Eurovision 2021 United Kingdom: Acts I’d Love to see represent Royaume-Uni

Eurovision for many countries is the beacon of the music industry. In Nordic countries and Eastern European nations: they send their big names ready to snatch every douze points they can.

In the UK however: this is most definitely not the case. Representing the United Kingdom is seen as a poison chalice, and a one way ticket to not cracking even the top 100.

As a whole Eurovision music in the UK, particularly in the past decade or so, has made little impact on the UK chart. The last entry to chart in the top 40 according to the Official UK Chart Company was in 2011, when Blue reached number 16. Last year’s entry from Michael Rice, which placed last, didn’t even chart.

Fans in the UK have been left disappointed by our choices year on year. We’ve had some exceptions, but generally we either experienced half-baked national finals with half-baked songs, or suffer from the seemingly stale choices from the BBC internal selection committee.

From Englebert Humperdink to Electro Velvet, Jemini to Josh Dubovie: we’ve experienced low quality entries and low placements for too now.

My wish list for our entry in 2021 tries to be realistic, so you won’t be seeing Adele, but you will see some fabulous options.

Sophie Ellis Bextor

UK pop and Disco legend Sophie Ellis Bextor is just so damn cool. Known for bangers such as ‘Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)’, ‘Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer’ and of course dancefloor filler ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’: her music would be a breath of fresh air to our otherwise stale charity shop radio ballads we send, and would get more than charity points from San Marino.

With the popularity of her kitchen disco sets on Instagram Live, resulting in a new greatest hits album, could the stars align for this queen?

Little Boots

Former Sound of 2009, Little Boots star has faded unfortunately since then. Her debut album ‘Hands’ is a pop gem, and her genre of music is something Eurovision would appreciate but would be something totally different: key ingredients to win the contest. Ms Boots has said on numerous occasions she would love to do Eurovision also, if the BBC would have her!

Fleur East

Not the first former X-Factor act on this list, and its certainly not unusual for the UK to enter a former X-Factor act to the contest (see underrated icon Lucie Jones, robbed of a top ten placing by the televote in 2017). Fleur's debut single ‘Sax’ fared well on the charts, but for some reason the UK lost their taste and let her down, with little follow up to be seen. Her energy, vocals and dance ability would certainly spice up our stale entries!

JLS

Another former X-Factor act, JLS recently reunited and were due to tour before Covid. A generally well liked and talented group, they could be a refreshing choice for the BBC, and if the song is as catchy as 'Heart Wont Beat Again' they would do very well.

Frock Destroyers

Made of Rupaul's Drag Race Season One Icons Baga Chipz, Divina De Campo and Blu Hydrangea, they took the world by storm with the gay-club classic ‘Break Up (Bye Bye)’. This isn’t the first time Eurovision and Frock Destroyers has been mentioned, there was even a petition to get them the Eurovision ticket!

The problem the UK has is that we play it too safe, and if there’s anything worse than bad at Eurovision, its being forgettable. These ladies certainly aren’t forgettable, and it would be a joy to see them work the crowd in Rotterdam!

Alcazar

Swedish pop group Alcazar have entered the Swedish selection Melodifestivalen more times than I’ve been to Pizza Hut buffet, and that’s a lot of if you know me (every other week pre-lockdown).

On many occasions such as 2009 with ‘Stay The Night’, they should’ve been sent to Eurovision.

Disco, sass and high energy dance moves: they turn the party. The BBC did ask them to be a part of thr UK National Selection in 2005, but they declined the offer. Keep pestering, BBC!

Surie

I just want her to have another go, she absolutely deserves it! After her performance was stage invaded as part of a protest against Brexit, she carried on with style and power, gaining new fans and being a stand out in the final of Eurovision 2018. Unfortunately this didn’t translate to points. C'mon BBC, give her a ticket to Rotterdam!

Who do you want to see? Who would change our fortunes?