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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
David McLean

The Glasgow taxi driver who was favourite to win the Eurovision Song Contest

As we all know, Glasgow taxi drivers can talk for Scotland, but back in the 1980s, we actually had one who sang for Britain.

"We've got a Euro winner here!" declared BBC commentator the late Terry Wogan on April 10, 1987, as telly judges selected Rikki Peebles' Only The Light to represent the UK at that year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Written and sung by Glasgow's own Richard "Rikki" Peebles, the tune was considered joint favourite to win the entire competition, with Rikki tipped to be offered a bumper £250,000 recording contract with CBS.

READ MORE: Legendary Glasgow nightclubs that had the 'stickiest floors' in the city

The omens were looking good for the 31-year-old singer and actor, who had previously driven taxis around Glasgow and Paisley. Unfortunately for Rikki, Europe would take a little more convincing.

In front of a television audience of 250 million at the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Brussels on May 9, a tartan-clad Rikki Peebles belted out his poptastic ballad with all his heart.

"That's it for the United Kingdom's entry; Richard Peebles with a flash of the tartan," said Terry Wogan at the conclusion of Peebles' slot. "A good performance".

Mr Wogan's enthusiasm for Rikki was soon crushed, however, as the UK finished in a lowly 13th place, managing just 47 points - a new low for a British Eurovision hopeful.

It was the nation's lowest points total in the competition to date, though future dismal showings by Britain would eventually strip Peebles of that rather unwanted title.

"I cried," Rikki later said on the 1987 result. "I thought I had let my country down in front of all those millions of viewers. I would never, ever do it again."

After a brief appearance at No.96 on the UK charts, Only The Light would soon sink without trace and Peebles' dreams of being a pop star were left in ruins.

The singer later revealed: "After the show every door slammed in my face. The CBS contract just disappeared."

Bruised but not defeated, Richard Peebles would go on to make a decent living singing in clubs. He would also pen songs for other artists, including established groups such as Middle of the Road.

Footage of Richard Peebles' Eurovision performance can be found on YouTube, with a number of people having commented on the clip.

"Deserved a higher place at ESC 1987," said Warrioral.

TheShislon wrote: "Should've done SO much better that year, at least at the top five."

Mike Batlinh added: "Backing singer and Rikki are both very good."

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Rikki's rendition is still not everyone's cup of tea, however, with one YouTuber commenting: "Good voice, good looking guy. The performance itself was very bad."

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