The BBC has announced classic 1980s songwriter/producer Pete Waterman will produce this year's UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. The multi award-winning music maestro has been responsible for producing and writing more than 200 hits in over 25 years, working with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Donna Summer, Geri Halliwell, Westlife, Bananarama, Steps, Rick Astley and Dead Or Alive. Waterman's song will be performed at Eurovision 2010, which takes place in Oslo in May. He said: "Eurovision is one of those iconic competitions that has stood the test of time and keeps coming up with great acts, great tunes and great performances. "Life's full of challenges and I'm relishing the opportunity to put my own stamp on this one." One of the highest-grossing producers of all time, Waterman's music career as songwriter, manager, producer, radio and TV presenter and DJ spans three decades. This is the first time Pete has been directly involved in the Eurovision Song Contest. During the 1980s, Coventry-born Pete was a member of the recording trio Stock Aitken Waterman. Their first number one hit was Dead Or Alive's You Spin Me Round. Pete Waterman holds numerous awards, including several Ivor Novellos. In 2004 he was honoured with an OBE for his services to music. Executive Producer Phil Parsons said: "This year, with an extremely successful pop writer, the aim is to build on the UK's success while moving on in style and doing something different. "Pete Waterman has an incredible track record of hits that are known all around Europe so we're thrilled that he has taken on Eurovision." Details for the selection process for the act that will perform the song will be announced at a later date.
