Paul Gambaccini backs Scotlands Eurovision entry
You will remember earlier, we reported that the EBU confirmed that Scotland can enter their own Eurovision entry, if they want to.
Well now The Times news online reports that Paul Gambaccini, the broadcaster and pop historian, is supporting Scotland’s bid to have its own Eurovision song contest entry.
The veteran DJ claims Scotland would stand a better chance of success than the UK because England’s sneering approach to the competition has made it unpopular with other European countries.
Gambaccini claims Scotland would be able to draw on a wide range of talent, including established artists, as opposed to the “lightweight” English entries in recent years.
He argues that splitting the UK into its constituent countries would also allow Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to vote for each other — counteracting the block voting of the former Soviet bloc countries — and guaranteeing an end to the dreaded “nul points”.
Jemini, the artist representing the UK in 2003, received no votes. Andy Abraham, the former bin man and X-Factor finalist, finished in joint last place this year with a dismal 14 points.
“In Scotland, there’s Annie Lennox, there’s KT Tunstall. These are artists who are more major than the ones England is putting forward on behalf of the country,” said Gambaccini, author of The Complete Eurovision Song Contest Companion.
“The present system is broken. It’s broken because of the ethnic voting and the way the UK generates its song — the best artists and writers don’t go for it and that’s got to change.
“The UK government has never taken it seriously. You can’t expect to laugh at a competition and win it. Most of the other European countries are not laughing, they are trying to win it.”
The European Broadcasting Union said there is nothing to prevent Scotland entering. Its decision followed lobbying by Alyn Smith, a Scottish Nationalist party member of the European parliament. The move is backed by Linda Fabiani, the culture minister.
Well now The Times news online reports that Paul Gambaccini, the broadcaster and pop historian, is supporting Scotland’s bid to have its own Eurovision song contest entry.
The veteran DJ claims Scotland would stand a better chance of success than the UK because England’s sneering approach to the competition has made it unpopular with other European countries.
Gambaccini claims Scotland would be able to draw on a wide range of talent, including established artists, as opposed to the “lightweight” English entries in recent years.
He argues that splitting the UK into its constituent countries would also allow Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to vote for each other — counteracting the block voting of the former Soviet bloc countries — and guaranteeing an end to the dreaded “nul points”.
Jemini, the artist representing the UK in 2003, received no votes. Andy Abraham, the former bin man and X-Factor finalist, finished in joint last place this year with a dismal 14 points.
“In Scotland, there’s Annie Lennox, there’s KT Tunstall. These are artists who are more major than the ones England is putting forward on behalf of the country,” said Gambaccini, author of The Complete Eurovision Song Contest Companion.
“The present system is broken. It’s broken because of the ethnic voting and the way the UK generates its song — the best artists and writers don’t go for it and that’s got to change.
“The UK government has never taken it seriously. You can’t expect to laugh at a competition and win it. Most of the other European countries are not laughing, they are trying to win it.”
The European Broadcasting Union said there is nothing to prevent Scotland entering. Its decision followed lobbying by Alyn Smith, a Scottish Nationalist party member of the European parliament. The move is backed by Linda Fabiani, the culture minister.
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