Joe and Jake will proudly represent the UK at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest final in Stockholm, after the tuneful pairing topped the public poll at Eurovision: You Decide. They will look to emulate last year’s Swedish winner, Mans Zelmerlow who also made a guest appearance as a boisterous O2 Forum in Kentish Town hosted the Friday evening entertainment. Sir Terry Wogan was honoured by an affectionate Eurovision-themed tribute and the former song contest host would no doubt have chuckled at a deliberate faux pas on the night by host Mel Giedroyc.
Emulate last winners?
Britain’s entry will once again attempt to avoid the ‘nil points’ stigma of many recent years, as they look to claim a first success since Dublin in 1997. Katrina and the Waves ensured that the Union Jacks could be proudly waved on that occasion, but it was so long ago that the announcement was made in the same week as Tony Blair became the British Prime Minister for the first time.
No Sue as Mel goes solo
Six acts in total performed at the You Decide ceremony in London, as Great British Bake Off star Giedroyc escaped the clutches of Sue Perkins for once, to host the programme. Utilising a similar style to the popular baking Show format that has served her so well, the affable Mel was able to lighten the mood throughout the evening by her adept food related innuendos.
What Zelmerlow – a guest star on the show – thought of her suggestion to share some meatballs in Sweden with her remains to be seen though.
Public vote for winner
A public vote determined this year’s UK representative, as two solo competitors (Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft) from the 2015 heats of The Voice UK joined up to form the winning act.
A clearly delighted Joe told viewers after “You’re Not Alone” was announced as the winner, that he was “so proud that we are going to be representing the UK.”
Disappointment for Bianca
Joe and Jake prevailed despite a strong performance on the night from 25-year-old Bianca Claxton, with her Leona Lewis co-written track “Shine a Little Light” proving to be not quite good enough to convince the voters.
Social media had previously seemed to offer plenty of praise for her undoubted talents with one fan calling her “amazing” and others praising her vocal abilities.
Comparisons with ‘One Direction’
Bookies’ favourite Darline was another to be left disappointed after the results had been made known. But the British hopes seem to now rest squarely on the shoulders of the likeable duo, with comparisons being made to the hugely successful One Direction by several observers.
One last apparent gaffe
Giedroyc found time for yet another quip as the tension mounted, punctuating the finale before the announcement of the winner with a deliberate aside. Slipping into her more accustomed banter from the Great British Bake Off, she at first appeared to begin to announce the ‘Star Baker’ on that show.
As the audience appreciated the comedy moment, the 47-year-old comedienne quickly corrected herself though and Joe and Jake could finally accept the deserved applause.
The Eurovision Song Contest grand final itself will be beamed across Europe on May 14th, when many Eurovision parties will no doubt take place to join in with the fun event.
