Could the UK FINALLY win Eurovision again? Nation tops bookies’ odds for the first time in decades after Olly Alexander is announced… 25 years after Katrina & the Waves’ victory

The UK could finally be set for another Eurovision win after Olly Alexander was announced as the nation’s performer. 

The Years and Years frontman was unveiled during Saturday’s live Strictly final with odds of the UK winning suddenly shortening to become the favourites for the first time in 27 years. 

The United Kingdom have not won Eurovision since Katrina & The Waves performed Love Shine a Light in 1997. 

Prior to that, the UK stormed to victory in 1981 with Bucks Fizz’s Makin’ Your Mind Up, and in 1976 with Brotherhood of Man’s Save Your Kisses for Me. 

In 1969, Lulu, who performed Boom Bang-a-Bang came first in a four-way joint tie with France, the Netherlands and Spain. 

Could the UK FINALLY win Eurovision again? The nation has topped bookies’ odds for the first time in 27 years after Olly Alexander was announced as the performer 

The United Kingdom have not won Eurovision since Katrina & The Waves performed Love Shine a Light in 1997. The UK have won the contest five times in total 

The UK’s first ever Eurovision victory came 11 years after the annual competition launched with Sandie Shaw’s Puppet on a String in 1967. 

Yet there is now potential for a sixth UK win if the odds are to be believed.  

A KingCasinoBonus.uk spokesperson told Metro: ‘The UK has leapt to become the favourite to win Eurovision 2024 after announcing that Olly Alexander [as their representative].’

‘Bettors raced to back the UK to win the song contest following the news and the odds of the UK winning were slashed to 6/1. Sweden, Israel and Ukraine are the joint 7/1 second-favourites, followed by 8/1 shots Italy and Norway at 10/1.’

‘The popular Olly Alexander may think It’s A Sin if he doesn’t do better than Mae Muller’s disappointing 25th finish last year – the UK will be quietly confident that their years without a victory in the song contest are over.’

Eurovision fans were quick to react on X, formerly Twitter, sharing: ‘never in my lifetime did I ever vision the UK leading the odds to win eurovision LMFAOOO’;

‘Upon the announcement that Olly Alexander is going to Eurovision this evening, the UK climbed a massive 8 places up the betting odds from 14th to 6th place Is it time to get excited? #Eurovision’;

‘Since Olly Alexander was announced as the Eurovision entry for 2024, the UK’s odds have been slashed – currently top of the crop, which is a rarity (very early days).’;

‘While it is refreshing to not see Italy, Ukraine or Sweden on top of the odds, and exciting for it to be the UK, my wish is for this year’s all-star Eurovision to be an open field where we don’t know the winner two months out from the final.’;

‘never thought i’d see the uk first in betting odds to win eurovision’; ‘STOP THE COUNT! UK are number 1 in the odds! Back to Liverpool.’ [sic]

Olly, who is non-binary and uses he/him pronouns, said of the gig: ‘I really can’t believe I’m going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour!

‘I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and it feels like the right moment to start releasing music under my own name.

‘I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!’

Eurovision fans were quick to react to the change in odds on X, formerly Twitter 

Olly will no doubt hoping to turn the UK’s fortunes after Mae Muller failed to impress audiences earlier this year at the contest in Liverpool where she finished second from last 

Olly will be hoping to turn the UK’s fortunes after 2023’s entrant Mae Muller failed to impress audiences  this year at the contest in Liverpool where she finished second from last.

Mae was picked to perform in Eurovision by global management company TaP Music, who also chose 2022 entrant Sam Ryder, who finished second.

Doubts over the singer had been growing before the final, with her voice criticised as not being strong enough to carry the track she performed, I Wrote A Song. Her rehearsal was littered with errors and hit by sound issues.

A series of old quotes, in which she suggested she hated the UK, alienated some.

The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest was held in the UK after last year’s winners Ukraine were unable to hold it in their home country amid the war with Russia. 

The 2024 ceremony will take place in Malmö, Sweden, following the country’s victory this year with the song Tattoo by Loreen. 

The 2024 ceremony will take place in Malmö, Sweden, following the country’s victory this year with the song Tattoo by Loreen

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