The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 kicks off tonight.
The UK's Sam Ryder has been among the favourites to win the competition in the past week. However, unlike most other countries, the UK does not have to go through qualifying to reach the final, but why?
The 'big five' nations automatically qualify for the final every year, as well as the UK, there is Italy, Germany, France and Spain. The 'big five' status is not granted through performances in the contest, however.