While the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 officially got going with the first semi final on Tuesday night, don't expect to see the United Kingdom entry to the weekend. And the reason is that, once again, the UK has automatically landed a place in the final, due to being in the Big Five.
For many years now, the UK, along with France, Germany, Italy and Spain, has been part of the five nations who put in the most money to fund Eurovision every year. There have been semi finals for the contest every year since 2004, but the UK and none of the other four has ever had to rely on then to get a place in the final.
The UK's position in the Big Five is strengthened even more by the fact it is hosting Eurovision 2023, having taken the reins after it was ruled by the European Broadcasting Union that last year's winners, Ukraine, couldn't stage the event.
The UK and Liverpool's opportunity to do the honours arose from the fact that Sam Ryder finished second behind the Kalush Orchestra 12 months ago in Turin, with his track Space Man. That means that this year's representative for the UK has a tough act to follow.
Who is representing the UK at Eurovision?
This year the job of flying the flag for the UK at Eurovision falls on the shoulders of Mae Muller, who will appear in the arena during Thursday's second semi to preview her final performance.
The 25-year-old was officially unveiled as the entry for 2023 back in March, after speculation had also linked the likes of Freya Ridings and Birdy to the position. Mae will perform last in Saturday night's grand final with her track I Wrote A Song, with her prime position in the running order and buzz about the songs across Europe, seeing her firmly inside the top 10 when it comes to winning odds.
As well as I Wrote A Song reaching number 1 on iTunes within a day of Mae being announced as UK Eurovision entry, she has also had chart success this year with Feels This Good, her track with Sigala and Steflon Don.
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