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Eurovision surprise: Engelbert Humperdinck is UK entry
Engelbert Humperdinck in his heyday, as host of The Engelbert Humperdinck Show
Photo: ITV / Rex Feature
By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor
Last Updated: 9:47PM GMT 01/03/2012

Engelbert Humperdinck, the 75-year-old crooner, is to represent the UK at the
Eurovision Song Contest.



It has become an annual television ritual: the UK’s humiliation at Eurovision.


Boy bands, pop flops, rappers and a former X Factor finalist have all bid for
glory, only to end up with egg on their faces and the ignominy of being
beaten by an Israeli transsexual or a Finnish heavy metal act.


This year, the brains behind the UK entry have taken a radical new direction.
Step forward Engelbert Humperdinck, the 75-year-old crooner who last had a
top 20 hit in 1972.


The man christened Arnold George Dorsey - but known to his admirers as The
Hump - will carry the hopes of the nation in Baku, Azerbaijan, on May 26.


After years of failure with young acts, it is hoped that Humperdinck’s decades
of experience will win over the 125 million viewers expected to tune in.


And when it comes to the murky political world of Eurovision voting,
Humperdinck could prove to be the UK’s secret weapon.


The septuagenarian singer of Release Me, The Last Waltz and Quando
Quando Quando remains popular in a number of the countries competing -
and voting - in the song contest. Last year he toured Belgium, Romania,
Russia, Israel and the Netherlands.


The BBC, which screens the contest, hinted at the tactical nature of the
choice. Derek McClean, the Corporation’s creative director of entertainment,
said: “Engelbert has an incredible musical history and heritage, especially
in the UK and Europe.”


There is no denying Humperdinck’s global status. Possibly the only
international music legend to divide his time between homes in Los Angeles
and Leicester, and definitely the only one named after a 19th century German
opera composer, he has sold over 150 million records.


His achievements include four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for
entertainer of the year, 63 gold and 24 platinum records, plus a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame.

His
first hit Release Me, topped the charts in January 1967 and he had a
further number one that year with The Last Waltz.


With his sideburns and smouldering good looks, Humperdinck became a
heart-throb. He was a close friend of Elvis Presley and hung out with Jimi
Hendrix.


He fell out of fashion in the late 1970s but continued to tour. His career is
now undergoing something of a renaissance and a new album is planned for
this year.


The Eurovision single, yet to be announced, has impressively cool credentials:
it will be written and produced by the team behind Adele, Mary J Blige and
Lana Del Rey.


Humperdinck, who turns 76 at the beginning of May, said: “It’s an absolute
honour to be representing my country for this year's Eurovision Song
Contest. When the BBC approached me, it just felt right for me to be a part
of an institution like Eurovision.


“I’m excited and raring to go and want the nation to get behind me.”


Katie Taylor, head of entertainment and events at the BBC, said: “Not since
the ‘70s have we had such an established international musical legend
represent the nation.”


That decade saw the likes of Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John sing for the
UK, followed in 1981 by winning act Bucks Fizz.


But the past 20 years have seen only one UK win - Katrina and the Waves in
1997 - and the recent record has been woeful.


In 2003, Jemini scored the dreaded “nul points”. Former X Factor finalist Andy
Abraham came last in 2008, and 19-year-old Josh Dubovie repeated the trick
in 2010.


Last year, the BBC ended the practice of the UK’s entry being chosen by public
vote, instead nominating the boy band Blue. They finished in 11th place.