader Ted Heath to become prime minister. Wilson wins a second general election in October.
Bagpuss makes his kids’ TV debut on BBC1.
Manchester United are relegated from top flight English football.
Tom Baker takes over from Jon Pertwee in Doctor Who.
McDonald’s opens its first UK restaurant in Woolwich, London.
Lord Lucan disappears after killing his children’s nanny.
The BBC launches its Ceefax information service.
1981 Dublin
Our golden age ends
UK entry: Making Your Mind Up, sung by Bucks Fizz
It had been a fine run. Since Sandie Shaw’s 1967 triumph we’d scored two further victories, five runners-up spots and two third places. But after this cheesy four-piece’s cheeky triumph, with its famous ripping-off-the-skirt routine, the rot would set in.
Elsewhere in 1981
Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer.
The Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe, is caught.
Chariots Of Fire opens in cinemas.
London stages its first marathon.
Cancer survivor Bob Champion wins the Grand National on Aldaniti. The Derby is won by Shergar.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats is performed for the first time.
Rioting breaks out in cities across Britain.
1997 Dublin
Our brief resurgence
UK entry: Love Shine A Light, sung by Katrina and the Waves
What was this? Europe finally letting the UK win again – and with a song performed by an American? Maybe they thought Tony Blair’s election win 48 hours earlier, returning Labour to power after 18 years, deserved a musical celebration across the continent. Bless.
Elsewhere in 1997
Diana, Princess Of Wales, is fatally injured in a car crash in Paris.
Channel 5 launches.
BBC war reporter Martin Bell stands as an independent and wins the Tatton by-election.
Children’s show Teletubbies is born.
Stoke City, Derby County, Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland are among the football clubs moving to new stadia.
The Queen and Prince Philip toast their golden wedding anniversary.
Brazil refuses to extradite Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs.
2003 Riga
Our first ‘nil points’
UK entry: Cry Baby, sung by Jemini
An embarrassing all-time low, as this hapless duo’s tune-free performance failed to win a single vote, putting the once-proud UK at the bottom of the Euro-pile for the first time in history. We’ve since finished last on two further occasions, but never again without any points.
Elsewhere in 2003
London introduces the congestion charge.
Dirty Den rises from the dead in EastEnders, while Channel 4 axes Brookside.
England win the Rugby World Cup with a 20-17 victory over Australia.
Supersonic jet Concorde is retired from service.
Mick Jagger is knighted.
Iain Duncan Smith quits as Conservative leader.
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2014, TONIGHT, 8PM, BBC1