Liverpool's Eurovision Song Contest story includes stars such as Sonia and Cilla Black.
On Friday the BBC announced Liverpool had made the shortlist to host next year's Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). After a fierce bidding war from more than 20 UK cities, we will now go head to head with the likes of Glasgow and Manchester in order to bring the event home.
Over the years, Liverpool has links to the contest. Legend Sonia came close, Cilla Black said no and others ended up with 'nul points'.
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Sonia
Raised in Walton, Sonia is best known for her Eurovision entry and chart-topping success. At 18 years old she released her debut single You'll Never Stop Me Loving You which went straight to number one on the charts. In 1990 she became the first female UK artist to achieve five top 20 hit singles from one album.
Three years later she would represent the UK on the condition that, if they won, Liverpool would act as the host city the following year. The BBC agreed and she went on to place second on the show falling just behind Ireland's Niamh Kavanagh.
After the BBC announced Liverpool made the 2023 shortlist, the singer put her full support behind the city and said it would be an amazing option. She said: "We have the music heritage of the world. It's just gonna be massive. It's got to be Liverpool."
Cilla Black
Cilla was a Liverpool legend for her presenting and musical prowess spanning decades. The star, from Vauxhall, began her career in the 60s with multiple number one hits before becoming the UK's best-selling female artist by the end of the decade.
In 1968, Cilla was the BBC's first choice as a representative but the star shot them down instantly as she didn't believe any nation would win back to back. The UK had won the previous year with Sandie Shaw - the UK's first Eurovision success. Cliff Richard would end up taking Cilla's place and finished second in the show with his track Celebration.
Liz McClarnon
Liz rose to fame as one-third of the British girl band Atomic Kitten. She enjoyed a successful career bagging herself three number one singles and two number one albums before she went solo in 2006.
During her solo journey, she released the track Don't It Make You Happy which she sent off for consideration to be UK's official ESC 2007 entry. That year the nation would decide on who they wanted as a representative but she was beaten by pop group Scooch.
The 41-year-old did manage to get her track into the official shows set list as she performed it on the BBC's pre-Eurovision television show, Making Your Mind Up, where viewers voted for their favourite.
Jemini
Jemini went down in history as being the UK's first "nul points" representative. In 2003, the Liverpool duo set off for Lativia only to return to the UK with the nation's lowest ever position - last.
Their campy pop bop Cry Baby was considered an overall bad song but the pair blamed technical issues on the night for their poor performance. It marked the start of a UK Eurovision demise as, within the next decade, the UK came last twice more.
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