For the first time since 2011, the UK are having a National Final.
Since we first heard that the UK would be having a National Final, we know some more information. We know that there are 45 OGAE members that make up the selection panel for the open auditions. Members are randomly chosen to ensure this is a fare process. This group of 45 are split into 5 groups of 9 to further whittle down the acts that have made it this far in the selection process. BASCA (British academy of Songwriters, Composers and Artists) and the BBC are also involved in the selection process along with OGAE UK.
2 deadlines have now passed, and no further information has been released as to who has been short listed, but some people have already been speculating about who they would like to see in the running.
The Saturdays: This UK based all girl group consisting of Frankie Bridge, Rochelle Humes, Vanessa White, Mollie King and Una Foden are already well established in the UK and all over Europe. Currently Rochelle has a presenting job and Una is a judge on The Voice Ireland. Maybe should use her Irish expertise with her band mates and come up with a winning formula. I think the Saturdays would be well suited to the Eurovision lime light.
Pixie Lott: Pixie is a UK based solo female singer, having graduated from the famous performing arts school Italia Conti in London, she has gone on to have a successful singing career, and has gained numerous awards including 2 MTV Europe Music awards. Pixie has performed all over the UK, Ireland and Europe and has a huge world wide following. Having studied at Italia Conti, I think she would be able to handle the limelight at Eurovision really well.
Heather Peace: Heather is a Brighton based singer/songwriter/actress. She is also in the same group of people as Conchita and Dana International, being LGBT. I think someone being an LGBT Icon and representing us at Eurovision would show a lot to Europe, the main thing it would show is that we are inclusive of people submitting entries no matter what their background. I have seen Heather live twice, in small venues, but I dont think her and her band, consisting of Charlotte Ridley and Michael Clancy would be fased by the Eurovision experience.
These are my top 3 picks who I would like to see for the UK. Don’t forget to comment who else you would like to see for the UK. This article will be updated regularly until the contest in May.
David Mann
January 4, 2016 at 17:24
I dont think you’ll find that anybody at the BBC has actually ever said there will be a 2016 National Final as such.