Who is Lucie Jones? Former X Factor star and UK Eurovision entry who came 15th in the contest
LUCIE Jones represented the UK in this year's Eurovision Song Contest and secured a strong 111 points in the grand final of the European singing contest - coming 15th out of 26 countries.
The 25-year-old secured the British public vote and performed a rendition of single Never Give Up On You at the contest.
Who is Lucie Jones?
Lucie Jones, 25, comes from Pentyrch, a village on the outskirts of Cardiff.
After appearing in the 2009 series of The X Factor, Lucie was signed by Sony music label and the Select model agency.
An album failed to materialise but she went on to forge a career in musicals.
Jones has appeared as Victoria in American Psycho in the West End, Elle Woods in the stage version of Legally Blonde, and toured China with Ghost: The Musical.
She is engaged to Ethan Boroian, who she first met at X Factor Bootcamp.
How far did Lucie Jones get in The X Factor?
Lucie appeared in series six of The X Factor in 2009, performing Footprints in the Sand, How Will I Know and Sweet Child o' Mine, among others.
In week five, Lucie faced Jedward - who themselves went on to perform at Eurovision, representing Ireland in 2012 - in a bottom-two sing-off.
After the judges' vote went to deadlock, the Welsh singer was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.
Her eighth-place finish put her behind the likes of Joe McElderry (who went on to win), Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon.
How was Lucie Jones chosen to represent the UK?
Lucie battled against five other artists to win the chance to represent the UK in Eurovision.
The acts performed in front of a live audience at the Hammersmith Apollo in London.
Their songs were judged by Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor and vocal coach CeCe Sammy on the night - but the public had the final say.
What song did Lucie Jones perform and who wrote it?
Lucie performed her song Never Give Up On You, which was penned by former Eurovision champ Emmelie de Forest and songwriter Lawrie Martin.
What were the odds on Lucie Jones winning?
Before the competition started SunBets gave odds of 50/1 for the UK to win the Eurovision Song Contest.
This put us sixth in the running however in the end the UK was beaten into the bottom half of the table after the TV votes were taken into consideration.
The talented star went on to blame Brexit for not placing higher in the competition - after failing to secure votes from bitter EU powerhouses Germany and France.
How did Lucie Jones make the final?
As the UK entry, Lucie automatically qualified for the Eurovision final - and will compete against 25 other acts on Saturday night.
We are one of the Big Five countries - alongside France, Germany, Italy and Spain - who automatically qualify.
While the host country, which this year is Ukraine, also gets a free pass.
What are the lyrics to Never Give Up On You?
Fancy making it a Eurovision karaoke session? We don't blame you, here are the words:
Tell me your secrets, I’lll keep them safe
No sign of weakness, it’s a sign of faith
We’ll stand tall so you don’t fall
You’re not defeated, you’re in repair
Don’t have to call me, I’ll always be there
We’ll stand tall, so you don’t fall
If you could see how far you’ve walked
You would see that’s all not lost
I will never give up on you
I don’t care what I’ve got to lose
Just give me your hand and hold on
Together we’ll dance through this storm
I will never give up on you
You’re the one that I’m running to
Just give me your hand and hold on
Together we’ll dance through this storm
Under the surface, I see you glow
I’m right beside you, you’re never alone
Don’t let go, when you’re so close
If you could see how far you’ve walked
You would see that’s all not lost
I will never give up on you
I don’t care what I’ve got to lose
Just give me your hand and hold on
Together we’ll dance through this storm
I will never give up on you
You’re the one that I’m running to
Just give me your hand and hold on
Together we’ll dancing through…
This madness, we’re running through
This magic, it’s inside of you
It’s madness, it’s madness…
Now you can see how you’ve walked,
The mountain climbed, the oceans crossed
I don’t care what I’ve got to lose
Just give me your hand and hold on
Together we’ll dance through this storm
I will never give up on you
You’re the one that I’m running to
Just give me your hand and hold on
Together we’ll dance through this storm
How many times has UK won the Eurovision Song Contest?
The UK has won the Eurovision song contest five times in total.
Up until 1998, the UK had only ever finished outside of the top ten on two occasions - but the tables quickly turned and us Brits have done notoriously badly ever since.
In recent years we have come in the top 10 twice, once in 2002 with Jessica Garlick who finished joint third and in 2009 when Jade Ewen finished fifth with It's My Time.
The UK's previous Eurovision winners
- Sandie Shaw with Puppet on a String in 1967
- Lulu with Boom Bang-a-Bang in 1969 (tied)
- Brotherhood of Man with Save Your Kisses for Me in 1976
- Bucks Fizz with Making Your Mind Up in 1981
- Katrina and the Waves with Love, Shine a Light in 1997
