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| For 2021, the BBC once again opted for an internal selection process that did not involve any public participation. On 19th February 2021, it was announced that James Newman - who had been chosen to represent the United Kingdom at the cancelled 2020 Eurovision Song Contest - would represent the United Kingdom in 2021. Many other participating countries had taken the decision to offer the role to the artist(s) whom it had been intended would represent them in 2020. The BBC also announced a renewed collaboration between BBC Studios and music company BMG for the 2021 Contest under the terms of which the United Kingdom song would be released and published by BMG. The United Kingdom song - entitled Embers and written by Newman, Conor Blake, Danny Shah, Tom Hollings and Samuel Brennan - was revealed during both Radio 1's 24-Hour LOL-a-thon with Scott & Chris on BBC Radio 1 and The Ken Bruce Show on BBC Radio 2 on 11th March 2021. |
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James Newman at The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 |
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At The Eurovision Song Contest 2021
| At the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on Saturday 22nd May 2021, Embers finished in 26th and last place with no points from either the professional juries or the public televote. This was only the second time in history that the United Kingdom had received "nul points". The previous entry to get zero points had been Jemini with Cry Baby in the 2003 Contest. Graham Norton provided the TV commentary for BBC 1. Ken Bruce provided the radio commentary for BBC Radio 2. Amanda Holden acted as BBC spokesperson, announcing the results of the United Kingdom professional jury. The professional jury of industry experts for the United Kingdom was made up of Aisha Jawando (actor and singer), Michelle Gayle (singer, songwriter, actress and author who was also as one of the participants in Eurovision – Your Decision in 2008), Nicki Chapman (TV and radio presenter, talent show judge and public relations agent who previously worked in the British pop music industry), Ross Gautreau (A&R and artist representation specialist) and Tom Aspaul (singer and songwriter). Scott Mills, Sara Cox and Chelcee Grimes provided the commentary from London for BBC Four Television for the semi-finals held on Tuesday 18th May 2021 and Thursday 20th May 2021. |