United Kingdom in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022
| Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country |  United Kingdom | |||
| National selection | ||||
| Selection process | Internal selection | |||
| Selection date(s) | 3 November 2022 | |||
| Selected entrant | Freya Skye | |||
| Selected song | "Lose My Head" | |||
| Selected songwriter(s) | Jack Hawitt Amber van Day Falco van den Aker | |||
| United Kingdom in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest | ||||
| ||||
The United Kingdom is set to compete in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Armenia, which will be held on 11 December 2022 in Yerevan. On 25 August 2022, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced that the country would return to the contest after a sixteen-year absence, replacing ITV who previously organised the country’s participation in the contest between 2003 and 2005. The BBC selected Freya Skye as their entrant.
Background
Prior to the 2022 contest, the United Kingdom had participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest three times since its first entry in the inaugural contest in 2003, with their best result being in 2004 when they finished in second position with the song "The Best is Yet to Come", performed by Cory Spedding.[1] The United Kingdom was due to host the event in Manchester in 2004, but pulled out due to financial and scheduling issues.[2][3] In the 2005 contest, Joni Fuller represented the country in Hasselt, Belgium with the song "How Does It Feel?". The song ended 14th out of 16 entries with 28 points.[4]
ITV withdrew from the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006, after poor viewing figures in 2004 and 2005. Wales took part independently in the 2018 and 2019 contests. Until 2020, neither ITV nor the BBC expressed any interest in returning to the contest, until the BBC expressed an interest in returning for the 2020 contest in Warsaw.[5] The UK did not appear on the official list of participants as released by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on 8 September 2020.[6] At a Junior Eurovision press event in May 2021, the EBU stated that they were working to bring the UK back to the contest, possibly for the 2021 edition.[7] However, once again the UK did not appear on the final list of participants for the contest in Paris. On 17 December 2021, at a press conference between France Télévisions and the executive supervisor of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest Martin Österdahl, Österdahl stated that he was positive about talks between the EBU and the BBC about a potential UK return.[8] On 25 August 2022, it was confirmed that the UK would return for the 2022 contest in Yerevan, with the BBC replacing ITV as the country’s participating broadcaster.[9][10]
Before Junior Eurovision
Upon the broadcaster's announcement that they would participate in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022, Patricia Hidalgo Reina, director of BBC Children's and Education, stated:
"We are beyond excited to bring the Junior Eurovision Song Contest to the BBC for the first time, and to showcase the diverse young musical talent from across Europe for children and their families to discover and enjoy together. This junior version of Eurovision will undoubtedly encapsulate the same spirit of unity that the adult contest brings, reflecting the heart of what CBBC is all about, an inclusive channel that celebrates the diversity and creativity in all children. I can’t wait to unveil our own musical talent who will proudly represent the UK."
— Patricia Hidalgo Reina[11]
The artist and song representing the United Kingdom has been chosen internally by CBBC and BBC Studios Entertainment and Music,[11] in co-operation with the British commercial talent agency Buzz Kids.[12] On 3 November 2022, it was revealed Freya Skye will represent the country with the song "Lose My Head", written by Jack Hawitt, Amber van Day and Falco van den Aker.[13]
At Junior Eurovision
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 will take place at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex in Yerevan, Armenia on 11 December 2022.[14] The event will be broadcast live on CBBC, BBC One and on the BBC iPlayer, with the British commentator to be announced in due course.[9]
References
- ^ "Country Profile: United Kingdom". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ "Confirmation of Manchester as original host". 4 October 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012.
- ^ "'Junior contest not to take place in Manchester.'". Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ "Final of Hasselt 2005". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ García, Belén (2020-07-16). "UK: Is BBC considering Junior Eurovision 2020 participation?". ESCplus. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ "13 countries will 'Move the World' at Junior Eurovision 2020". Junior Eurovision. 2020-09-08. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ Washak, James (21 May 2021). "United Kingdom: EBU Working to Get the UK Back in Junior Eurovision". Eurovoix.
- ^ "🇬🇧 United Kingdom: "It's Possible We Can Get The BBC To Join Junior Eurovision" – Martin Österdahl". eurovoix. S4C. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ a b "United Kingdom returns to Junior Eurovision". Junioreurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 25 August 2022.
- ^ "United Kingdom confirms participation in Junior Eurovision 2022 as contest comes to BBC for first time". BBC Media Centre. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ a b Granger, Anthony (25 August 2022). "🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Returns to Junior Eurovision For First Time Since 2005". Eurovoix. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ Mancheño, José Miguel (2022-08-27). "Reino Unido inicia la búsqueda de su representante para Eurovisión Junior 2022". ESCplus España (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-08-28.
- ^ "Freya Skye will represent the United Kingdom". junioreurovision.tv. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- ^ "Junior Eurovision Song Contest – Yerevan 2022". EBU. Retrieved 25 August 2022.