BBC faces backlash for Electro Velvet Eurovision choice
By Nick Bond
While they were never going to please everyone, it seems the BBC have left quite a few cold with the act they’ve selected to represent the UK at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Pop/swing duo Electro Velvet were this weekend announced as the act we’ll be sending to Austria in May, and their song, Still In Love With You, is proving a divisive pick.
The backlash has extended from Twitter to mainstream media outlets – even the Guardian got in on the Velvet-bashing, asking ‘Is Electro Velvet the UK’s worst Eurovision entrant ever?‘
Just heard our Eurovision entry. Doomed again.
— Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) March 7, 2015
Good luck to the UK for Eurovision, just heard it…Not my thing…but…er… I’m sure they’ll have fun! BBC please at least PROMOTE! — Kitty Brucknell (@kittybrucknell) March 7, 2015
Electro Velvet may be the worst band name ever.
— Dani O (@ohagandaaz) March 7, 2015
I’m appalled at this garbage by electro velvet god this is bad — V I X – G R A C E (@victoriaPOW) March 7, 2015
Sending my condolences to the UK. Electro Velvet aren’t just bad, they’re horrible. Again, America is sorry for you. #Eurovision2015
— Matthew Duclos (@BBmdduc16) March 8, 2015
Have a look at the video below and decide for yourself if the hate is justified:
Many have also pointed out that the last time the UK entered a male/female duo in the contest, with Jemini in 2003 and their tuneless pop ditty Cry Baby, we ended up with zero points.
The UK’s only appearance in the Eurovision top 10 in the past decade came with sometime-Sugababe Jade Ewan’s 2009 power-ballad It’s My Time, which placed fifth. Do Electro Velvet have what it takes to better that?