United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1959
The United Kingdom participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1959. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) organised a national final to select the United Kingdom's entry for the contest. The song selected was "Sing, Little Birdie", performed by Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson. The song placed second in the contest, at the time the United Kingdom's best result in the competition, and remained so until their first victory in . Before Eurovision. 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. Eurovision Song Contest British Final. The Eurovision Song Contest British Final was a national final organised by the BBC to select the United Kingdom's entry for the contest. The selection consisted of two semi-finals held on 2 February and 5 February 1959, and  a final held on 7 February 1959, broadcast on BBC Television and presented by Pete Murray. The songs were scored by seven 14-member regional juries representing the South of England, the Midlands, Northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the West of England. Competing entries. Twelve entries were shortlisted by the BBC for the contest. "I'll Be With You" was originally scheduled to be performed by Alma Cogan, but was replaced by Marion Keene. Semi-final 1. Semi-final 1 was held on 2 February 1959. The highlighted songs qualified for the final. Semi-final 2. Semi-final  2 was held on 5 February 1959. The highlighted songs qualified for the final. Final. The final was held on 7 February 1959 at 19:30 GMT. At Eurovision. In the final, Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson performed tenth in the running order, following and preceding . At the close of the voting "Sing Little Birdie" had received 16 points, placing United Kingdom 2nd in a field of 11 entries. The British jury awarded 5 of its 10 points to .