Why Britain Keeps Scoring 'Nul Points' at Eurovision

Jan de Vries · 2026-09-18

Every spring, millions of people across Europe settle in to watch the Eurovision Song Contest. And every spring, British viewers ask the same question: why do we keep losing? Now, Members of Parliament have decided it's time to find out. They're launching an investigation into how the UK selects its entry — and why the country's results have been so disappointing for over a decade. ### A Decade of Disappointment Let's be honest about the numbers. The UK hasn't won Eurovision since 1997, when Katrina and the Waves took home the trophy with "Love Shine a Light." Since then, it's been a rough ride. - Multiple last-place finishes in the grand final - Several years of "nul points" — the dreaded zero score - A string of entries that failed to connect with voters It's not just bad luck. Something about the British approach isn't working. ### What MPs Want to Know The investigation will look at how the BBC chooses its act and song each year. Questions include: - Who gets a say in the selection process? - Are politics or internal preferences getting in the way? - Why do other countries seem to have a clearer strategy? As one observer put it: "Talent isn't the problem. The system is." That quote captures the frustration many fans feel. The UK has plenty of musical talent. So why does it keep falling flat on the Eurovision stage? ### What Other Countries Do Differently Countries like Sweden and Italy have built strong national selection shows. These competitions let the public pick the entry, building excitement months before the final. The UK has tried similar approaches, but they've often felt rushed or half-hearted. Without a consistent strategy, momentum fades fast. ### Why This Matters Beyond Music Eurovision is more than a song contest. It's a cultural event watched by hundreds of millions worldwide. Doing well — or poorly — shapes how the UK is seen across Europe. For fans, the MPs' investigation offers a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this leads to real change. A fresh approach. A genuine shot at the top of the scoreboard again. Or maybe it's just another round of questions without answers. Only time will tell.