Sarah Cawood has slammed the BBC for its approach to the Eurovision Song Contest, claiming it leaves the UK "represented by a band they don't know, singing a song they didn't choose".
The presenter has hosted BBC Three’s coverage of the event in the past, but in a column for Attitude magazine she complained that the broadcaster's approach of choosing the act to represent the country themselves was all wrong.
This year the UK act chosen by the BBC is Electro Velvet, who will be performing Still In Love With You.
Sarah wrote: “You only have to glance across your social media platforms on Eurovision night to see that the UK love this s**t and the event itself remains one of the highest-rated shows the BBC has each year.
“I have never understood the arrogance of the Beeb which results in the UK public having little or no say in who represents our fine country at Eurovision.
“Even when we have been given the choice of artist, we still haven’t been given a choice of song. The BBC seem obsessed with either sending faded superstars (Bonnie Tyler and Engelbert Humperdinck) or PWL wannabes woefully out of touch with the times (Josh Dubovie singing a Pete Waterman B side and Scooch).”
However, Sarah thought there had been one good choice of late: “The only real contender in recent years for me has been Blue. Great band, great song and what’s more: they had a European fan base."
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest can be seen on Saturday May 23 on BBC1.
Press Association.
