Our Eurovision chances already nul points as six X Factor rejects battle to represent Britain in Ukraine
I’M close to believing the BBC want to engineer our second Brexit in as many years – this time from Eurovision.
The joyless entertainment bosses at the Beeb yesterday consigned us to near-certain failure at the Song Contest – by picking a shortlist of SIX total X Factor flops to battle to represent us.
Yup, that’s right, every on the shortlist has been rejected by SIMON COWELL’s talent show.
The bookies’ favourite to win is smarmy DANYL JOHNSON, who came fourth in the 2009 series.
He was widely disliked after clashes with LOUIS WALSH and DANNII MINOGUE and rumours of backstage clashes with other contestants.
LUCIE JONES is talented enough but lost out to JEDWARD in the sing-off the same year, coming eighth.
Now working in the West End, she hasn’t released music since 2010.
Sorry bunch
The other four X Factor cast-offs didn’t even make it to the finals.
SALENA MASTROIANNI failed to get past bootcamp in 2012, while OLIVIA GARCIA and NATE SIMPSON were both turned away at judges’ houses in 2016.
HOLLY BREWER was axed by the judges in 2015 – but her audition was never shown and her most-watched YouTube video has fewer than than 3,000 views.
It is a farce for a proud nation that has produced such talented pop stars as THE BEATLES, CLIFF RICHARD, SPICE GIRLS, ROBBIE WILLIAMS, ADELE and ONE DIRECTION.
But the snobs at the BBC have decided we don’t want to bother.
Sure, it'll be hard convincing our European neighbours to vote for us.
This year in Ukraine will be tougher than usual, for obvious political reason.
But are you REALLY telling me the best they do is this sorry bunch of X Factor also-rans?
History proves that when the UK enters a credible artist into Eurovision the country genuinely has a chance.
SANDIE SHAW won in 1967 with Puppet On A String, Cliff came second in 1968 with Congratulations and in 1969 LULU's Boom Bang-a-Bang was a joint winner with three other entries.
BROTHERHOOD OF MAN triumphed in 1976 with Save Your Kisses For Me, BUCKS FIZZ brought it home for Britain in 1981 with Making Your Mind Up and KATRINA AND THE WAVES won in 1997 with Love Shine A Light.
In recent years the UK has had success without using reality TV rejects.
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Pre-SUGABABES, JADE EWEN finished fifth in 2009 with her ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER-penned track It’s My Time.
That proved the involvement of a legend could make a real difference.
Likewise, roping in a household name with a proven fanbase like BLUE, who did Britain proud on their turn in 2011, coming 11th with their track I Can.
Nul points
Then there was the hundreds of thousands of people who attended Eurovision parties to see events unfold in Sweden.
Surprise surprise, our entry JOE AND JAKE - another talent show reject - came an embarrassing 24th out of 26 (remember, we get automatic entry to the final because we help bankroll the competition).
This year’s entry will be decided during a competition on BBC2 on Friday night, hosted by SCOTT MILLS and MEL GIEDROYC.
Eurovision: You Decide will see the contestants each perform a song in front of a panel - Strictly Come Dancing judge BRUNO TONIOLI, singer SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR and vocal coach CECE SAMMY.
The trio forms part of a jury of eight whose votes, combined with those of the public, will determine who performs in Kiev on May 13.
Last night a Beeb insider told me: “A tough audition process was used to find six super talented performers who have the experience and vocal talent to make it work on the big stage, both at You Decide and at Kiev.
“We are determined to give the UK the best possible chance at Eurovision in May.”
But in reality, all this selection has done is give us the best possible chance to get nul points…again.