Photos : Bonnie Tyler, Sam Ryder, Sandie Shaw: Here's what former Eurovision UK contestants are doing now
Sandie Shaw represented the UK at the Eurovision in 1967. She won with her song Puppet on a String after having competed two times already.
Sandie Shaw's Eurovision song became a hit single in the UK, and she has since continued a singing career. She also joined Amnesty International to fight human rights abuse, and was been awarded an MBE for her services to music in 2017.
Only two years after Sandie Shaw, Lulu won the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK. However, the show ended in a four-way tie between the UK, France, Spain and the Netherlands—so all four countries won!
In 1974, Lulu had the honour of recording a Bond theme The Man with the Golden Gun. She is still singing today and appears on several television shows such as The Masked Singer in 2023.
Brotherhood of Man was the first band to win the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK. They performed Save Your Kisses for Me in The Hague.
The band has remained together throughout their lifelong careers. They announced they were retiring from touring in 2022 but stressed that they are still a band.
Bucks Fizz was the second British band to win the Eurovision in 1981. Following their victory, they became one of the best-selling bands in the UK, especially with their hit single Making Your Mind Up.
The band had a string of bad luck following their victory. They had a serious coach road accident following a concert in 1984, which injured everyone on board. One of the members still suffers from epileptic seizures and memory loss. The band eventually split up after several legal battles.
Katrina and the Waves were the last Eurovision winners for the UK to date. The band was already well-known for its hit single Walking on Sunshine, and enjoyed many votes from both the professional juries and the public.
The UK has not won the Eurovision for the last 30 years. In 1998, lead singer Katrina Leskanich quit the band. The other members eventually put an end to their journey together. Katrina has continued a solo career as far as 2023.
The Jemini duo act was made up of Gemma Abbey and Chris Comby. They represented the UK at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest but received nul points.
The duo did not survive their Eurovision participation. Gemma Abbey now owns her own makeup brand, and Chris Comby is the Head of Retail Operations at Ted Baker, according to their LinkedIn profiles.
British singer Javine originally wanted to join the band Girls Aloud but was not selected. Fortunately for her, she was chosen to represent the UK at the 2005 Eurovision and finished at the 22nd position.
The singer has remained in the public eye by releasing several songs and participating in some television shows such as Come Dine with Me in 2010, and Celebrity Masterchef in 2012.
Daz Sampson represented the UK in the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest with his song Teenage Life. He ended up in 19th place.
Since his participation in 2006, Daz Sampson has left the public eye. He is now a football manager.
The band Scooch sang an innuendo-laced song entitled Flying the Flag (For You) at the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest. They ended up in second-to-last place and their song was branded ‘rubbish’ by the British public.
The band remains close today. Two members, Caroline and Russ, began a relationship just one year after losing at Eurovision. Both aged 44, they are still together. The other two members, David and Natalie, went on to lead ‘normal’ lives. David works for a veterinarian and Natalie founded the Allstars Academy.
Jade Ewen represented the UK at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. Her song entitled It's My Time ended up in fifth place.
The singer later joined the band Sugarbabes and in 2016, she played Princess Jasmine in the West End production of Aladdin.
International star Bonnie Tyler represented the UK at the 2013 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Despite her well-established fame, she ended up in 19th place!
Her song Total Eclipse of the Heart remains a classic today, and the singer still performs to this day.
In 2016, British duo Joe and Jake represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest. Sadly, they ended up in 24th place with their song You're Not Alone.
Since their participation in the Eurovision, they have failed to release hit singles in the UK. The duo now leads normal lives, away from the public eye.
X-Factor participant Lucie Jones represented the UK at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. She ended up in 15th place.
Since her participation at the Eurovision, Lucie Jones has performed in several West End musicals. She currently plays the role of Fantine in Les Misérables.
James Newman was originally supposed to represent the UK at the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. However, the show was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. He participated in 2021 and ended in last place.
James Newman, the brother of singer John Newman, is still releasing music today.
Sam Ryder represented the UK at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest. His hit song Space Man earned him second place!
Sam Ryder has not stopped releasing music since his participation in the Eurovision. He released an album and is going on tour. He also performed at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Concert in 2022.
