Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker spoke to The Mirror about Saturday night's Eurovision final as the UK entry James Newman makes his big with song Embers.
In 1981, Bucks Fizz won Eurovision with Making Your Mind Up in their skirt-ripping glory, and the only other winner for us since then was Katrina and the Waves with Love Shine a Light, while in 2003 we received "nul points" after Jemini's technical issue meant they could not hear themselves - or sing in tune.
Now part of The Fizz along with Jay Aston and Mike Nolan, Cheryl, 67, is gigging again after the pandemic pushed back her plans, and she will be watching the grand final at 8pm on BBC One.
"I actually think that this year we will be on the left hand side of the board, whether James wins or not I don't know, but I think he has got a really strong song, he is really credible, the rest of Europe know him because of the songs he has written co written," she said.
"So I think this year it might be a fairer vote, I think the jury vote is usually fair, and to be honest I don't think we have been putting in the greatest songs, to be perfectly frank, for the past two years.
"Although I liked SuRie with Storm, I thought that was a great song."
Cheryl continued: "However, it's the public vote that seems to send us down to the bottom again, we need to get Europe on our side and we need them to like us again!"
On her rise to fame after Bucks Fizz were created with the purpose of entering Eurovision, Cheryl said: "Within three months we went from nowhere to worldwide fame, because it actually did happen, when you win the Eurovision Song Contest everybody wants a piece of you."
Asked what she thinks clinched the win, Cheryl laughed: "The skirts!"
She added: "I think the song was right for the time, we had come out of a bit of a dark time from the 70s, and in 1981 especially in the UK, it was very optimistic.
"We were looking forward to a better decade than the 1970s had been, there had riots, and strikes, it was a dark time.
"Winning Eurovision, Charles and Diana getting married, there were so many positive things that year.
"Our song was hoppy and happy, we were in bright colours, skipping around the stage dancing, boys throwing us in the chair, and then the money shot the skirts coming off."
Discussing the reluctance of big stars to enter Eurovision due to fear of losing, Cheryl said: "Yes, I don't think it will ruin [James'] career, I think a lot of people are concerned it might damage their career, but I don't think it does.
"For [Bucks Fizz] it made us. And if you lose it's not a bad thing, there can only be one winner a year, the odds are stacked way against you."
Speaking of her love for Eurovision, which will be celebrating its 65th ceremony, Cheryl said: "People from all walks of life, from all over the world come to stay in this village, and there are pop up restaurants and bars and cafes, the atmosphere is wonderful.
"There is so much love, inclusion, kindness fun, everyone is waving their flags but there is no animosity, it's all for one and one for all."
* Eurovision Song Contest airs 8pm on Saturday 22nd May on BBC One
