It’s been decades since the UK last lifted the Eurovision trophy—can Remember Monday finally end the long wait?
As Remember Monday gear up to represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, fans across the country are once again daring to hope. Could this country-pop trio be the act to restore some long-lost Eurovision pride?
With high-energy harmonies and a bold track titled What the Hell Just Happened?, Remember Monday are aiming for a spot in Saturday’s grand final - and perhaps even a Top 10 finish.
But when was the last time the UK actually won Eurovision? Let’s turn back the clock.
Make sure you check out Sam Eaton's tips for the Grand Final which feature a 25/1 shot.
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When Was The UK's Last Eurovision Win
The United Kingdom last tasted Eurovision glory in 1997, when Katrina and the Waves stole the show with their infectious anthem Love Shine a Light. Scoring 227 points, the band finished a massive 70 points ahead of Ireland, who hosted the contest that year. It was the UK’s fifth Eurovision victory, adding to previous wins in 1967, 1969 (shared), 1976 and 1981.
Since that night in Dublin, the UK’s Eurovision fortunes have waned dramatically. In the 28 contests since 1997, the UK has endured five last-place finishes.
While there have been occasional bright spots - Imaani's second place in 1998 and Sam Ryder’s euphoric return to form in 2022, finishing second with Space Man - they’ve been exceptions, not the rule.
Even Ryder’s success, coming after two consecutive last-place finishes in 2019 and 2021, now looks more like a blip than a breakthrough.
In the wake of Ryder’s performance, expectations were raised. But they were quickly dashed. In 2023, Mae Muller finished 25th with I Wrote a Song.
A year later, Olly Alexander - frontman of Years & Years - failed to impress with Dizzy, finishing a lowly 18th despite a bold performance.
The BBC’s internal selection process, aimed at bringing contemporary, marketable talent to the contest, hasn’t quite cracked the code just yet. And with only two Top 10 finishes since 2000, the UK remains one of Eurovision’s underperformers in the modern era.
Can Remember Monday Change the Narrative?
This year’s hopefuls, Remember Monday, are trying to buck the trend. The three-piece group - Charlotte, Lauren, and Holly-Anne - bring tight harmonies and a genre rarely seen on the Eurovision stage: country-pop. They’re also the UK’s first girl group to compete since Precious in 1999.
Their track, What the Hell Just Happened?, is packed with dramatic key changes and vocal flourishes designed for the Eurovision stage.
bookmakers currently price the UK at 150/1 (Unibet) to win - though odds as short as 50/1 suggest some believe in an upset.
Still, with just 1% of the vote in the Eurovisionworld poll, a win may be unlikely. But a respectable finish might be within reach.
