THE UK’S 28-1 SHOT
AFTER appearing on The X Factor in 2009, Lucie Jones vowed she would never take part in another talent show but tonight the Welsh singer will represent the UK at the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest.
“Eurovision is different. It’s amazing,” says 26-year-old Lucie. “It’s something that I’ve watched my whole life and as a singer you very rarely get the opportunity to represent your country. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Born in the small village of Pentyrch outside Cardiff, the former Girl Scout appeared in 2009 on series six of The X Factor where she belted out I Will Always Love You and made it to the live shows. In that round she was eliminated after a sing-off with Jedward – coincidentally, Ireland’s Eurovision entry in 2011. The good news was that Lucie met her fiancé Ethan, a FrenchAmerican chef, while appearing on the show.
She went on to sign to the Select model agency, became the face of a Wonderbra campaign, and forged a showbusiness career.
Her TV credits include the Sarah Jane Adventures and Midsomer Murders and she has also appeared in stage productions of Les Misérables, Legally Blonde, Ghost and Rent.
She triumphed in the BBC’s You Decide competition to represent the UK and will perform Never Give Up On You in the Ukrainian capital Kiev tonight.
It has been 20 years since the UK last won Eurovision, when Katrina and the Waves took the title. And Lucie’s ambitions are modest.
“I just don’t want to come last, really,” she says. “If we get no points I’ll be disappointed but anything else is going to be a win. All I’ve got to do is go on and not fall flat on my face.”