If it's a hit song, that's the crucial thing; it could be by Mr Blobby if it's a hit; it won't win if it's not.

No-one in the Eurovision community, if there is such a thing, saw that coming. If that is an attempt by the BBC to win the contest, it will more than likely fail. Respect due though. Sooner a real performer with credibility than some reality TV wannabe.

I see no reason why Gerry Dorsey (as I used to call him when he emerged into a pop world that I had already broken into) can't win Eurovision - indeed I hope he does, as I'm a big supporter - for obvious reasons - of older performers. I love the French attitude - they admire and respect older singers and give them hits when they make good music. Why shouldn't someone old sing just as well as someone young? Vocal chords age and change of course (I can't hit those damned high notes anymore) so you'll have to appreciate the deeper but richer noises of a more mature vocalist.

It all depends on the song and that's what concerns me - do the BBC have anyone around who can spot a hit song? I hope so.

I can see it failing but I hope the retro singer does it well. Why does X Factor put on old singers in the next round and vote them off in the second round ? Age has nothing to do with performing I'm seeing Brian Hyland later this year his 68.

It'll be Status Quo next!

I saw Status Quo a few years back it was embarrassing why can't they grow old gracefully ? Some old acts have it still some don't these goons don't.

giles2008 wrote:
www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/911637...nck-is-UK-entry.html

I thought you had turned 2 pages of the calendar instead on one when I first saw this.

I was going to post "it's March 1st, giles - NOT April 1st" !!!

It is a joke, though, isn't it?

How we have sunk !
Obviously no one is interested so they have to dig-up someone who is nearly dead - and has been musically dead for at least the last 45 years (and may very well be really dead by the time of the contest )!

All that matters is a) is it a good song? and b) is Engelbert Humperdinck a good singer.

OMG PH - 16 and you've turned into me!

I'm not sure anyone at the Beeb could spot a hit song if it painted itself pink and stood under a big sign saying "HIT SONG", JK. I'm just hoping it turns out to be good anyway.

There is a bit more to winning Eurovision than just a good performance and great song, unless the song is way better than any of the opposition. The question is whether people, on a subconscious level, feel minded to pick up the phone and vote for an aged performer. It's a gamble, but a worthwhile one. If there is plenty of outlandish, gimmicky, youthful behaviour going on, this may well work in Engelbert's favour.

For me, I've never much cared whether UK wins or not and it will be great to see the old legend giving it a go.

Terrible decision, it's not just about the song. Do you think Bucks Fizz would have won without looking good and having a great dance routine.
Englebert is just going to be an embarassment, he hasn't had a hit in decades, what makes people think he's going to have a sudden resurgance.

Bardo could have won if they didn't have a poor performance on the night, also Jemini wouldn't have got null points if they didn't screw up their vocals.

Another year in Eurovision wilderness for the uk. It looked like they were almost heading back in the right direction with Jade, but then when back a step with blue.

They might as well of picked Dave Berry, everyone in Europe knows him, Crying Game great song also a great picture. Engelbert will look like a old man doing a PJ Proby and what a thought.

Cant see what all the fuss is about. Eurovision is widely regarded as a joke amongst most. Who cares if Engelbert comes first or last? Its hardly a credible music story.

Apparently we don't win because the rest of Europe thinks we don't deserve it morallly. That's the mass of violence, prejudice and corruption that characterises the rest of Europe! And people actually take that criticism seriously!

From what I hear, Engelbert Humperdinck has a massive following throughout Europe. Most people know his name, like most Americans know Andy Williams. Also, as a young person, I know that not many people under 30 bother with Eurovision .. which might be one of the reasons why aiming the contest at a mostly young audience hasn't worked.

btw .. is it true that the song hasn't actually written yet?

i bet old engelbert can't believe his luck, what a way to revive your 50+ year old career, good luck to him, he will need it, he always struck me as a down to earth character who didn't take himself too seriously
he obviously has got genuine talent or at one time did have and if the song suits him he could do reasonably well because the competition so far does sound especially strong
my prediction, he will be just outside the top ten and that will give the bbc the incentive to let dame vera lynn have a crack at the contest in 2013, providing that she is still alive

as for europe thinking that we do not deserve to win morally, where on earth did you dream that nonsense from
i cannot imagine viewers throughout europe saying i would have voted for the uk but i don't think they deserve to win morally so instead i will vote for serbia or russia or whoever
the idea that we don't win is totally and utterly wrong, we have won 5 times in the past which is only surpassed by ireland's 7 wins
we have actually finished 1st, 3rd and 5th in the last 15 years which if you care to look it up is considerably better than most other countries
if the bbc were to select artists with real talent and suitable songs our record would be even better,
cast your mind back to the likes of scooch, gemini, josh bovie, lindsay draco, who have represented the uk recently, perfect examples of limited ability failing on the big occasion against really talented opposition

Pumpkinhead wrote:

btw .. is it true that the song hasn't actually written yet?
It certainly hasn't been recorded yet. If it hasn't been written, they'd better get a shift on as the deadline is next weekend.

Has anyone else noticed that Engle hasn't actually made ANY appearance yet on TV?

Normally they would have interviewed him on everything from The One Show to Gardeners World !

Perhaps they dont want to tax him too much in case he doesn;t make the competition itself !