The United Kingdom as the BBC kicks off this year’s British national selection. ”Eurovision- Your Country Needs You” will take place every Saturday of this month, and tonight is the introductory show. Stay tuned to oikotimes.com for the next hour for live commentary.

To start the show we’re shown a montage of when Andrew Lloyd Webber made the announcement that he would write the British entry, as well as clips of famous people and bands such as McFly wishing him the best of luck.

We’re now taken into Andrew’s bunker, where we meet both him and Miss. Frobisher. Some of the video entries have now been shown, mostly the comedic ones! Andrew had said that he will start writing the song once he has an idea of the finalists.

We’re now seeing an interview by Graham Norton with Dima Bilan whilst he was filming a video in London. He revealed that Vladimir Putin sent him a congratulatory telegram, and advised that the UK “takes it a little more seriously this time”.

Now here’s a turn-up! Colin Barlow, a record company executive will be standing shoulder to shoulder with Lord Webber this year. Barlow has managed bands such as Take That and Girls Aloud, has had 15 number ones, and has sold over 40 million albums as a producer.

It’s the face-to-face auditions! First up was ‘Damien’, who sang at a piano and impressed both Andrew and Colin. Also impressing were Charlotte from Essex, and Victor. Sheffield twins Francine & Nicola were called ”terrific”, before some girlgroups perform. Soloists Hayley & Michelle were brought in to duet and were also thought to have Eurovision potential.

John Humphries was drafted in to help Lord Webber learn to ”interview” before he jets off to Russia. ”Did you rig it?!” is the suggested first question! And Andrew is off to see Mr. Putin!

Back in the UK, those acts with ‘potential’ are now in a workshop before their final auditions.

In Moscow, Graham Norton has correctly pointed out that the Olympic Arena is huge, and so an ‘unknown’ singer could struggle there. After meeting some Russian Eurovision fans who say that the UK must send better singers, they have one more meeting with Dima- and ask him to tell everyone to vote for the UK.

Back to the workship, and Anita & Katie have both been belting out some tunes. Andrew is now in Poland, checking up on some of his musicals and trying to secure some more votes. On to Hungary, where it appears that everyone loves him! Mark from Wales, and Rita from London sing very nicely before Charlotte is again on stage- feeling much more confident. Both of the twins are crying due to ”excitement”.

Andrew has held an Ambassador’s reception in the Capital at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, with some tradition British food!

It’s now time for the final selection before we know the final six…

First up are the ”Emperors of Soul”, with whom Andrew suggest he could have “a good time writing”. 17-Year old Charlotte impressed the judges too. On to two girls bands- the first being more traditional, and and the second more ‘rough’ who lamost took the roof off. Single mum Anita is described as ”the classic understudy”, and 17-year old Katie seems to have gone down very well. Rita from London seems to be the ideal solo performer, and now we go on to the boys.

Victor- with new hairstyle- sings ”Love changes everything” and has impressed Lord Webber, as did Marc from North Wales. Damien also seems to be highly thought of by the judges. Last up are the twins- who are an iteresting proposition and get very emotional.

Decision time:

Emperors of Soul (an all-male vocal harmony band)
Charlotte
Damien
The Twins
Mark
Jade

Rita turned down the offer after deciding that it wasn’t for her.

You can see the show here – http://atdhe.net/watchtv.php?b=1