The United Kingdom’s taste in music gave birth to legends like The Beatles, Adele, Queen, and more. The UK often shapes global music trends, so it’s natural to assume that Great Britain would be a powerhouse in a song contest like Eurovision. However, it’s been so long since the UK won Eurovision that many fans nowadays question: Has Great Britain ever won Eurovision?
Eurovision is a highly competitive song contest that blends pop culture, politics, and performance. Since its inception in 1956, Eurovision grew into a global spectacle with even UK betting apps exclusively featuring the event. While established names have occasionally taken part in Eurovision, the event often serves as a launchpad for emerging artists.
The UK is one of the oldest competitors in Eurovision, but considering the country’s recent struggles at the event, many are curious about its historical track record in the event.
Has the UK ever won Eurovision?
Yes, the UK has won Eurovision multiple times. According to Eurovision’s official United Kingdom records, Great Britain took home the trophy in 1967, 1969, 1976, 1981, and 1997.
The UK’s wins may feel like a distant folklore for younger fans because they all happened before the year 2000. Think of it like this, when the UK last won Eurovision, Tamagotchis were taking over the world.
All UK Eurovision Winners
- 1967 – Sandie Shaw with “Puppet On A String”
- 1969 – Lulu with “Boom Bang-a-Bang”
- 1976 – Brotherhood of Man with “Save Your Kisses For Me”
- 1981 – Bucks Fizz with “Making Your Mind Up”
- 1997 – Katrina and the Waves with “Love Shine A Light”
How many times has Great Britain won Eurovision?
Great Britain has won Eurovision five times. The UK’s five Eurovision titles makes them one of the most successful countries in the event.
At the time of writing, there are just three other countries who match the UK’s track record, France, Luxembourg, and Netherlands. The top spots for total performance belongs to Ireland and Sweden, though, as they both have seven Eurovision wins.
Why does the UK never win Eurovision?
It may feel like the UK never wins Eurovision these days, and that might be the case for more than two decades. However, the Eurovision song contest has become a lot tougher than before in modern times.
Eurovision is no longer just a singing competition since stage performances, visual effects, choreography, and even storytelling matters. The UK fell behind this trend, but it’s not like the country has stopped trying. In 2016, UK decided its Eurovision song contest entry by public vote, but that still wasn’t enough to bring home the trophy. As years went by without a major achievement, Eurovision betting apps started reflecting the UK’s bleak hopes in their odds.
While it’s a rather conflicting topic, there’s a certain level of politics involved in Eurovision as well. Voting blocks and regional alliances show themselves in awarded points, and the UK hasn’t exactly been a fan favourite across Europe after Brexit. Even during the UK’s brightest moments after 1997, the country could only break into the top three for a total of three times, the last one with Sam Ryder’s Space Man in 2022.
