The UK’s Eurovision entry, Look Mum No Computer, found itself in the unfortunate position of last place during Saturday night’s competition. The act received no points from the public vote, while Bulgaria emerged victorious in the event hosted in Austria.
This lackluster outcome is yet another in a series of disappointing performances for the UK in Eurovision. Sam Battle, the musician behind the eccentric entry “Eins, Zwei, Drei,” managed only a single point from the jury vote and none from the public televote.
During his performance, Battle donned a pink boiler suit and frolicked around a whimsical set resembling a workshop. He played a synthesizer, accompanied by robots adorned in fur with computers for heads. This quirky spectacle, however, did not resonate with audiences.
Many viewers expressed their dissatisfaction, with some going so far as to label it the “worst song I’ve ever heard” and insisting it deserved no points at all. Reactions poured in on social media, where comments like “This deserves 0 points” and “Believe me, if we could give ourselves nil points, we would” were prevalent.
Some spectators went as far as to suggest that the UK might be actively avoiding a Eurovision win, with remarks such as, “I think the UK really doesn’t want to win Eurovision; it’s almost like they are trying not to win it.”
‘I think the UK really doesn’t want to win Eurovision, it’s almost like they are trying not to win it.’
‘The UK entry is the worst song I’ve ever heard. Who signed off on that?!’; ‘I think UK will get last place again this year. That song was well cringe.’
It marked yet another dismal result for the UK in the contest, with musician Sam Battle’s zany entry Eins, Zwei, Drei, securing just one vote in the jury vote and zero in the public televote
It marked yet another dismal result for the UK in the contest, with musician Sam Battle’s zany entry Eins, Zwei, Drei, securing just one vote in the jury vote and zero in the public televote
However, it seemed that even the delegation from the UK were not in favour of the eccentric track, as Sam was later seen sat all on his own during the jury show
Ahead of the contest, Sam admitted that he knew Eins, Zwei, Drei would be divisive, but insisted that taking a risk could pay off.
‘What we’re doing is Marmite,’ he told the BBC. ‘You either love it or hate it – but I think there’s a slot open for our sort of thing.’
However, it seemed that even the delegation from the UK were not in favour of the eccentric track, as Sam was later seen sat all on his own during the jury show.
A video quickly went viral on social media, showing the YouTuber sitting alone in his booth, before the delegation from Denmark take pity on him and invite him to sit with them.
Sharing the clip on X, one user fumed: ‘Sorry but if I was Head of Delegation for the UK I wouldn’t have my act sitting on his own at the top of the Jury show (when points matter) and them having to be adopted by lovely Denmark after the flag parade. Thank you to the Danes. Sam we support you…’
While other fans also declared the footage as ‘so sad’ and ‘shameful’, as they blasted the BBC and UK delegation for ‘disrespecting their own act’.
Others insisted that the UK has long failed to take the contest seriously, repeatedly sending poor acts to compete, despite boasting an incredible music history and producing numerous global stars.
However, many pointed out that well-established acts rarely agree to take part in the competition, saying to do so was ‘career suicide’.
Will Young previously ruled himself out from ever competing in Eurovision, branding the opportunity ‘a poisoned chalice’.
A video quickly went viral on social media, showing the YouTuber sitting alone in his booth, before the delegation from Denmark take pity on him and invite him to sit with them
While other fans also declared the footage as ‘so sad’ and blasted the BBC and UK delegation for ‘disrespecting their own act’
When asked if he would ever consider participating, he told BBC Breakfast: ‘No, I don’t think so because it’s going to be a bit of a poisoned chalice.’
The pop star stressed: ‘I don’t want to do it. Please don’t make me do it.’
While Olly Murs has also declined to take part, despite his name often being suggested by commentators and fans, saying it was ‘not for me’.
He told Digital Spy in 2015: ‘No, I wouldn’t do Eurovision. I think it’s always something I’ve found… new artists normally do it. Not for me, unfortunately.’
And there is some precedent to the argument that appearing in Eurovision as a well-established artist can do more harm than good.
Most notably, Years And Years’ Olly Alexander represented the UK in 2024, with two No. 1 albums and six BRIT nominations under his belt, but his raunchy track Dizzy failed to impress.
Before the competition, the singer said he believed Eurovision did a lot to promote artists around the world and that his motivation for taking part was to introduce himself to a wider audience.
‘I did Eurovision because it was a great opportunity to promote my music. I’m releasing new music for the first time in a few years. I hope that Eurovision will be a brilliant platform for ‘Dizzy’.
‘People love the songs they see at Eurovision. They do really well. They’ve been embraced by a younger audience.’
But, while the jury awarded him 46 points, he received zero votes from the public, finishing in 18th place overall.
Olly went into debt with his label to pay for the staging of the show and while he later said it was ‘kind of iconic to bomb’, when asked what advice he would give to future UK entries, he quipped: ‘Get yourself a really good therapist.’
The It’s A Sin actor found himself facing huge backlash before he even took to the stage in Malmö, after rejecting calls to boycott the event in support of Palestine – facing a tirade of abuse and threats and was given upgraded security.
This is in stark contrast to how countries view taking part in the contest, frequently sending their biggest and most talented stars to compete.
This year saw singer Delta Goodrem, who has had a total of nine number ones and 17 top-ten hits on the ARIA charts Down Under, compete on behalf of Australia – coming in a respectable fourth place.
Most notably, Years And Years’ Olly Alexander represented the UK in 2024, with two No. 1 albums and six BRIT nominations under his belt, but his raunchy track Dizzy failed to impress
This year saw singer Delta Goodrem, who has had a total of nine number ones and 17 top-ten hits on the ARIA charts Down Under, compete on behalf of Australia – coming in a respectable fourth place
While this year’s winner Dara has already had a successful career as a pop star in Bulgaria for a decade, ahead of her victory on Saturday night.
She urged established artists in the UK to let go of their prejudices about Eurovision, insisting they shouldn’t look down on the contest.
‘I don’t know what’s stopping them from experiencing this amazing place,’ she told BBC News: ‘You might be from bigger country than Bulgaria, but whatever.
‘Don’t be afraid to jump into a new reality, into risk, and to try new things. That’s what makes life fun, and you will feel alive.’
While Moldova’s entry, Satoshi, also expressed shock that UK artists were reluctant to take part, saying: ‘In the UK there’s a bad perception of representing your country at Eurovision? Well, that’s not good.’
He added: ‘I can understand that the UK has delivered so many powerful acts to the world that you don’t have to rely on Eurovision to get awareness, but I think it’s a wonderful contest to emphasise your musical potential.’
