United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014


The United Kingdom participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The British entry was selected through an internal selection, organised by the British broadcaster BBC. The announcement of the selected artist and song was revealed on 3 March 2014 in a show entitled The UK Launch, and broadcast via the BBC Red Button service.
Molly Smitten-Downes represented the United Kingdom with the song "Children of the Universe". Despite being one of the favourites to win, Molly finished in 17th place with a score of 40 points in the final. That was United Kingdom's 4th best placing since the introduction of the semi finals.

Internal selection

BBC confirmed that the United Kingdom would participate in the 2014 contest on 1 October 2013. On 19 February 2014, the BBC confirmed that the United Kingdom would once again opt for an internal selection. On 28 February 2014, the executive producer and head of delegation of Eurovision for the BBC, Guy Freeman, announced in his blog that the British artist and song would be revealed on 3 March 2014 at 19:30 on the BBC Red Button service by semi-finals commentator Scott Mills. Eurovision.tv also broadcast the show on their Web TV service for international viewers.
On 3 March 2014, the BBC announced that Molly Smitten-Downes would represent the United Kingdom with the song "Children of the Universe".

At Eurovision

As a member of the "Big Five", the United Kingdom automatically qualified for a place in the final, held on 10 May 2014. In addition to their participation in the final, United Kingdom was assigned to vote in the second semi-final on 8 May 2014. During the British delegation's press conference on 6 May 2014, United Kingdom was allocated to compete in the second half of the final. In the final, the producers of the show decided that United Kingdom would close the show and perform 26th, following San Marino. United Kingdom placed 17th in the final, scoring 40 points.
On stage, Molly was joined by drummer Joe Yoshida and four backing vocalists: Lincoln Jean-Marie, Katie Holmes, Victoria Beaumont, and Sharleen Linton. The British performance featured Molly performing in front of a stage set-up that included the drummer in the centre with two backing vocalists on each side. The LED screens project floral patterns and Chinese lanterns.
In the United Kingdom, the semi-finals were broadcast on BBC Three with commentary by Scott Mills and Laura Whitmore. The second semi-final was simulcast on BBC Radio 2 Eurovision, a pop-up DAB station, with commentary from Ana Matronic. The final was broadcast on BBC One with commentary by Graham Norton. The final was broadcast via radio on BBC Radio 2 and on Radio 2 Eurovision with commentary by Ken Bruce. Highlights of the final were broadcast on Radio 2 Eurovision the following day. The British spokesperson revealing the result of the British vote in the final was Scott Mills.

Points awarded to the United Kingdom

Points awarded by United Kingdom

Semi-final 2

Points awarded in second semi-final:
12 points
10 points
8 points
7 points
6 points
5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 point

Final

Points awarded in the final:
12 points
10 points
8 points
7 points
6 points
5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 point

Split voting results

The following five members comprised the British jury:
The British votes in the second semi-final were based on 50% jury voting and 50% televoting results.

Final

The British votes in the grand final were based on 50% jury voting and 50% televoting results.