Eurovision – Your Decision
Belgrade beckons, but who will be singing in Serbia? It's time for Eurovision – Your Decision
It's time once again for the nation to decide who it will send to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest, this year in Belgrade.
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Eurovision veteran Terry Wogan will be joined by Claudia Winkleman to host the two-part contest Eurovision – Your Decision on 91Èȱ¬ One in March which will see six acts split into three categories going head-to-head.
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The line-up this year features:
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- Soloists
Chart-topping songstress Michelle Gayle who goes head-to-head with the X Factor's Andy Abraham, both hoping they have got what it takes to fly solo in this year's contest.
- Girl groups
Lively pop duo LoveShy compete with soulful Motown-influenced sensations The Revelations whilst aiming to strike a chord with the voting public.
- Joseph v Maria
Rob McVeigh and Simona Armstrong won the hearts of the British public as Joseph and Maria hopefuls, but which one will hit the right notes and get the votes this time around?
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This year the judging panel – which will be headed up by Terry – will have an even more important role.
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After each performance the panel of three judges will decide which act from each category will go through to the next round to compete for the public vote.
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If the other two judges cannot agree on which act should go through, Terry – with his expert knowledge on Eurovision – will have the deciding vote.
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The judges will also pick a wildcard to go through and all four acts will return for the second show.
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The two acts with the lowest public vote will immediately leave the competition and the remaining two will sing again for their chance to go to Belgrade for the 53rd annual sing-off.
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Eurovision – Your Decision will also feature a performance from Katrina, formerly of Katrina And The Waves, with a new remix of her 1997 Eurovision-winning hit Love Shine A Light.
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Terry Wogan said: "A turkey is one of the contenders for this year's Irish entry; for the past few years, we've been picking a turkey for the UK.
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"Let's hope that the British public will make the right decision this year and give the UK's entry a fighting chance against the Eastern Bloc in Belgrade in May."
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Claudia Winkleman said: "I'm very excited to be taking part this year. Standing next to Terry in a floor length sequin lime green outfit will top the evening for me. Plus, if we can choose a great act and then win in Belgrade then even better."
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Notes to Editors
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Andy Abraham
Song: Even If
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Former X Factor finalist Andy is currently writing his third album after winning over the nation with his soulful sound.
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His Eurovision entry, Even If, is a funky ballad about a man who has found genuine love and wants to show his commitment. Andy believes his song is catchy, memorable and cool enough to be a winner.
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LoveShy
Song: Mr Gorgeous
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Twenty-two-year-old Aimee Kearsley and 24-year-old Emma Beard are the lively popstrels that make up LoveShy. With five years' experience in the business as part of girl band Clea, they think a loud and catchy song is the way to win Eurovision.
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Their entry, Mr Gorgeous, is a stylish pop song about meeting the perfect guy and wanting to spend all your time with him. LoveShy say that Mr Gorgeous is less of a love song and more of a lust song!
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Michelle Gayle
Song: Woo (You Make Me)
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Michelle Gayle is probably best known for her role as Hattie Tavernier in 91Èȱ¬ One's EastEnders which helped launch her successful assault onto the British charts in the Nineties. Michelle has had a string of Top Ten UK hits including Sweetness, Do You Know and Things Are Looking Up.
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Michelle's song is pop in essence, but she says it has a very cool Sixties vibe to it. According to Michelle, the song is about a couple who are from different countries, so have a language barrier – they are literally lost in translation.
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Rob McVeigh
Song: I Owe It All To You
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Twenty-four-year-old Rob hit our screens last year as one of the final 12 Josephs in Any Dream Will Do. "Rob the Builder", as he became known, had no idea a year ago that he was about to be launched into a full-time career as a singer – let alone be up for representing the UK in Eurovision.
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Rob's song, I Owe It All to You, is a big ballad that Rob hopes will show his vulnerable side by being in such contrast to the rock songs he sang in Any Dream Will Do. Rob thinks that recent entries have lacked passion – something his has plenty of, for the song, his country and his love of performing.
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Simona Armstrong
Song: Changes
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Born and raised in Romania, Simona Armstrong was one of Lord Lloyd Webber's final ten from the hit 91Èȱ¬ One series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Sadly, Simona didn't make it as Maria but she is delighted to be taking part in Eurovision – the competition is taken very seriously in her native homeland.
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Simona's song Changes, she feels, has a universal appeal as it's about keeping positive and adapting to the challenges and changes of every day life. She hopes that if she makes it through to the competition in Belgrade this year that Romania will give the UK douze points!
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The Revelations
Song: It's You
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The Revelations consists of Annika Magnberg, 24, Louise Masters, 24, and Sarah Vitorino, 22. Their classic soulful pop music is influenced by Sixties girl groups such as The Supremes, along with more contemporary influences like the Scissor Sisters.
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The Revelations' song, It's You, is an upbeat and original modern Motown-style song celebrating love and how good it feels. The girls think It's You has all the right ingredients of a winning song because it's a good tune with fantastic harmonies.
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