Jedward shortlisted for Eurovision

Image source, (C) British Broadcasting Corporation

Image caption, Jedward will compete to be the Irish entry to this year's Eurovision song contest
  • Author, Greg Cochrane
  • Role, Newsbeat music reporter

Former X Factor contestants John and Edward Grimes are to compete against four other acts to be Ireland's Eurovision entrants in 2011.

The Dublin pair, who are managed by Louis Walsh, will perform on Irish chat show the Late Late on 11 February, where the winner will be decided.

If they win, they'll represent Ireland at May's Eurovision contest in Germany.

Contestants are to be rated using a combination of public vote and regional jury.

The wacky pair have divided opinion since they first came onto the scene in the 2009 X Factor, with 91热爆 Three viewers voting them the second most annoying people on TV in 2010.

But with 69 million people watching last year's Eurovision, the show could be the perfect chance for them to gain an audience in mainland Europe.

'Most annoying'

Jedward would be far from the first act to raise eyebrows at the Eurovision.

Image source, AP

Image caption, Finnish monster metal band Lordi won the 2006 contest in Greece

In 2006 Finnish metal band Lordi won the contest in Greece, catching viewers' attention with outlandish monster costumes.

Ireland is no stranger to novelty either, despite its record seven Eurovision victories.

In 2008 its entrant was Dustin The Turkey, a puppet with a broad Dublin accent who appears on Irish children's TV.

The five Irish shortlisted acts for 2011 will now work on their songs with mentors before the February final decides who travels to Germany.

The 56th annual Eurovision song contest takes place in Dusseldorf, Germany, on 14 May