United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003


United Kingdom participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003. They used A Song For Europe to choose their entry. The winner was Liverpudlian duo Jemini with the song "Cry Baby", written and composed by Martin Isherwood and sung by Jemini.
The song went on to gain the worst placing ever for the United Kingdom - last place with no points.

Before Eurovision

A Song for Europe

A Song for Europe was the national final developed by the BBC in order to select the British entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2003. Eight acts competed in a radio semi-final during The Ken Bruce Show on BBC Radio 2 on 31 January 2003 and hosted by Ken Bruce and Terry Wogan, and four acts competed in a televised final on 28 February 2004 held at the BBC Television Centre in London and hosted by Terry Wogan. The winner was selected entirely through a public vote.

Competing entries

The BBC announced an open submission for interested artists to submit their songs. A fee was imposed on the submissions, with £110 for artists aged over 17 and under £20 for artists aged 17 or under. The submission period lasted until 18 October 2002. 2000 British representative Nicki French had expressed her interest in participating again, and had submitted two songs for the national final. At the close of the deadline, a total of 700 songs were received, 150 more than the previous year. The received submissions were reviewed by professional panel consisting of representatives of the BBC, the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and music industry experts that ultimately selected eight semi-finalists to compete in the national final. The eight competing songs were premiered during The Ken Bruce Show on BBC Radio 2 on 27 January 2003.

Semi-final

Eight acts compete in the radio semi-final on 31 January 2003. A public vote selected the four finalists, "Ever Since That Night" performed by Mimi, "Wait for the Moment" performed by Esther Hart, "Cry Baby" performed by Tricity and "Help Me" performed by Emily Reed. Over 30,000 votes were cast in the semi-final.
DrawArtistSongComposerResult
1Fenix"Do Anything for Your Love"Morten Schjolin, Giacomo BarbaEliminated
2Mimi"Ever Since That Night"John Brant, Simon MayFinalist
3SK "First Night"Neville Henry, Jackie Rawe, Karen GibbsEliminated
4Esther Hart"Wait for the Moment"Danny DaviesFinalist
5Tricity"Cry Baby"Martin IsherwoodFinalist
6Emily Reed"Help Me"Simon HillFinalist
7Gallico"Smile"Ashley Dylan Best, Samuel John RobertsEliminated
8Ben Plus One"Rainy Day in Summer"Alan Simpson, Maryanne MorganEliminated

Final

A number of changes were made to the final line-up. Tricity were renamed as Jemini, due to one member leaving the group. Esther Hart withdrew from the national final as she decided take part in the Dutch selection, which she eventually won and went on to represent Netherlands with "One More Night". She was replaced by Jessica Garlick's backing singers in the 2002 contest United Colours of Sound. However they also withdrew and were replaced by Simon Chapman, who performed a new version of "Wait for the Moment" with different lyrics as "Now and Forever".
Four acts compete in the televised final on 2 March 2003. In addition to their performances, guest performers included previous Eurovision Song Contest winners for the United Kingdom who shared their experiences at the contest. A public vote consisting of regional televoting selected the winners, "Cry Baby" performed by Jemini. Each region awarded 9, 10 and 12 points to their top three songs. Celebrities delivered these results in a deliberate echo of the Eurovision Song Contest itself.

At Eurovision

At Eurovision, the song fared badly and gained the worst result ever for the United Kingdom by coming in last, with the infamous nul points. Some blamed the United Kingdom's involvement in the Iraq War, whilst others put it down to a bad performance. The female half of Jemini claimed that the monitors were switched off, so that she was unable to hear the backing track in her earpiece. The duo's dressing room was also attacked by vandals after the contest had ended.
During the "Liquid Eurovision" show that was broadcast on BBC Three after the contest ended, it was revealed that Ireland had received the most votes in every region of the country, apart from in the South of England where Turkey were top. It was also revealed that if the backup jury had to be used, Turkey would also have received top marks from the United Kingdom.

Points awarded by the United Kingdom

Final

The televotes were converted into points, as shown in the points column.
DrawCountryTelevotePlacePoints
10
240,52138
386,653112
437,28047
50
63,845260
70
80
90
1029,70674
1123,497120
120
130
1424,269101
15
160
170
1831,05056
190
2025,97292
210
2230,63165
23 Estonia26,56383
240
2541,099210
260

12 points
10 points
8 points
7 points
6 points
5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 point

Points awarded to the United Kingdom

After Eurovision

Since Eurovision, Gemma has worked in a car showroom and Chris currently works across the globe as head of international retail at a fashion retailer. During the United Kingdom's coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, the duo sang a note-perfect rendition of their Eurovision entry.