In an interview, the Head of Delegation at Junior Eurovision for the United Kingdom said that the BBC’s participation is part of a longer-term plan.
Welcome back
This year the UK returns to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest after 17 years and for the first time with the BBC as the responsible broadcaster. The UK previously participated in the junior contest between 2003 and 2005. Last week it was announced that Freya Skye is set to represent the United Kingdom in Yerevan, Armenia scene of the 20th Junior Eurovision Song Contest on 11th December, with the song ‘Lose My Head’.
Long-Term Plan
In an interview with the Euro Trip Podcast, Lee Smithurst the BBC’s Head of Delegation for the UK at the Junior Eurovision told the podcast that this is a long-term plan and hopes to build on it in the future with a televised final and audition shows.
“Absolutely it’s a long-term plan”
“Everyone is keen. Obviously this year the time frame was quite short but I hope in the future that we can build on this and do a final where there’s audition shows and lots of kids can enter”
Lee revealed that the idea for the BBC to take part in Junior Eurovision come from the BBC’s Lead Commissioner for Eurovision Rachael Ashdown, two weeks after Eurovision 2022 to make the most of the goodwill, positivity and interest for Eurovision in the UK.
The United Kingdom’s Junior Eurovision Journey
The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to take part in the first edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003. Represented by Tom Morley and his song “My Song for the World”, the UK finished in 3rd place in Copenhagen. At the close of voting, Morley earned 118 points, only behind Spain and Croatia. The UK would compete a further two times, with their most successful attempt coming in 2004. In Lillehammer, Cory Spedding finished in second place with her song “The Best is Yet to Come”.
Are you glad it seems the United Kingdom is here to stay at Junior Eurovision? Do you think the United Kingdom will get its best result in Yerevan? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we prepare for the Junior Eurovision 2022!
News Source: The Euro Trip Podcast
Photo Credit: BBC / Justin Downing
Georgia Garnett 
Tim J