United Kingdom UNITED KINGDOM 2025 - Remember Monday - What The Hell Just Happened?

[ESC United Mod Team]

 

[Leydan]

Apart from last year, it’s always been a slow build up and I personally dislike it as a fan, if they’re gonna wait til late in the pre-season to announce then more updates should be provided in my view

No i agree, it always feels so counter productive to me. The dead silence just allows rumours to build and fans to get certain expectations and form their own narrative. Then we're left disappointed when the actual entry doesn't fit that. Rina Sawayama and Mae Muller are the most extreme example of that but it's the case nearly every year.

 

[Ted Talks]

No i agree, it always feels so counter productive to me. The dead silence just allows rumours to build and fans to get certain expectations and form their own narrative. Then we're left disappointed when the actual entry doesn't fit that. Rina Sawayama and Mae Muller are the most extreme example of that but it's the case nearly every year.

I think 2023 is an example of fans getting so carried away though and to me generally a slower build up is for the better.

We’re invested most of the year as fans but I always look at the general viewer who only really cares 1) when the song/act is released (and possibly not even then) and 2) the night of the final (when they’ve most likely heard the song for the first time).

What goes on before that matters not to them - and that’s not a bad way to look at it really.

I don’t think the BBC should cater its hype machine/press to cater to the obsessive fans. In a way I think last year’s early announcement backfired long term for Olly and expectations.

If fans speculate to high heaven before the official announcement, so be it. That’s fans for you.

 

[HarryUK]

No i agree, it always feels so counter productive to me. The dead silence just allows rumours to build and fans to get certain expectations and form their own narrative. Then we're left disappointed when the actual entry doesn't fit that. Rina Sawayama and Mae Muller are the most extreme example of that but it's the case nearly every year.

Definitely. It’s even more gutting that Rina just didn’t respond in time too! She would have said yes supposedly… and after the last two years of Mae and Olly both needing therapy after the contest, I don’t think many labels would put their acts forward for fear of following the same trajectory.

I think 2023 is an example of fans getting so carried away though and to me generally a slower build up is for the better.

We’re invested most of the year as fans but I always look at the general viewer who only really cares 1) when the song/act is released (and possibly not even then) and 2) the night of the final (when they’ve most likely heard the song for the first time).

What goes on before that matters not to them - and that’s not a bad way to look at it really.

I don’t think the BBC should cater its hype machine/press to cater to the obsessive fans. In a way I think last year’s early announcement backfired long term for Olly and expectations.

If fans speculate to high heaven before the official announcement, so be it. That’s fans for you.

Equally, the BBC should take some responsibility for letting things get out of control in 2023 due to minimal news (as we’ve had this year so far). Eurovision in the UK has such a diehard following and is genuinely adored by millions of us, bringing in the highest TV audiences of the year, so they could at the very least be more transparent with the steps they take to select an act and provide fairly regular updates, or perhaps even a timeline.

 

[Ted Talks]

Definitely. It’s even more gutting that Rina just didn’t respond in time too! She would have said yes supposedly… and after the last two years of Mae and Olly both needing therapy after the contest, I don’t think many labels would put their acts forward for fear of following the same trajectory.


Equally, the BBC should take some responsibility for letting things get out of control in 2023 due to minimal news (as we’ve had this year so far). Eurovision in the UK has such a diehard following and is genuinely adored by millions of us, bringing in the highest TV audiences of the year, so they could at the very least be more transparent with the steps they take to select an act and provide fairly regular updates, or perhaps even a timeline.

I don’t think they need to take any responsibility at all for fans speculating wildly online. Fans will speculate regardless and if they get it wrong, that’s the fans fault - not the BBC’s.

It’s not as if that speculation made it into the mainstream press who then ‘confirmed’ Rina was happening.

If that had happened and if the BBC hadn’t acted in response to that, yes that would be wrong, but to respond for fans ‘confirming’ something among themselves? No. That’s not what they’re there for.

There’s a dedicated loyal following, yeah. But that doesn’t mean the BBC should bow down to them.

Again I’m probably taking a very different view to many here…

 

[HarryUK]

I don’t think they need to take any responsibility at all for fans speculating wildly online. Fans will speculate regardless and if they get it wrong, that’s the fans fault - not the BBC’s.

It’s not as if that speculation made it into the mainstream press who then ‘confirmed’ Rina was happening.

If that had happened and if the BBC hadn’t acted in response to that, yes that would be wrong, but to respond for fans ‘confirming’ something among themselves? No. That’s not what they’re there for.

There’s a dedicated loyal following, yeah. But that doesn’t mean the BBC should bow down to them.

Again I’m probably taking a very different view to many here…

They broadcast and “look after” Eurovision in the UK - they have a major responsibility to ensure that their artists are looked after - 2023’s initial Mae backlash was because everyone was convinced it was Rina (who was the BBC’s first choice, ironically) but she didn’t respond in time. They had weeks before they announced Mae and there was plenty of opportunity to quash the tsunami of online speculation which then turned rather nasty towards Mae in the end.

Broadcasters cannot evade the ethical responsibilities they have

 

[HarryUK]

Also why am I reading that Diane Morgan is our spokesperson this year and will be in character as Philomena Cunk?!

CUNK ON EUROVISION WHENNNNNNN?!

 

[Ted Talks]

They broadcast and “look after” Eurovision in the UK - they have a major responsibility to ensure that their artists are looked after - 2023’s initial Mae backlash was because everyone was convinced it was Rina (who was the BBC’s first choice, ironically) but she didn’t respond in time. They had weeks before they announced Mae and there was plenty of opportunity to quash the tsunami of online speculation which then turned rather nasty towards Mae in the end.

Broadcasters cannot evade the ethical responsibilities they have

‘Everyone’ being fans online - it’s really not that many people in the grand scheme of 10 million watching in May.

A bit of perspective is needed there if you ask me.

They look after the artist in house. Unless the speculation gets out of hand and press ‘confirmed’ Rina when it wasn’t her - there’s no need to act for the BBC imo.

And if they had acted and denied it was Rina, you can be sure as heck Mae would still have got abuse - as well as anyone else rumoured at the time.

Entitled fans are the quickest to turn vile.

 

[Ianp16]

I keep seeing Olly’s new album promo on Facebook, and that he’s literally doing a 3 date tour. I feel so bad for him.

 

[Ianp16]

I keep seeing Olly’s new album promo on Facebook, and that he’s literally doing a 3 date tour. I feel so bad for him.

I just had an imaginary fish and chip supper with Jane McDonald and she told me she had a big announcement to share on X (formally known as Twitter) soon. She then right before my eyes burst into a magnificent rendition of Conchita Wurst's Rise Like A Phoenix. Something must be brewing. Is this the year?

Watch on TikTok

Jane is amazing live and would eat up the whole venue and leave NO CRUMBS

 

[HarryUK]

Streets are saying we have a girlband represent us this year now….

SPICE GIRLS 30 REUNION I BEG

 

[Mainshow]

Streets are saying we have a girlband represent us this year now….

Girls Aloud, please.

I need Nadine Coyle to meet Melody.

 

[HarryUK]

Girls Aloud, please.

I need Nadine Coyle to meet Melody.

The Spice Girls are in their own league

 

[Ted Talks]

Well a girlband would be a change I suppose. It’s been a long while since we did anything involving more than just a soloist, so that’s something.

I would hope even if it is a pop girlband that they have a bit of an edge - and not just sugary sweet style pop which probably won’t work.

Does mean we are tripling/qualrupraling (or more) the chances of some dodgy vocals though.

 

[RainyWoods]

I want Sugababes. I'm only accepting Sugababes.

 

[Ianp16]

I literally have no hope for this year. It almost feels like we’re in a worse place than 10 years ago because now some ‘effort’ and an established act has entered and failed, we have even more of a mountain to climb. Just watching the national finals last night (Spain, Belgium, Slovenia) made me realise that some of the less impressive act still put a lot more creativity and effort into their performances than most of our last five entries (bar Sam).

 

[Mainshow]

I want Sugababes. I'm only accepting Sugababes.

They lost me when they left Heidi behind

 

[ESC94]

They lost me when they left Heidi behind

So you´re too lost into Heidi??

 

[Ted Talks]

I literally have no hope for this year. It almost feels like we’re in a worse place than 10 years ago because now some ‘effort’ and an established act has entered and failed, we have even more of a mountain to climb. Just watching the national finals last night (Spain, Belgium, Slovenia) made me realise that some of the less impressive act still put a lot more creativity and effort into their performances than most of our last five entries (bar Sam).

I’m really not sure we’re in a worse place than 2015 - the year of Electro Velvet. That is quite something to be back in those dark days - and we’re definitely not there…

Of course that could all change depending on the reveal of this year’s act!

Olly clearly didn’t work as well as hoped but I don’t think that comes down to him being a name. That’s part of the mindset problem that needs to change to me.

Doesn’t matter if they’re an established name or not, it’s having the right infrastructure around them that’s vital - the song obviously as well.

I think clearly the UK won’t move away from the pop genre (rightly or wrongly) so we’re always going to slightly hinder ourselves, but I’m more confident we can do something better now than 10 years ago for sure.

Even if the results were poor for Mae/Olly, I’d say the packages as a whole were far better than anything we sent a decade ago.

 

[RainyWoods]

They lost me when they left Heidi behind

They lost me when they kicked out Keisha, the last remaining original member, replacing her with Jade Ewen and then releasing that album that sounded pretty much nothing like Sugababes. Keisha and Mutya have such distinct voices that tied everything together. The first two lineups released godly pop songs. Even the third lineup had its gems. Sugababes 4.0 felt so wrong.

Heidi was a great member of the group, with her softer voice contrasting Keisha and Mutya's very nicely but I feel she kind of dug her own grave when she sided with her management to kick the founder of the group out. Heidi wasn't left behind. Sugababes 4.0 released one album, disbanded, then the original lineup had to fight for years and years just to be able to use their own name again. Sugababes lore is honestly quite crazy.

 

[HarryUK]

It does feel like every year (bar 2022) the BBC have had to be on the defence from day 1 of the reveal, as if they anticipated the negativity…. Why not do something different then!