What makes the Eurovision Song Contest so popular? And why do so many others feel such disdain for it?

Is the voting fair? Will Ireland or the UK ever win again? This book is Eurovision uncovered. For the first time, one of its insiders reveals the inner workings of the Contest, the controversies and the key players over the last ten years. Julian Vignoles was a member of the Contest’s ‘board of directors’, the Reference Group, for four years. He reveals the debates that led to changes in the rules, and the political disputes behind the bright lights and glitter of Europe’s most popular TV show.

He analyses in detail the voting patterns, completely de-bunking the ‘bloc voting’ allegations. Did you know that seven of the last ten Eurovision winners were actually from Western Europe? Julian Vignoles argues that, contrary to popular belief, former Communist countries are under-represented in the results. And why have both Ireland and the UK failed to win or come close in the televoting era?

With contributions from winners like Linda Martin and Niamh Kavanagh, as well as critics, fans and the legendary ‘back room man’, former Executive Supervisor Svante Stockselius, this book is a must read for all those who love – or love to hate – Eurovision.