Today marks a significant moment for Eurovision fans as Scott Mills, the famed BBC presenter and Eurovision commentator, revealed on his radio show, The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, the United Kingdom's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has been selected. While Mills was tight-lipped about the specifics, he did express enthusiasm about the entry, simply stating, "it's good!" This announcement confirms the BBC's commitment to maintaining its presence at the annual contest, scheduled this year to take place on the Basel stage.
The choice of performer and song will be officially revealed before the March deadline established by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Scott Mills' statement adds some intrigue as it marks the first public acknowledgment from the BBC about the chosen act.
The selection of the UK entry has been the result of extensive efforts, led by music industry veteran David May, alongside Andrew Cartmell, the Executive Producer of BBC Studios North. Their collaboration with UK record labels, publishers, songwriters, and BBC Music has been pivotal to this process, which began shortly after the BBC confirmed its participation last July.
David May, who previously managed Sam Ryder—who achieved the UK's best result since 1998, finishing second with "Space Man"—is at the forefront of this effort. With over seventeen years of experience, May aims to find talent and songs reflective of the unique essence of UK music and capable of delivering powerful performances on the Eurovision stage.
Each year, Eurovision invites countries to showcase their musical talents, and the UK holds an extensive history with the contest, having first participated back in 1957. Holding the record for the most consecutive appearances, the UK boasts five victories and numerous runner-up positions. Despite its storied past, the UK has faced challenges at Eurovision recently, especially last year when Olly Alexander represented the country with the song "Dizzy" but only placed 18th, much to the disappointment of fans.
The excitement surrounding Mills' early listening experience of the UK entry highlights the anticipation as the public eagerly awaits the reveal. Mills playfully dodged questions about the song and performer during his show, creating buzz among listeners. After announcing his input as part of the selection process, he remarked, "I’m probably not supposed to say this. I heard our Eurovision song yesterday," followed by Tina Daheley’s astonished response.
Alongside the official announcement, the EBU has confirmed the dates for this year’s contest, with the semi-finals scheduled for May 13 and 15, culminating in the grand final on May 17 at the St Jakobshalle arena. This format allows participating countries to maximize their exposure through multiple performances, with intense anticipation each year for the culmination of talent on display.
Acknowledging the ups and downs of the UK's previous performances, radio host Alesha Dixon expressed optimism about the potential resurgence of enthusiasm for Eurovision among the British public. Dixon reflected on the years when viewers felt detached from the contest, saying, "There were quite a few years where a lot of people in the UK lost faith in Eurovision, didn’t they? They kind of felt like, ‘Oh, we never have a chance.’" Yet she remains hopeful, believing recent successes, particularly with artists like Sam Ryder, have rekindled interest and support for the UK's participations, dubbing it as having faced "a massive resurgence".
Fans from across the UK are invited to engage and express their opinions on who they believe should represent the country, opening dialogue and excitement within the community as anticipation for the contest builds. The young audience across various social media platforms is encouraged to stay tuned for the latest updates from platforms like @ESCXTRA on Twitter and other channels, ensuring they're part of the conversation leading up to the event.
With less than four months until the grand final, the spotlight is now firmly on both the performer and the song, as the UK aims to reclaim its position among the frontrunners at Eurovision 2025, striving for their first win since 1997. Excitement continues to mount as the date approaches, fostering community enthusiasm for what is set to be another vibrant display of music from across Europe.