United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020

The United Kingdom originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The British broadcaster British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) returned to an internal selection in 2020, this time partnering with record label BMG who selected, recorded and produced the British entry for the 2020 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the contest was cancelled.[1]

Eurovision Song Contest 2020
Country United Kingdom
National selection
Selection processInternal selection
Selection date(s)27 February 2020
Selected entrantJames Newman
Selected song"My Last Breath"
Selected songwriter(s)James Newman
Ed Drewett
Adam Argyle
Iain James
Finals performance
Final resultCancelled
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2019 • 2020

Background
Main article: United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest

Before Eurovision

Internal selection

In September 2019, it was announced that the BBC would not hold a public selection for the 2020 contest, and that BBC Studios would partner with record label BMG to select, produce and release its entry.[2][3]

On 27 February 2020, the song "My Last Breath" performed by James Newman was revealed as the UK's entry for the contest on both BBC Radio 1, during The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Greg James, and on BBC Radio 2, with Ken Bruce.[4]

At Eurovision

As a member of the "Big 5", the United Kingdom would have automatically qualified for the final on 16 May. In addition to their participation in the final, the United Kingdom would have voted in the second semi-final on 14 May.[5] However, the contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

Replacement contests

Following the cancellation of the contest, many countries decided to host their own smaller replacement contests. The results table below displays where the UK placed in those individual shows.

Country Broadcaster Show Final Points Semi Points Ref.
 Australia
Big Night In
 20 N/A No semi-finals [6]
 Austria Failed to qualify 4 66 [7]
 Germany TBA [8]
 Iceland
Okkar 12 stig
 11 ◁ 0 No semi-finals [9]
 Norway
Norge bestemmer
 Not selected [10]
 San Marino
Eurovision 2020: una serata in musica
 21 N/A No semi-finals [11]
 Sweden 6 8 TBA [12]

References
  1. "Official EBU statement & FAQ on Eurovision 2020 cancellation". eurovision.tv. EBU. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  2. "BBC drops Eurovision selection public vote". 16 September 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  3. "BBC - United Kingdom confirmed for Eurovision 2020 - Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  4. Darvill, Josh (22 February 2020). "UK Eurovision 2020 entry to be revealed Thursday, February 27". TellyMix.
  5. "Which country performs in which Eurovision 2020 Semi-Final?". eurovision.tv. EBU. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  6. Granger, Anthony (16 May 2020). "Australia: Daði og Gagnamagnið Win Eurovision: Big Night In". Eurovoix. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  7. Granger, Anthony (14 April 2020). "Austria: Daði og Gagnamagnið Wins Der kleine Song Contest Semi-Final One". Eurovoix. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  8. Granger, Anthony (10 May 2020). "Germany: Ten Acts Qualify For Eurovision Song Contest 2020 – das deutsche Finale live aus der Elbphilharmonie". Eurovoix. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  9. Granger, Anthony (15 May 2020). "Iceland: Diodato Wins Okkar 12 Stig For Italy". Eurovoix. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  10. Hyttebakk, Jon Marius (15 May 2020). "Full resultatliste i «ESC: Norge bestemmer»". NRK (in Norwegian). Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  11. Granger, Anthony (16 May 2020). "San Marino: Diodato Wins Eurovision 2020: una serata in musica". Eurovoix. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  12. Granger, Anthony (14 May 2020). "Sweden: Daði og Gagnamagnið Wins Sveriges 12:a". Eurovoix. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
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