United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004

United Kingdom in the
Eurovision Song Contest 2004

Eurovision Song Contest 2004
Participating broadcaster| British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Country|  United Kingdom
Selection process| Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up 2004
Selection date| 28 February 2004
Competing entry
Song| "Hold Onto Our Love"
Artist| James Fox
Songwriters|

* Gary Miller
* Tim Woodcock

Placement
Final result| 16th, 29 points
Participation chronology
| ◄2003 • | 2004 | • 2005►

|
|

The United Kingdom was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Hold Onto Our Love", written by Gary Miller and Tim Woodcock, and performed by James Fox. The British participating broadcaster, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), organised a public selection process to determine its entry for the contest, Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up 2004. Six acts competed in the national final and the winner was selected entirely through a public vote.

As a member of the "Big Four", the United Kingdom automatically qualified to compete in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Performing in position 20, the United Kingdom placed 16th out of the 24 participating countries with 29 points.

## Background

[edit]

Main article: United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2004 contest, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing the United Kingdom forty-six times.[1] Thus far, it has won the contest five times: in 1967 with the song "Puppet on a String" performed by Sandie Shaw, in 1969 with the song "Boom Bang-a-Bang" performed by Lulu, in 1976 with "Save Your Kisses for Me" performed by Brotherhood of Man, in 1981 with the song "Making Your Mind Up" performed by Bucks Fizz, and in 1997 with the song "Love Shine a Light" performed by Katrina and the Waves. To this point, the nation is noted for having finished as the runner-up in a record fifteen contests. Up to and including 1998, it had only twice finished outside the top 10, in 1978 and in 1987. Since 1999, the year in which the rule was abandoned that songs must be performed in one of the official languages of the country participating, it has had less success, thus far only finishing within the top ten once: in 2002 with the song "Come Back" performed by Jessica Garlick. In 2003, "Cry Baby" performed by Jemini finished in twenty-sixth (last) place out of twenty-six competing entries.

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, the BBC organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster announced that it would participate in the 2004 contest on 8 November 2003.[2] BBC has traditionally organised a national final featuring a competition among several artists and songs to choose its entry for Eurovision. For its 2004 entry, the broadcaster announced that a new primetime national final involving a public vote would be held to select its entry, replacing the traditional A Song for Europe show more recently aired in a Sunday afternoon timeslot on BBC One.[2]

## Before Eurovision

[edit]

### Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up 2004

[edit]

Main article: UK national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest

Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up 2004 was the national final developed by the BBC in order to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. Six acts competed in a televised show on 28 February 2004 held at the BBC Television Centre in London and hosted by Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin. The winner was selected entirely through a public vote. The show was broadcast on BBC One.[3] The national final was watched by 7.2 million viewers in the United Kingdom.[4]

#### Competing entries

[edit]

The BBC collaborated with record label Sony Music and an independent music expert to select five finalists to compete in the national final. Entries were provided to Sony Music and the BBC by music industry experts including writers and producers, and the songwriters behind the five selected songs were: Andy McCluskey and Stuart Kershaw, Brian Higgins and Stuart McLennan, Brian Rawling, Gary Barlow and Pam Sheyne. A sixth finalist, "It Just Gets Better" performed by Madison Taylor, was provided by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) which ran a songwriting competition amongst its members.[5][6][7] The six artists were announced on 3 February 2004, while the competing songs were premiered during the BBC One television programme Top of the Pops, hosted by Tim Kash, on 13 February 2004.[8][9]

#### Final

[edit]

Six acts competed in the televised final on 28 February 2004. In addition to their performances, guest performers included previous Eurovision winner Sertab Erener, who won the contest for Turkey in 2003 with the song "Everyway That I Can", and Emma Bunton, performing her song "Maybe" and the winning song for the United Kingdom in 1967 "Puppet on a String".

A panel of experts provided feedback regarding the songs during the show. The panel consisted of Lorraine Kelly (journalist and television presenter), Harry Hill (comedian, writer, and television presenter) and Carrie Grant (member of Sweet Dreams who represented the United Kingdom in 1983, vocal coach and television presenter). A public vote consisting of televoting via phone and SMS as well as interactive voting via the red button, which registered more than 200,000 votes, selected the winner.[5] Televotes via phone calls were divided into seven regions in the United Kingdom with each region awarding points as follows: 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 points. Televotes via SMS were combined with the interactive votes and converted to points based on the percentage each song achieved. For example, if a song gained 10% of the SMS and interactive votes, then that entry would be awarded 10 points. The spokesperson announcing the SMS/interactive votes was Lorraine Kelly.[10] After both sets of points were combined, "Hold Onto Our Love" performed by James Fox was the winner.[11] "Hold Onto Our Love" received 45% of the total votes.[12]

Draw  | Artist  | Song  | Public vote  | Place

|
|
|
|

Phone  | SMS and
Interactive  | Total
1  | Enrap-ture  | "Weekend (Gotta Work)"  | 28  | 9  | 37  | 4
2  | James Fox | "Hold Onto Our Love"  | 80  | 40  | 120  | 1
3  | Haifa  | "Me Without You"  | 4  | 5  | 9  | 6
4  | Hyrise  | "Leading Me On"  | 58  | 24  | 82  | 2
5  | Haydon  | "With You I Believe"  | 10  | 7  | 17  | 5
6  | Madison Taylor  | "It Just Gets Better"  | 44  | 15  | 59  | 3
Detailed Regional Televoting Results  Draw  | Song  |

Northern Ireland

Northern England

Scotland

Wales

South West England

Midlands

South East England

| Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | "Weekend (Gotta Work)"  | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 28
2  | "Hold Onto Our Love"  | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 80
3  | "Me Without You"  |  |  |  |  | 2 | 2 |  | 4
4  | "Leading Me On"  | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 58
5  | "With You I Believe"  | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |  |  | 2 | 10
6  | "It Just Gets Better"  | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 44
Spokespersons

* Northern Ireland - Malachi Cush
* Northern England - Sonia
* Scotland - Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan
* Wales - Colin Jackson
* South West England - Sharron Davies
* Midlands - Hayley Evetts
* South East England - Fearne Cotton

##### 12 points

[edit]

N.  | Song  | Regions giving 12 points

|
|

6  | "Hold Onto Our Love" | Northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South West England, South East England, Wales
1  | "Leading Me On"  | Midlands

## At Eurovision

[edit]

The Eurovision Song Contest 2004 took place at the Abdi İpekçi Arena in Istanbul, Turkey

It was announced that the competition's format would be expanded to include a semi-final in 2004. According to the rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country, the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and the ten highest placed finishers in the 2003 contest are required to qualify from the semi-final in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from the semi-final progress to the final. As a member of the "Big Four", the United Kingdom automatically qualified to compete in the final on 15 May 2004. In addition to their participation in the final, the United Kingdom also broadcast and voted in the semi-final on 12 May 2004. During the running order draw for the semi-final and final, the United Kingdom was placed to perform in position 20 in the final, following the entry from Poland and before the entry from Cyprus. The United Kingdom placed sixteenth in the final, scoring 29 points.[13][14]

In the United Kingdom, the semi-final was broadcast on BBC Three with commentary by Paddy O'Connell, while the final was televised on BBC One with commentary by Terry Wogan and broadcast on BBC Radio 2 with commentary by Ken Bruce. The BBC appointed Lorraine Kelly as its spokesperson to announce the results of the British televote during the final.

### Voting

[edit]

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to the United Kingdom and awarded by the United Kingdom in the semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Greece in the semi-final and the final of the contest. Following the release of the televoting figures by the EBU after the conclusion of the competition, it was revealed that a total of 451,996 televotes were cast in the United Kingdom during the two shows: 415,558 votes in the final and 36,438 votes in the semi-final.[15]

#### Points awarded to the United Kingdom

[edit]

Points awarded to the United Kingdom (Final)[16] Score  | Country

|

12 points  |
10 points  |
8 points  |  Ireland
7 points  |
6 points  |
5 points  |
4 points  |

* Estonia
* Malta

3 points  |  Latvia
2 points  |

* Iceland
* Poland
* Romania
* Sweden

1 point  |

* Belarus
* Russia

#### Points awarded by the United Kingdom

[edit]

Points awarded by the United Kingdom (Semi-final)[17] | Score  | Country

|

12 points  |  Greece
10 points  |  Cyprus
8 points  |  Serbia and Montenegro
7 points  |  Ukraine
6 points  |  Albania
5 points  |  Malta
4 points  |  Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 points  |  Netherlands
2 points  |  Israel
1 point  |  Estonia
Points awarded by the United Kingdom (Final)[16] | Score  | Country

|

12 points  |  Greece
10 points  |  Cyprus
8 points  |  Sweden
7 points  |  Ireland
6 points  |  Turkey
5 points  |  Ukraine
4 points  |  Germany
3 points  |  Serbia and Montenegro
2 points  |  Malta
1 point  |  Albania

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "United Kingdom | Country profile | Eurovision Song Contest". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
2. ^ a b Bakker, Sietse (8 November 2003). "British 2004 entry to be selected in 'sexy' show". Esctoday. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
3. ^ "Press Office - Making Your Mind Up - BBC". bbc.co.uk. 4 February 2004. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
4. ^ "Press Office - Eurovision accreditation 2004 - BBC". bbc.co.uk. 12 March 2004. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
5. ^ a b "Press Office - Eurovision Making Your Mind Up winner - BBC". bbc.co.uk. 28 February 2004. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
6. ^ "Weaver's Week 2004-02-07". UKGameshows. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
7. ^ Shahin, Kemal (31 December 2004). "BASCA sends 5 songs from 530 to BBC". Esctoday. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
8. ^ Bakker, Sietse (3 February 2004). "Six names for British selection revealed". Esctoday.
9. ^ "The Television & Radio Database - Top of the Pops". tvrdb.com. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
10. ^ "How to vote for your favourite band". bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 December 2004. Retrieved 9 June 2024.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
11. ^ "UK NATIONAL FINAL 2004". natfinals.50webs.com.
12. ^ "Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up 2005". bbc.co.uk. 4 February 2005. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
13. ^ "Grand Final of Istanbul 2004". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
14. ^ "Britain's Eurovision Song Contest entries: where are they now?". The Telegraph. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
15. ^ "Press Release - Record numbers for the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest". eurovision.tv. Archived from the original on 9 June 2004. Retrieved 29 May 2024.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
16. ^ a b "Results of the Grand Final of Istanbul 2004". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
17. ^ "Results of the Semi-Final of Istanbul 2004". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.

* v
* t
* e

United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest

National selection (former; contestants)

Participation|

* 1957
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
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* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* ~~2020~~
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Artists|

* Andy Abraham
* Olly Alexander
* The Allisons
* Michael Ball
* Bardo
* Belle and the Devotions
* Black Lace
* Blue
* Patricia Bredin
* Brotherhood of Man
* Bucks Fizz
* Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson
* Ronnie Carroll
* Co-Co
* Josh Dubovie
* Electro Velvet
* Emma
* Jade Ewen
* Scott Fitzgerald
* James Fox
* Nicki French
* Jessica Garlick
* Gina G
* Mary Hopkin
* Engelbert Humperdinck
* Imaani
* Samantha Janus
* Javine
* Jemini
* Joe and Jake
* Bryan Johnson
* Lucie Jones
* Katrina and the Waves
* Kathy Kirby
* Lindsay
* Live Report
* Love City Groove
* Lulu
* Kenneth McKellar
* Molly
* Matt Monro
* Mike Moran
* Mae Muller
* The New Seekers
* James Newman
* Olivia Newton-John
* Lynsey de Paul
* Precious
* Prima Donna
* Remember Monday
* Michael Rice
* Cliff Richard
* Rikki
* Clodagh Rodgers
* Frances Ruffelle
* Ryder
* Sam Ryder
* Daz Sampson
* Scooch
* The Shadows
* Sandie Shaw
* Sonia
* SuRie
* Sweet Dreams
* Bonnie Tyler
* Vikki

Songs|

* "All"
* "Are You Sure?"
* "The Bad Old Days"
* "Beg, Steal or Borrow"
* "Believe in Me"
* "Better the Devil You Know"
* "Bigger than Us"
* "Boom Bang-a-Bang"
* "Children of the Universe"
* "Come Back"
* "Congratulations"
* "Cry Baby"
* "Dizzy"
* "Don't Play That Song Again"
* "Embers"
* "Even If"
* "Flying the Flag (For You)"
* "Give a Little Love Back to the World"
* "Go"
* "Hold On to Our Love"
* "I Belong"
* "I Can"
* "I Love the Little Things"
* "I Wrote a Song"
* "I'm Never Giving Up"
* "It's My Time"
* "Jack in the Box"
* "Knock, Knock Who's There?"
* "Let Me Be the One"
* "Long Live Love"
* "Looking High, High, High"
* "Love City Groove"
* "Love Enough for Two"
* "Love Games"
* "Love Is..."
* "Love Shine a Light"
* "Love Will Set You Free"
* "Making Your Mind Up"
* "A Man Without Love"
* "Mary Ann"
* "A Message to Your Heart"
* ~~"My Last Breath"~~
* "Never Give Up on You"
* "No Dream Impossible"
* "One Step Further"
* "One Step Out of Time"
* "Only the Light"
* "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit"
* "Power to All Our Friends"
* "Puppet on a String"
* "Ring-A-Ding Girl"
* "Rock Bottom"
* "Runner in the Night"
* "Save Your Kisses for Me"
* "Say It Again"
* "Say Wonderful Things"
* "Sing, Little Birdie"
* "Space Man"
* "Still in Love with You"
* "Storm"
* "Teenage Life"
* "That Sounds Good to Me"
* "Touch My Fire"
* "We Will Be Free (Lonely Symphony)"
* "What the Hell Just Happened?"
* "Where Are You?"
* "Why Do I Always Get It Wrong"
* "You're Not Alone"

* Note: Entries scored out signify where the United Kingdom did not compete. Italics indicate an entry in a future contest.
* See also: UK Eurovision discography

* v
* t
* e

Eurovision Song Contest 2004

Countries|

| Final|

* Albania
* Austria
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Macedonia
* Malta
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Poland
* Romania
* Russia
* Serbia and Montenegro
* Spain
* Sweden
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom

|

Semi-final|

* Andorra
* Belarus
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* Israel
* Lithuania
* Latvia
* Monaco
* Portugal
* Slovenia
* Switzerland

Artists|

| Final|

* Lisa Andreas
* Athena
* Blue Café
* Jonatan Cerrada
* Deen
* Chris Doran
* James Fox
* Željko Joksimović and Ad Hoc Orchestra
* Jónsi
* Julie and Ludwig
* Max
* Ivan Mikulić
* Lena Philipsson
* Toše Proeski
* Ramón
* Re-union
* Sakis Rouvas
* Ruslana
* Sanda
* Julia Savicheva
* Anjeza Shahini
* Knut Anders Sørum
* Tie Break
* Xandee

|

Semi-final|

* Aleksandra and Konstantin
* David D'Or
* Fomins and Kleins
* Linas and Simona
* Maryon
* Neiokõsõ
* Piero and the MusicStars
* Platin
* Marta Roure
* Jari Sillanpää
* Sofia Vitória
* Tomas Thordarson

Songs|

| Final|

* "1 Life"
* "À chaque pas"
* "Believe Me"
* "Can't Wait Until Tonight"
* "Du bist"
* "For Real"
* "Heaven"
* "High"
* "Hold On to Our Love"
* "I Admit"
* "If My World Stopped Turning"
* "The Image of You"
* "In the Disco"
* "It Hurts"
* "Lane moje"
* "Life"
* "Love Song"
* "On Again... Off Again"
* "Para llenarme de ti"
* "Shake It"
* "Stronger Every Minute"
* "Wild Dances"
* "Without You"
* "You Are The Only One"

|

Semi-final|

* "Celebrate"
* "Dziesma par laimi"
* "Foi magia"
* "Jugarem a estimar-nos"
* "Leha'amin"
* "My Galileo"
* "Notre planète"
* "Shame on You"
* "Stay Forever"
* "Takes 2 to Tango"
* "Tii"
* "What's Happened to Your Love"

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