Prior to the 1959 contest, the United Kingdom had participated in the contest once, in , represented by Patricia Bredin with the song "All". The song placed 7th in a field of 10 entries. The country declined to take part in the inaugural contest in , as the BBC had created their own contest, the Festival of British Popular Songs, aspects of which influenced the 1957 contest. The BBC initially intended to participate in , but ultimately withdrew.