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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Jess Molyneux

31 famous faces you forgot did Eurovision - and the ones who almost did

Eurovision is well underway in Liverpool with superfans from across the globe heading to the city.

Over the years, we've seen thousands upon thousands of acts compete in the legendary song competition. A number of entries have also gone on to achieve global success, from ABBA to Celine Dion and more recently Maneskin.

This year's grand final is fast approaching, with the UK representative Mae Muller taking to the stage with song I Wrote A Song. Mae will be joining the likes of Sam Ryder, Bucks Fizz and Cliff Richard in the Eurovision alumni who have represented the country.

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There are actually quite a few celebrities who you may not remember who have graced the Eurovision stage. Here, we take a look back at 31 famous faces from across the globe who you may have forgotten did Eurovision - and the ones who almost did.

This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, we've included a number of famous faces who were almost and once Eurovision contestants. But if you feel there is anyone we have missed, let us know in the comments section below.

1. Olivia Newton-John

Entry for the United Kingdom, Olivia Newton John. April 3, 1974 (Mirrorpix)

A few years before she made history playing the role of Sandy in Grease, Olivia Newton-John represented the UK in Eurovision. Born in England but growing up in Australia, the late singer and actress performed entry Long Live Love in 1974.

The contest was held in Brighton that year and won by ABBA, who performed Waterloo. Olivia's entry came fourth overall.

2. Celine Dion

Celine Dion, Canadian singer aged 20 years old, representing Switzerland, will be performing her song, Ne partez pas sans moi (Don't Leave Without Me), at the 33rd annual Eurovision Song Contest 1988 (Mirrorpix)

Representing Switzerland with the song Ne partez pas sans moi in 1988, Celine Dion gained international recognition for her Eurovision performance. A turning point in her career, Celine won the contest with 137 points, closely followed by UK entry Scott Fitzgerald, who finished with 136 points.

The French-Canadian headed to Dublin for the competition that year. She has since gone on to win multiple Grammy's and more in the music industry.

3. Julio Iglesias

Julia Iglesias in 1974 (Photo by Roba Archive/United Archives via Getty Images)

In 1970, singer-songwriter Julio Iglesias represented his native Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest. Performing the song Gwendolyne, the competition tool place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands that year.

The singer - whose son Enrique Iglesias later pursued a career in music - placed fourth overall in the competition. Becoming one of the most commercially successful Spanish singers in the world, Julio went on to win two Grammy Awards, as well as numerous other accolades.

4. Michael Ball

Michael Ball performs on stage during BBC Proms In The Park 2019 (Photo by Jo Hale/Redferns)

Michael Ball was already an established actor in the West End when he represented the UK at Eurovision. Back in 1992, he headed to Malmö, Sweden, to perform One Step Out of Time.

He came runner-up that year behind winner Linda Martin, who represented Ireland. The singer, presenter and actor is still making music, including collaborations with Alfie Boe.

5. Bonnie Tyler

Bonnie Tyler of the United Kingdom performs on stage during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 (Photo by Ragnar Singsaas/WireImage)

For many, it's hard to believe it's been ten years since Bonnie Tyler represented the UK in Eurovision. In 2013, the singer, loved for songs such as Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero competed at the contest in Malmö, Sweden.

For her entry, Bonnie performed the song Believe in Me. But first place wasn't to be, with the UK places ninetieth in the grand final.

6. Flo Rida

Saint-Marin's Senhit and US rapper Flo Rida arrives on stage during the final of the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

In 2021, the Eurovision Song Contest saw US rapper Flo Rida take to the stage. The competition was held in Rotterdam that year and Flo Rida joined San Marino's entry, Senhit, with song Adrenalina.

Representing the smallest country in the world, Senhit and Flo Rida finished ninth in the grand final. That year, Italy's Maneskin took home the title.

7. Samantha Womack

Samantha Janus, UK Eurovision Song Contest Entrant 1991 (Mirrorpix)

Samantha Womack is known for appearing on our TV screens as Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders. But in 1991, she had found fame representing the UK.

The actor - who participated under her maiden name Janus - performed the song A Message to Your Heart at the contest in Rome, Italy. That year, she finished in a joint tenth place with Ireland's Kim Jackson.

8. Kate Robbins

Pop Group Prima Donna who are representing the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in the Hague (Mirrorpix)

Perhaps most known for her involvement with Spitting Image, actor and impressionist Kate Robbins also joins the list of famous faces who have done Eurovision. Alongside her sister Jane, she was a member of the group Prima Donna who represented the UK in 1980

Singing Love Enough for Two in the competition in the Hague, the Netherlands, the group places third overall. Kate, who is the mother of Emily Atack and cousin of Sir Paul McCartney, also went on to release solo music.

9. Lulu

Pop singer Lulu to represent Britain in the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest (Mirrorpix)

Two years on from Sandie Shaw's success, Scottish singer Lulu competed for the UK in 1969 in Spain. Performing song Boom Bang-a-Bang, Lulu was part of a four-way tie for winner that year along with the Netherlands, France, and Spain.

After her win, Lulu went on to release 15 pop and pop-rock studio albums. Today, the singer is still best known for songs To Sir, With Love, Shout and The Man With the Golden Gun, which was the title song for the 1974 James Bond film of the same name.

10. Dita von Teese

Dita Von Teese performs with singer Oscar Loya of Alex Swings Oscar Sings of Germany during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest (Photo by Oleg Nikishin/Epsilon/Getty Images)

Burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese didn't actually sing in the competition. But she was part of a memorable stage performance in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.

Representing Germany, she appeared alongside the group Alex Swings Oscar Sings, who performed the song Miss Kiss Kiss Bang. The act placed twentieth overall.

11. Cascada

Cascada of Germany performs on stage during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 (Photo by Ragnar Singsaas/WireImage)

Known for songs such as Everytime We Touch and What Hurts the Most, Cascada was a household name before competing in Eurovision. The band - which is fronted by singer Natalie Horler - represented their native Germany in 2013.

That year, the competition was held in Malmö, Sweden. The award-winning group competed with their song Glorious and came 21st overall.

12. Johnny Logan

Johnny Logan at the Gaiety Theatre winning the Euro Song, March 1987 (Part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI Collection/Getty Images)

Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard, also known as Johnny Logan, has a very unique Eurovision experience. The Irish singer won in 1980 with entry What’s Another Year.

Four years later, Linda Martin sang a composition of his titled Terminal 3 and won the top spot, with Johnny participating again in 1987 Hold Me Now. Again in 1992, Linda Martin won the competition with Why Me? written by Johnny.

13. Engelbert Humperdinck

Singer Engelbert Humperdinck of the United Kingdom performs during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)

Already an established singer, Englebert Humperdinck is another famous face on our list to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2012, he represented the UK with song Love Will Set You Free.

Held in Baku, Azerbaijan, Engelbert placed second to last in the competition, with Norway in last place

Do these awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

14. Jedward

Ireland's pop duo Jedward performs during the First Semi-Final of the Eurovision 2012 song contest (VANO SHLAMOV/AFP/GettyImages)

Twins John Grimes and Edward Grimes, known as Jedward - found fame for competing in X Factor. But they had their hearts set on another competition when they represented Ireland in Eurovision in 2011 and 2012.

Jedward made their debut at the contest in Düsseldorf, Germany, with their song Lipstick - which saw them place eighth overall in the Grand Final that year. The following year in Baku, Azerbaijan, they performed the song Waterline, finishing in nineteenth.

15. t.A.t.U

Singers Julia Volkova (L) and Lena Katina of t.A.T.u perform the song, "Don't Believe, Don't Be Scared, Don't Ask" during the 48th Eurovision Song Contest on May 24, 2003 (Photo by Getty Images)

Russian pop duo found fame with song All The Things She Said in the noughties. Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova later competed in Eurovision in 2003.

The teens came in third with song Ne Ver', Ne Boysia. That year, the competition was in Riga, Latvia.

16. Blue

The boy band Blue of the United Kingdom perform in the grand finale of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

In 2011, the BBC announced they were ditching their usual Eurovision selection shows, instead choosing our UK representative themselves. With a number of hits under their belts, such as All Rise, boyband Blue were selected.

Performing song I Can, the band performed in Düsseldorf, Germany. Overall, they placed 11th.

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17. Javine

Singer Javine of United Kingdom performs song in the last dress rehearsal in Kiev,May 2005 (SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

Javine found fame on singing competition Popstars: The Rivals and after not getting into Girls Aloud, she went on to launch a solo career in the summer of 2003. After a string of hits, Javine went on to represent the UK in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest.

It was Javine who triumphed with her track Touch My Fire but it finished right near the bottom of the leaderboard in the Eurovision final. That year, the competition was held in Kyiv, Ukraine.

18. Lucia Moniz

Lucia Moniz attends the 'Operacion Marea Negra' premiere at Capitol Cinema on February 22, 2022 (Photo by Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images)

If you're a fan of classic British films, you'll probably recognise Lucia Moniz from Christmas staple Love, Actually. Lucia was known for playing Colin Firth's romantic interest Aurélia.

But prior to the hit film, Lucia represented her native Portugal in Eurovision in 1996. Performing entry O meu coração não tem cor" (My Heart Has No Color), she came in sixth place.

19. Jade Ewan

Jade Ewen, contestant for the United Kingdom, performs during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest on May 16, 2009 (Photo by Oleg Nikishin/Epsilon/Getty Images)

Many will recognise Jade Ewan as being a member of one of the later line-ups of girlband Sugababes. But she found fame before joining the group and represented the UK back in 2009.

That year, Jade performed a song penned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Diane Warren, called It's My Time. Jade's entry finished in fifth overall.

20. Darude

Finland's Darude feat Sebastian Rejmen rehearse ahead of the 64th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest (JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Darude is known for his huge club bangers and in 2019, he teamed up with Sebastian Rejman to compete at Eurovision. That year, the song contest was held in Tel Aviv, Israel.

But their performance in the semi-finals, Darude and Sebastian failed to secure enough votes to make it through to the final stage of the competition. Their song was entitled Look Away.

21. Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard sings for the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest finals. The Royal Albert Hall, London. April 1968. (Mirrorpix)

In 1968, Cilla Black was said to have been the BBC's first choice as a representative for the UK, but turned it down, reasoning that she didn't believe Britain or any nation would win the competition back to back. In March that year, A Song for Europe was presented by Cilla as a special edition on her BBC series and singer Cliff Richard performed Celebration on the show.

The bookmakers were sure of another British victory after Cliff Richard had dominated the European charts for several years already. But Congratulations was beaten by just one point by Spain's Massiel.

22. Enya

Singer Enya attends the Clive Davis annual Pre-Grammy Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 11, 2017 (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

As part of her former group Clannad back in 1973, Irish singer Enya hoped to compete in Eurovision with song An Pháirc. But the act wasn't chosen to represent Ireland that year.

The band consisted of Enya and her siblings. Enya went on to become a best-selling star.

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23. John Miles

British singer-songwriter John Miles performs at Night of the Proms, Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands (Photo by Paul Bergen/Redferns)

John Miles, the man behind 1976 track Music is another performer on our list who had high hopes for Eurovision. In 1990, he tried out with song Where I Belong to represent the UK that years.

But in A Song for Europe, John came second to Emma's Give a Little Love Back to the World.

24. Katie Price

Katie Price attends the press night performance of "Vardy vs Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial" at The Ambassadors Theatre on April 13, 2023 (Photo by Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Many will remember when Katie Price gave Eurovision a try in 2005. That year, she came close to representing the UK, but came second in the public vote.

She performed song Not Just Anybody, but lost out to singer Javine.

25. Labi Siffre

Labi Siffre in May 1970 (Mirrorpix)

Before his gospel anthem Something Inside So Strong, Labi Siffre was another singer who almost represented the UK at Eurovision. In 1978, his song Solid Love finished in fifth in the public vote.

That year, Co-Co, which featured Buck's Fizz's Cheryl Baker, represented the UK.

26. Kym Marsh

Kym Marsh attends the Pride Of Manchester at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on May 10, 2023 (Photo by Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)

After leaving HearSay and before she became known for her role in soap Coronation Street, Kym Marsh competed for a chance to represent the UK in Eurovision. With song Whisper To Me, she finished in fourth place in the public vote.

Daz Sampson won the vote with Teenage Life, also beating Blue's Antony Costa - but with Blue he went on to represent the UK years later.

27. Sinitta

Sinitta attends the 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton on March 30, 2023 (Photo by Emma McIntyre/WireImage)

Another almost entry was singer Sinitta, who a year before found success with So Macho'.

She came fourth in the public vote for the UK entry with her song Imagination.

28. Liz McClarnon

Liz McLarnon from Atomic Kitten performs onstage during the National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome event outside St George's Hall on May 07, 2023 (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for The National Lottery)

After success with girlband Atomic Kitten, Liz McClaron was in with a chance of representing the UK in Eurovision in 2007. As part of the Making Your Mind Up show, Liz performed (Don't It Make You) Happy.

Overall, she placed fifth.

29. Justin Hawkins

Justin Hawkins of The Darkness performs on stage at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on December 16, 2021 (Photo by Jo Hale/Redferns)

Just four years after smashing the charts with The Darkness, Hawkins found himself attempting Eurovision, teaming up with singer Beverlei Brown. In 2007, the same year Liz McClaron competed, he performed They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To.

Finishing in fourth, the UK decided to go with Scooch.

30. Alvin Stardust

Singer Alvin Stardust performs on stage during Day 2 of the Vintage at Goodwood Festival on August 14, 2010 (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Vintage at Goodwood)

In 1985, Alvin Stardust with performed The Clock On The Wall in A Song for Europe. But his Eurovision journey stopped there.

Alvin finished third in the public vote. And instead, we opted for Vikki with her song Love Is.

31. Hazell Dean

Hazell Dean performs at Lets Rock The Moor on May 19, 2018 (Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns)

The same year Sinitta went in for a chance to represent the UK in Eurovision, so did Hazell Dean. In A Song For Europe, she performed Stay In My Life.

However, she finished in seventh.

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