Entertainment
Bill Bailey reveals ‘silly’ Eurovision pitch was rejected as he criticises James Newman’s ‘underwhelming’ efforts
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Bill Bailey has revealed he once made a Eurovision Song Contest submission but it was rejected for being ‘too silly’.
The Strictly Come Dancing winner has pledged to represent the UK at Eurovision 2022 after James Newman disastrously received nil points with his entry song, Embers, last weekend.
However, it won’t be Bill’s first attempt at flying the flag for the country as he revealed on Good Morning Britain: ‘A few years ago I sent a submission to Eurovision and it was a kind of spoof eco-anthem in the style of Dad’s Army.
‘And the BBC said “it’s too silly”, we can’t have that. And I just thought, well this taking it seriously, that’s not going well either is it.’
Susanna Reid then advised: ‘Dust off the eco-anthem and send it in because we’re kind of desperate aren’t we.’
Sharing his review of Newman’s performance this year, Bill said: ‘It was a serviceable song and performance, I just think we’re missing the trick a bit. We need to celebrate the eccentricity of Britishness.
‘It’s well put together but it’s a bit underwhelming, a bit bland. There’s always something percolating [in my mind], a rock song, maybe have a giant badger.
‘I don’t know what it is. We’re not taking it seriously enough and taking it too seriously. We’ve got it the wrong way round. We should focus on the performance, the visuals and make it big and celebrate Britishness.’
He then joked: ‘Some cow bells, there’s not enough cow horns in it.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
The comedian continued: ‘There has to be a bit more drama, a bit more theatre. That’s what this show is about it’s a huge celebration.
‘Some of it is bonkers. There’s something that we really need to channel, even if it’s a bit over the top, a bit eccentric.
‘That’s something that’s been lacking.’
After the UK’s embarrassing result, Bill put himself up for the challenge next year and tweeted: ‘I’d be happy to throw my hat in the ring for #Eurovision 2022.’
Eurovision 2021 was won by Italy’s Maneskin group, who received 524 points.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your views in the comments below.
