UK Eurovision 2025 entry announced: Here are the top 10 most iconic UK entries Remember Monday will hope to join
Sir Cliff Richard just couldn’t resist doing it twice
Country trio Remember Monday has officially been announced as this year’s UK Eurovision entry and it has got most of the UK feeling nostalgic about some of the best and weirdest entries of all time. To this day I’m still not sure which is weirder, Jedward entering Eurovision for Ireland in 2011, or Jedward actually finishing in the top ten.
From the iconic Lordi in 2006 to Latvian pirates in 2008, Eurovision has been home to the whacky and the wonderful - and of course you can’t really talk about Eurovision in the first place without mentioning ABBA. But amongst all the memorable performances and songs that litter Eurovision’s long history, it can be easy to forget some of the legendary artists that have represented the UK.
1. Lulu, 1969
Clearly, the Eurovision judges were a little indecisive that year, as there was not one winner, but four. Luckily for the UK, Lulu was one of those winners, and was placed in joint first with her song Boom bang-a-bang, which remains to this day one of the biggest earworms you can catch, so maybe don’t have a listen unless you’re prepared to be singing the chorus for the next week or so.
2. Sandie Shaw, 1967
Sandie had to be on the list not just because she’s one of the most successful British singers of the 60s, but also because she made history by being the first British entry to win Eurovision. She has had three UK number one singles including (There's) Always Something There to Remind Me, and Eurovision winner Puppet on a String - a sample of which has recently appeared in JADE’s Angel of my Dreams, proving that good songs are timeless.
3. Cliff Richard, 1968, 1973
It’s almost hard to believe that singing and acting legend Sir Cliff Richard entered Eurovision back in the day. Harder still to believe that he represented the UK again just a few years later. Potentially the most famous UK artist to enter Eurovision, it’s no surprise that he ranked second (by one point) in 1968 and third in 1973.
4. Olivia Newton John, 1974
I’m not sure whether it’s more like a sleeper agent being reactivated, or Pavolv’s dogs, but every time someone mentions Olivia Newton John, I will immediately yell ‘Let’s get physical!’ Unfortunately, this particular track was not the one she performed in 1974, but she still finished fourth with Long Live Love, just losing out to ABBA, which made 1974’s Eurovision the battle of the legends.
5. Bucks Fizz, 1981
As well as having one of the best band names in history, Bucks Fizz also made history by winning the competition for Britain the fourth time in 1981, thanks in part to the coordinated dance moves and the unforgettable skirt-ripping move (you know the one I mean). They are undeniably up there in the British pop hall of fame.
6. Gina G, 1996
If anyone can stop themselves from dancing and/or joining in when they hear the chorus of Ooh Ah Just a Little Bit, I applaud you. This is one of those songs where you see the title and are immediately singing it in your head. It’s no wonder really that it became a UK No.1, despite only finishing eighth place at the competition.
7. Katrina + the Waves, 1997
If you don’t immediately recognise this band, you’re not alone, I guarantee you. Nor would you be alone if you weren’t sure how their 1997 Eurovision song Love Shine a Light went. However, if you’re familiar with the well-known tune Walking on Sunshine, then you’ll know Katrina + the Waves. They went on to win their Eurovision year, which is sort of to be expected from anyone who can produce a banger like Walking on Sunshine.
8. Blue, 2011
Ah, Blue. Probably now best known for featuring on Strictly Come Dancing, Love Actually, and Hollyoaks just as much as their music careers. The band reformed in 2011 especially for Eurovision with their song I Can, and were ultimately ranked eleventh.
9. Bonnie Tyler, 2013
Bonnie Tyler firmly cemented herself in UK pop history with Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero to name a few bangers. She was a surprising (if iconic) choice for Eurovision in 2013, placing nineteenth with her song Believe in Me which later made it into the UK Charts. Despite finishing nineteenth, she is one of the only UK entrants with three Grammy Award nominations, three Brit Award nominations, and an MBE.
10. Olly Alexander, 2024
A familiar face from British pop over the last decade, known for both his acting and music. Formerly of pop group Years and Years, Olly achieved a UK No.1 with King and has collaborated with musical legends including The Pet Shop Boys and Elton John. Despite finishing eighteenth overall, Olly remains a key icon in UK Eurovision history.
[Main Image Credit: Keystone/Hulton Archive, Reg Burkett/Daily Express, Getty Images]