After withdrawing from the contest in 2006, could we be seeing a return of the United Kingdom to Junior Eurovision in 2022 or 2023? Martin Österdahl seems hopeful!
Executive Supervisor for Eurovision and Junior Eurovision, Martin Österdahl, revealed in a press conference at Junior Eurovision 2021 in Paris last December, that the European Broadcasting Union is working hard to bring all members of the “Big 5” to Junior Eurovision: “It’s possible we can get the BBC to join.”
The “Big 5” countries – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom, have all participated in Junior Eurovision at some point during the contests’ 19 year run, but they have never participated all together in the same contest.
The United Kingdom at Junior Eurovision
The United Kingdom were one of the inaugural 16 countries to take part in the very first contest in 2003. They got off to a good start when Tom Morley finished in 3rd place with his song “My Song For The World”. Their success continued in 2004 when Cory Spedding finished in 2nd place with her song “The Best Is Yet To Come”.
The United Kingdom’s last participation came in 2005, when Joni Fuller sang her self-penned entry “How Does It Feel?” The country withdrew from the contest in 2006 due to low viewing figures.
The United Kingdom and their broadcaster ITV had originally been chosen by the European Broadcasting Union to host the 2004 contest; however, they pulled out of the race in May 2004 due to financial and scheduling problems. The 2004 contest eventually went to Norway.
Would you like to see the United Kingdom returning to Junior Eurovision? Which British entry is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!