As the Eurovision Song Contest prepares to celebrate its historic 70th birthday this May, BBC Radio 2 has officially opened the polls for listeners to crown their Ultimate Eurovision Superstar. The ambitious search launched this morning on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show, the UK’s most-listened-to breakfast program, inviting fans to navigate seven decades of musical glitter and glory.
70 Years, 70 Icons
The Radio 2 team has meticulously curated a shortlist of 70 legendary artists, representing every era of the contest from the 1960s to the present day. The list is a testament to the contest's power as a global launchpad, featuring megastars who parlayed their appearances into worldwide fame, as well as cult heroes whose three-minute performances left an indelible mark on European pop culture.
The star-studded shortlist includes:
The Legends: ABBA, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, and Olivia Newton-John.
UK Favorites: Sam Ryder, Bucks Fizz, Lulu, Katrina and the Waves, and Michael Ball.
Modern Royalty: Loreen, Måneskin, Conchita Wurst, Käärijä, and 2024 winner Nemo.
"The contest has produced some of the most unforgettable pop moments ever," says host Scott Mills. "From ABBA declaring 'Waterloo' to the world to Bucks Fizz’s legendary skirt-rip, we’ve pulled together an incredible shortlist. Now, Radio 2 listeners get to decide who deserves the ultimate 12 points."
How to Vote and When to Listen
The vote is officially open and will remain so until 9:30 AM on Tuesday, March 31. The highly anticipated results will be the centerpiece of Radio 2’s Eurovision Super Saturday on May 16.
Mega-fan Sophie Ellis-Bextor will host the countdown from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, revealing which artist the British public has deemed the greatest in the competition's history. For those who can't wait for the live broadcast, the special show will be available exclusively on BBC Sounds starting Monday, April 27.
Following the success of last year's poll, which saw Sam Ryder’s "Space Man" named the Ultimate 21st Century Eurovision Song, this 70th-anniversary celebration promises to be the station’s most definitive tribute to the contest yet.
