The United Kingdom
The basics Full country name United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Capital London Facts First participation 1957 (Patricia Bredin) Victories 1967 (Sandie Shaw) 1969 (Lulu) 1976 (Brotherhood of Man) 1981 (Bucks Fizz) 1997 (Katrina and The Waves) Hosts London 1960 London 1963 London 1968 Edinburgh 1972 Brighton 1974 London 1977 Harrogate 1982 Birmingham 1998
The United Kingdom made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957. To date the UK has won the Eurovision Song Contest five times. The UK has also finished second a record 15 times and also has the record for the longest running string of Top 5 placings.
The United Kingdom holds the record for the longest run of consecutive appearances in the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest, 59 times in a row. The record would have gone to Germany had the country not been relegated in a pre-selection round in 1996.
The UK holds another record, which is regarded as one of the biggest achievements in the history of the contest, as they came second in the final ranking 15 times. The UK also holds the record for most Top 10 (41) and Top 5 placings (29) over the years and won the Eurovision Song Contest on five occasions.
The UK has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest eight times in total, stepping in to stage the event when others were unable to do so. The UK last hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998 in Birmingham following Katrina and the Waves' victory with Love Shine A Light in 1997.
