21 May 2023 , 10:29
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BBC bosses reportedly “want Sophie Ellis-Bexter” as the UK’s entry for the 2024 Eurovison Song Contest, following the disappointment of this year’s choice.
The Beeb has come under heavy fire following this year’s choice coming in second from last place in the Liverpool final last week, as the contest was hosted in the UK for the first time in 25 years.
Mae Muller entered with her hit I Wrote A Song, which failed to impress the rest of Europe.
She declared after the results that she was ‘disappointed but proud’ after she bombed in the final.
Sophie Ellis-Bexter has been tipped as the UK's next entry (ITV)The 25-year-old singer-songwriter gave her all on when she belted out her tune, but her energetic performance failed to capture the attention of the Eurozone and she tanked in the points department - scraping together just 24 points from the jury and public to land in second last place just ahead of Germany.
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Following the performance, and subsequent stinging criticism, BBC bosses are now reported to be keen to sign up Murder On The Dancefloor singer Sophie for next year in the hopes of turning the UK’s fortunes around.
Sophie, 44, already has an established following and gained a new wave of fans in the Coronavirus lockdowns when she Kitchen Disco videos proved a hit and landed her a Radio 2 show of the same name.
The Corporation is said to be taking back control of the Eurovision selection process after handing the responsibility over to an external company in 2021, in a desperate bid to turn the UK’s fortunes around.
Mae Muller came in second to last place (Getty Images)A music industry source told the MailOnline : “At the moment there is only one artist on the BBC's list for Eurovision 2024, and they don't intend to add to it.
“Sophie Ellis-Bexter is seen as the ideal fit for the contest – she's a great singer and performer, and she is already known to audiences, both straight and gay, across Europe.
“The criticism the BBC has received over the decision to pick Mae Muller this year has been quite savage.”