Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK humiliated in Eurovision 'post-Iraq backlash'

Charles Begley
Sunday 25 May 2003 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The UK received an unprecedented "nul points" in last night's Eurovision Song Contest in Latvia, in what BBC commentator Terry Wogan called a "post-Iraq backlash".

Never before in 48 years of the extravaganza had the UK failed to register a single vote. Gemma Abbey - one half of the UK entry Jemini - was reduced to tears as a verdict was delivered that appeared to paint the country as the pariah of Europe.

The song was written by Martin Isherwood, head of music at Sir Paul McCartney's fame school, the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live's Up All Night programme, he insisted the song was "great" and that the competition itself was " a complete and utter lottery" and "extremely political".

Mr Isherwood said: "I think politically we are out on a limb at the moment. As a country I think we paid the price last night"

Victory went to Turkey, which observers noted may have benefited from its resistance to the US in the build-up to the war in Iraq. Second was Belgium, with the controversial Russian duo Tatu in third place. Not even those countries which received votes from the UK could find it in them to reciprocate. These included Ireland, to whom the UK gave its top mark of 12 votes.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in