United Kingdom: Michael Rice to sing "Bigger Than Us" in Tel Aviv
It was United Kingdom's turn tonight to select its representative. Michael Rice won "Eurovision: You Decide" with the song "Bigger Than Us", and will be the British representative in Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv
"Eurovision: You Decide" is the show through which the British representative for Eurovision Song Contest has been selected for three consecutive years.
Tonight it was time for the 2019-edition, where six acts competed – but only three songs. Each song was performed by two artists in two different musical styles. After the three duels or "song-offs", the best artist proceeded to the next round, and here it was Michael Rice who won it all with the song Bigger Than Us.
Eurovision: You Decide 2019
Duels round
| Voting | 100% jury |
Final round
| Voting | 100% televoting |
Michael Rice
Michael Rice previously participated in the British X Factor back in 2014. Last year he won the first series of BBC's "All Together Now".
Going to Eurovision Song Contest is a dream coming true for Michael. He has always watched Eurovision from he was young. He came to public attention on YouTube where one of his singing videos reached more than a quarter million views.
Michael is an active advocate for ani-bullying because he was bullied himself for singing! He has recorded a single in support for the anti-bullying-project, and visited numerous schools throughout United Kingdom to speak on the subject.
Eurovision: You Decide 2019
This year's acts had been announced in January and they all fought for winning the much-awaited ticket for the Grand Final on 18 May 2019. Six acts but three songs were performed live in front of an audience and the jury, consisting of Eurovision super-fan and presenter Rylan Clark-Neal, pop-star and BBC Radio 1 DJ Mollie King and DJ, pop-star and presenter Marvin Humes, decided through "song-offs" that the three mostly preferred acts were Michael Rice, Kerrie-Anne and Jordan Clarke.
They performed their songs once more on stage and then it was the public's turn to vote and this is how Michael Rice won tonight's show along with United Kingdom's 62nd representation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Hosts of the show were the television presenter and actress Mel Giedroyc and former Eurovision winner and host Måns Zelmerlöw (Sweden 2015).
United Kingdom in Eurovision Song Contest
United Kingdom has participated in Eurovision Song Contest 61 times since 1957. United Kingdom only skipped the contest two times: 1956 and 1958. They have won Eurovision five times:
- 1967: Sandie Shaw - "Puppet On A String"
- 1969: Lulu - "Boom Bang-a-bang"
- 1976: Brotherhood of Man - "Save Your Kisses For Me"
- 1981: Bucks Fizz - "Making Your Mind Up"
- 1997: Katrina and The Waves - "Love Shine A Light"
...and finished in 2nd place 15 times! They only came last one time (2003), where they also entered the Club Null.
United Kingdom is a member of "Big 5", so they don't have to go through the Semi-final qualifications, but are automatically qualified for the Grand Finals.
