UNITED KINGDOM: National Final on 26th February...

So finally we have news! The BBC have announced that they'll be holding a National Final to select the UK's entry for Eurovision on 26th February. We've known since September that the public would have a say in the song representing us in Stockholm, but this is the first time we've known what form this would take.

There's loads of interesting stuff to talk about when it comes to the way the National Final, and even when it comes to Eurovision on the BBC as a whole. For example we now know that both the National Final and the Eurovision Semi-Finals will be shown on digital channel BBC Four. While former home BBC Three will no longer be on our televisions by then, this marks a stark change of pace when it comes to how the BBC choose to broadcast their Eurovision output.

Electro Velvet finished 24th in Vienna last year.

Known for documentaries and high brow programming, we will definitely have a new demographic having an influence on our choice of Eurovision entry. No bad thing in my opinion. For me it also gives hope that the UK will no longer portray Eurovision as some sort of cheesy joke. While the rest of Europe dismiss our attempts of Eurovision glory as nothing more than a weak gimmick, countries like Belgium (in 2015) have shown what is actually possible when thought and planning goes into an entry.

Another thing...where's Graham Norton? The supposed face of Eurovision on the BBC has been replaced as the host of the National Final by last year's semi final co-host Mel Giedroyc. She was a fan favourite during the broadcasts, and appears to have nudged ahead of Scott Mills when it comes to the first choice back up for Graham.

Giedroyc is know for hosting Great British Bake Off

The venue for the National Final is also something of interest. The artists competing to represent the UK will not be performing in a plain and characterless BBC studio, but interest find themselves in the much more intimate environment of The O2 Forum in London's Kentish Town. Another good decision for me, as we'll be able to get a good idea of how the competitors react to a live audience, something they'll definitely have to get used to if successful.

The stage is set for the United Kingdom to perform well in this year's contest. With hardcore Eurovision fans having already had a say in the shortlist for the final, we should have six high quality songs battling it out for the ticket to Stockholm.

Well done to the BBC, you've restored our faith in you.

Rob

UPDATE
- Since publishing we know now that the six songs competing to represent the United Kingdom will be premiered on Ken Bruce's Radio 2 show on Monday 22nd February 2016.