Just when you thought Eurovision couldn’t get any better – the catty remarks off Graham Norton as he gets steadily drunker throughout the night, the incredible traditional costume that always happens to be cut on the skimpier side – it just bloody has.
Because next year, for the first time ever, the entry process has opened up to include EVERYONE in the UK, and that means YOU could represent the country in Stockholm next May.
AMAAAAAAAAAAZING.
Think of it as a way nicer X Factor, but obvs way more fabulous and accepting. No Simon Cowell to crush your dreams, no need to have a vomit-inducing emotional ‘journey’ on your way through the selection process. And absolutely ZERO warbly covers of songs that should have been left to the pros.
Basically, this is the kind of competition we can all get on board with. All you need is a bunch of mates – no more than six of you, say the rules – a video camera and a decent-ish voice. Oh, and you need to be at least 18 on 1 January 2016. And be free to travel to the Swedish capital between 10 and 14 May. Everything else is up to you.
Good old Graham Norton’s really excited about this, saying: “Eurovision is one of the highlights of my year and I love the fact that the BBC is launching its biggest song search ever.
“I think it really shows that they take the competition seriously and the fact that the public will get the final say on who is sent to represent the UK in Stockholm next year is the icing on the cake.”
Oh, and did we mention that the BIGGEST EUROVISION FAN CLUB IN THE WORLD will be helping to pick the winning act? Yep. The OGAE - Organisation Générale des Amateurs de l'Eurovision if you’re feeling fancy – will be on hand to sort out a shortlist before it goes to the public vote, so you’re guaranteed to have at least a few supporters out there other than your nan if you go for it.
SO. Fancy it? Why the hell not – you literally couldn’t do any worse than Jemini’s awful nul points song from 2003.
Eurovision Song Contest: the worst outfits EVER!
Eurovision Song Contest: the worst outfits EVER!
1 of 54Conchita Wurst - Austria
When you look that good as a woman (check out the pins!), why not make yourself a t-shirt dress with a picture of yourself on it eh?
2 of 54Army Of Lovers - Sweden
We're sorry, but how were these not the winners last year? Or every year? Bring back AOL!
3 of 54Javine Hylton - West End Eurovision
We're sorry, this is gross. But this reminds us of a used tampon
4 of 54Javine Hylton - West End Eurovision
We're sorry, this is gross. But this reminds us of a used tampon
5 of 54Gaby Roslin - West End Eurovision
At least Gaby had those dressing room drapes as a last resort when her dress broke
6 of 54Mika Newton - Ukraine
Mika's song for 2011 was called Angel. This outfit is anything but going to fashion heaven
7 of 54Cheryl Baker from Bucks Fizz - West End Eurovision
Leather hotpants aren't a good idea at the best of times. Let's just hope there were no side splits in this routine
8 of 54Javine Hylton - United Kingdom
Remember Javine? We do. But until now, we did not remember this awful outfit, thank goodness
9 of 54Soraya - Spain
We pity the poor person who had to stick all those diamantes on only to get an end result like this
10 of 54Dita Von Teese and Alex Christensen
Dita was a guest in Moscow in 2009! Wearing a veil. And little else
11 of 54Svetlana Loboda - Ukraine
Just caught sight of yourself in the mirror? It's too late now!
12 of 54Bonnie Langford - West End Eurovision
Apparently the West End's version of Eurovision is no better dressed (or tressed)
13 of 54Yohanna - Iceland
NOhanna more like. We don't need to see a loo roll cosy on the stage thanks
14 of 54AySel and Arash - Azerbaijan
Gaga would be totes jealous of that one metallic Lycra leg
15 of 54Diana Gurtskaya - Georgia
The shredder strikes again. Someone should really have moved this off the Eurovision set before letting the acts get in the way
16 of 54A bit of all white. Or a lot of all white
Dima Bilan - Russia
17 of 54Laka - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Clown college try-outs were last week, sorry love
18 of 54Boaz - Israel
What a lovely sweaty satin waistcoat that is
19 of 54Balthazar - Romania
Slightly reminiscent of Geri Halliwell in her Spice Girl days, no?
20 of 54Gisela - Andorra
We can't help but guess Shakira might have something to do with this frocky horror...
21 of 54Elnur and Samir - Azerbaijan
We're guessing flying without wings isn't an option then
22 of 54Rebeka Dremelj - Slovenia
Auditioning for Wicked, were we?
23 of 54Cascada's Nataile Horler - Germany
At first glance, we thought Natalie might have weed herself
24 of 54Ishtar - Belgium
Was 2008's Eurovision circus themed?
25 of 54Marija Sestic - Bosnia
This outfit wouldn't have looked out of place on last night's MET Gala red carpet
26 of 54KMGs - Belgium
My, that silk shirt looks very inviting
27 of 54Eliza Todorova - Bulgaria
Giving Heath Ledger's leather trousers in 10 Things I Hate About You a run for their money
28 of 54Eric Papilaya - Austria
In the '90s, we would have killed for those trousers
29 of 54Helena Paparizou - Greece
Another one falls victim to the dreaded paper shredder
30 of 54Jari Sillanpaa - Finland
Those newspaper trews were actually all over the Moschino S/S '14 catwalk, dontcha know
31 of 54Cosmos - Latvia
'70s choirboys made a comeback in 2006 apparently
32 of 54Carola Haggkvist - Sweden
2006 doesn't seem long ago enough to accept that spray-on jeans were 'a thing'
33 of 54Petra Mede
Is it a coat? Is it a dress? Is it a tux? There's only one thing we know for sure. That it's gross
34 of 54Lordi - Finland
J.R.R. Tolkien would be proud
35 of 54Sibel Turzun - Turkey
My, what a lovely embellished nude body stocking...
36 of 54Nonstop - Portugal
Let's hope she doesn't need a wee anytime soon
37 of 54Nonstop - Portugal
A green nappy with chains attached? Why not?
38 of 54Tina Karol - Ukraine
Is it just us, or did Rita Ora wear those very boots recently?
39 of 54Dana International - Israel
Dana had this lovely ensemble specially made for her by Jean Paul Gaultier, although he apparently forgot the top. At least Dana had those black beads eh?
40 of 54Olivia Newton John - United Kingdom
Er, Olivia? The Sound Of Music auditions are in the other room
41 of 54Javine Hylton - United Kingdom
Believe it or not, this outfit beat Katie Price to represent the UK in 2005
42 of 54Krista Siegfrids - Finland
Krista just decided to hang out in Willy Wonka's factory for her performance. That poor slaughtered swan for that tail though...
43 of 54Alexsandra - Russia
Who needs a surname when you look like this?
44 of 54Sanda Ladosi - Romania
Sanda wasn't only lucky enough to be the Romanian entrant for Eurovision 2004, she was also chosen to embark on a serious fake tan trial
45 of 54Jedward - Ireland
Who could forget the iconic Jedward in their Britney jackets?
46 of 54Dream Express - Belgium
1977 was apparently the year of the camel toe
47 of 54eurovision-song-contest-worst-weirdest-odd-outfits-ever-47
48 of 54Svetlana Loboda - Ukraine
Svetlana Loboda - Ukraine
49 of 54Sequinned suspenders? Eww
Ich is actually very on-trend. Check out our green hair feature in heat this week
50 of 54Ich Troje - Poland
Ich is actually very on-trend. Check out our green hair feature in heat this week
51 of 54Emmelie de Forest - Denmark
Well there's a use for our old bedsheets
52 of 54Margaret Berger - Norway
Uh-oh. Herve Leger bodycon rip-offs have just reached Norway...
53 of 54Petra Mede
Hostess with the mostess amount of dress, but leastess sense of style
54 of 54Natalie Horler from Cascada - Germany
Yep, pull a wacky face and you can pretend you didn't throw your white dress in the coloured wash