Re: UNITED KINGDOM 2018
Afaik with Katie Melua was that she offered her song far too late, the NF plans etc were all well under way and there was no real way of going back to select it, but the BBC cocked up because they didn't get Petes song until right before the NF. I suppose they could have dropped it all, but I imagine they had already made agreements and spent money. With Hurts, the negotiations broke down because the BBC wanted an 'old legend' or a reality star to sing the song and not them, but Hurts refused as it is their song - and rightfully so. Also in 2012, Pixie Lott was in the running to be selected but the HoD vetoed her. IMO 2012 was a far bigger disaster for what the BBC did than in 2010. Although both were a total mess for the BBC. Also keep in mind our HoD and eurovision team changed in 2014, so who we have now is different from those years.
With Paloma Faith tbh I don't really believe she would do it if it came to it and she was asked. It was probably a case of "Oh yes, i'd love to!" just to get a lot of publicity for new single/album across the entire eurovision fan community.