Will the UK still be allowed to enter the Eurovision Song Contest following Brexit?
EACH year millions of Brits settle down to watch an eclectic mix of singers, dancers and performers represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest.
But what happens when we leave the European Union – will the UK still be allowed to join in the annual fun? Read on to find out…
Will the UK still be allowed to enter the Eurovision Song Contest after Brexit?
There were fears the UK would not be allowed to enter the Eurovision Song Contest after Brexit.
As a major TV partner, the UK is normally guaranteed a place in the grand final each year.
But even before the vote to leave the European Union former Prime Minister David Cameron had to reassure fans of the show.
During PMQs he told MPs: “I think that would not only be very sad but I think given that Israel and Azerbaijan and anyone anywhere near Europe seems to be able to – (even) Australia – I think we’re pretty safe from that one.”
The president of the UK Eurovision fan club, Alasdair Rendall, also told fans Britain’s place is not under threat.
He said: “No, we would not be barred. All participating countries must be a member of the European Broadcasting Union.
“The EBU, which is totally independent of the EU, includes countries both inside and outside of the EU, and also includes countries such as Israel that are outside of Europe.
“Indeed, the UK started participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957, 16 years before joining the then EEC.”
And Theresa May put everyone’s mind at rest when she said the country would not be dropping out of the popular contest.
What has Theresa May said about the Eurovision Song Contest after Brexit?
The Prime Minster said the UK would still be a part of the Eurovision Song Contest after Brexit.
Asked if Britain would leave Eurovision during the 2017 General Election campaign, she replied: “No.”
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However she did admit that the UK’s decision to pull out of the European Union might cause problems for our entry.
Mrs May joked: “Although in current circumstances I’m not sure how many votes we’ll get.”
The scheduled date for the UK to leave the European Union is March 29 2019, meaning the country has just one more attempt at winning Eurovision before it is out of the EU.
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