Delta Goodrem representing Australia in the Eurovision

[Dogladyloveswine]

Delta Goodrem is an existing pop star, worth $24 Million. I thought the Eurovision was meant to be for singers who weren't already pop stars.

I mean, why don't we just send the Rolling Stones then? Or Ed Sheeran? Where does it end? 😳

Katrina and the waves were an existing group before representing Great Britain and winning in 1997

Growing up in the 70s/80s, lots of families in this country watched it in the same way they watched Miss World, and there wasn't a lot else to watch. It was never cool, and as a young adult it was barely on my radar and was just seen as cheesy with music that no credible British artist would perform in. In more recent years it has become increasingly camp and over the top, and lots of people have embraced that and have parties, so it is definitely more popular than it was 30-40 years ago, particularly amongst young people.

@Dogladyloveswine havent read the full thread so apologies if someone already pointed this out but it was actually just front man Justin Hawkins from the Darkness who entered a song into our national selection, back when it was a televised popular vote rather than behind the scenes exec choice. He lost out to Scooch! (I’m a Eurovision nerd)

Many countries have sent big name singers from their own country. She looks to be having a fantastic time, and has been getting into the spirit of it. Australians aren't going to care if she comes last. She's a cancer survivor, then had to learn to speak and sing again in 2018 after surgery left her tongue paralysed. A nil point at eurovision isn't going to slow her down!

Sandy Shaw, the first UK winner, had had number one success before she did Eurovision.

It's happened 7 times before where the previous year's winner (or one of the previous year's winners, in the case of 1970) didn't host the following year - and 5 of those times were picked up by the UK to host.

It's a fair basic ideal to have the last year's winner host this year; but there are several scenarios in which it just won't ever be practical:

1. Australia - too far away for the vast majority, plus very different time zone
2. Iceland, San Marino, Monaco and other very small/low-population countries - insufficient infrastructure for all of the participants and visitors
3. Unstable countries e.g. in the middle of a war (regardless of whether or not they are generally welcomed to participate)
4. Very poor countries who just couldn't ever hope to afford it

Out of curiosity why wouldn't/couldn't it be held in Aus (apart from being on the other side of the planet that is)?

Delta Goodrem, singer/actor. She was on Neighbours in 2002.

I’d rather have Delta than the abomination that is the UK entry this year.

That made me chortle.

No, we have often had stars doing the performance; think Cliff Richard, Lulu, Sandi Shaw, Bonnie Tyler, Engelbert Humperdinck. Blue.

Other countries too have their well known performers in the Eurovision, Abba were big in Sweden when they won and attained international stardom.

It's the song that is written by someone unknown.

PS: Since when has Australia been in Europe?

I would say the reason big names at the peak of their careers don't do Eurovision is precisely because being a big name at the peak of your career is no guarantee of winning. Instead they risk reputational damage or becoming a laughing stock at home due to being beaten by something a lot of people would never consider listening to.

Delta is unlikely to win though I think she'll do well. Does it give her massive coverage in very many countries? Yes. Is she likely to damage her career or become a laughing stock? No because on the whole Australia is viewed favourably in Eurovision and her career trajectory is probably on the decline. She has loyal fans, but she's not a Sam Ryder with a massive social media following looking to break into the mainstream. She's a great performer.

@AgnesX it’s part of their participation agreement that they won’t host if they win (due to time zone causing broadcast difficulties, cost for delegates to attend etc). They are also an associate of the EBU not an actual member and only members can host. It’s not definitive who would host in their behalf, could be 1 of the big 4 (UK, Germany, Italy France) the runner up country the year they win or a private agreement with another participant nation.

@LBFseBrom is about being a member of the EBU, not actually in Europe. Australia loves Eurovision because so many people there have European backgrounds. I believe they were invited to take part and have been doing so since 2015.

Since when is Australia part of Europe ? Why are they there ? Does anyone know.

We used to send established pop stars - Sandie Shaw, Cliff Richard, Lulu but that seems to have stopped.

Read the thread. This gets asked every year and the answer doesn't change!

That song was perfect for the era though, with all the Europop floating around!

Gina G Ooh Aah was ace!

Was nominated for a Grammy too!

Thing is, I bet you remember the song. Can anyone remember some of the absolute tosh we have entered in other years?

Had Russia not invaded Ukraine I think Sam Ryder would have won in 2022. And not we not had a global pandemic, Iceland would have won in 2020.

Boy George also participated for a different country, didn't he?

I couldn't really get worked up about it. If Autrallia want to join in, more fool them 😂

Goodness, I knew about the cancer but I did not know that last bit. Poor woman, she's been through more than most!

Celine Dion represented Switzerland. She's Canadian. Lots of artists have represented different countries than their own.

Delta dated Brian McFadden, poor woman.

Thanks for explaining

I used to like Terry Wogan’s little comments. I didn’t think of them as snideness. Just wit.