I Guess That's Why They Call it the Twos: The UK's Runner-Up History at Eurovision

Douze Points

In this episode, Stephen deep dives into a Eurovision record nobody particularly wants, but one the United Kingdom has... and it's not the number of 'nil points'!

From Cliff Richard to Sam Ryder, the UK is far and away the most successful runner up in Eurovision history, so we take a look at every one, from the lucky breaks to the near-misses, and everything in between.

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Highlights from this episode:

• The Netherlands confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2025 after extensive negotiations with the EBU.
• Germany is changing its national final format for Eurovision 2025, promising more viewer involvement.
• Australia will compete again in Eurovision 2025, marking their tenth year in the contest.
• The UK has an impressive record with 16 second place finishes at Eurovision, the most by any country.
• Stephen Perkins dives into the history of the UK's Eurovision entries that finished in second place.
• Despite various runner-up finishes, the UK is still searching for its next winning entry.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Electric Fields - ‘One Milkali (One Blood)’ (Australia, 2024): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzpp6996QdI

Dami Im - ‘Sound Of Silence’ (Australia, 2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ymFX91HwM0

Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson - ‘Sing Little Birdie’ (United Kingdom, 1959) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m4ADnfu91k

Teddy Scholten - ‘Een beetje’ (Netherlands 1959): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaEskI58tAM

Bryan Johnson - ‘Looking High, High, High’ (United Kingdom, 1960): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2GivwSboXM

Jacqueline Boyer - ‘Tom Pillibi’ (France, 1960): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX_hlMchXvc

The Allisons - ‘Are You Sure?’ (United Kingdom, 1961): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIxU_XWUmf4

Jean-Claude Pascal - ‘Nous les amoureux’ (Luxembourg, 1961): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i87Vm2BOXL4

Matt Monro - ‘I Love The Little Things’ (United Kingdom, 1964): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OIkip05qu0

Gigliola Cinquetti - ‘Non ho l’età’ (Italy, 1964): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utd9cHBPfRA

Kathy Kirby - ‘I Belong’ (United Kingdom, 1965): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeDI52bdntQ

France Gall - ‘Poupée de cire, poupée de son’ (Luxembourg, 1965): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyFnDf8PvmU

Cliff Richard - ‘Congratulations’ (United Kingdom, 1968): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xJcE9tnY6E

Massiel - ‘La La La’ (Spain, 1968): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhPAZOwEY0I

Mary Hopkin - ‘Knock Knock, Who’s There?’ (United Kingdom, 1970): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWIkmL39aYA

Dana - ‘All Kinds Of Everything’ (Ireland, 1970): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1a_5Hyzjks

The New Seekers - ‘Beg, Steal Or Borrow’ (United Kingdom, 1972): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcBM6f3Sz6s

Vicky Leandros - ‘Après toi’ (Luxembourg, 1972): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52W1665yI1Y

The Shadows - ‘Let Me Be The One’ (United Kingdom, 1975): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wmU3LJFQvc

Teach-In - ‘Ding-a-dong’ (Netherlands, 1975): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUNet0NF2DE

Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran - ‘Rock Bottom’ (United Kingdom, 1977): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_WWnKt4GAY

Marie Myriam - ‘L’Oiseau et l’enfant’ (France, 1977): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQG8dtWClc8

Scott Fitzgerald - ‘Go’ (United Kingdom, 1988): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WBMsRc5fEs

Céline Dion - ‘Ne partez pas sans moi’ (Switzerland, 1988): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXLWfXmlXPc

Saara Aalto - ‘Monsters’ (Finland, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdjiuCUUpPc

Live Report - ‘Why Do I Always Get It Wrong?’ (United Kingdom, 1989): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi2puzoNppY

Riva - ‘Rock Me’ (Yugoslavia, 1989): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1glDWFMK_0

Michael Ball - ‘One Step Out Of Time’ (United Kingdom, 1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4uK77ZtPh4

Linda Martin - ‘Why Me’ (Ireland, 1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zyicQLmQq4

Sonia - ‘Better The Devil You Know’ (United Kingdom, 1993): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P6yTW_70B0

Niamh Kavanagh - ‘In Your Eyes’ (Ireland, 1993): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Vamz7UAfQ

Imaani - ‘Where are You?’ (United Kingdom, 1998): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z745-juFlck

Dana International - ‘Diva’ (Israel, 1998): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ5B6w-Baxs

Sam Ryder - ‘Space Man’ (United Kingdom, 2022): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ0hqX_92zI

Kalush Orchestra - ‘Stefania’ (Ukraine, 2022): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs

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Douze Points is a Podcasts By Liam production, presented by Steven Perkins and produced by Liam Heffernan. Original theme composed by Ian MacEwan. The Bingewatch network was created by Hannah Fernando and Ian MacEwan. For any queries, including advertising & sponsorship, please email [e-mail]