Northampton superfan flying flag for song contest
Eurovision superfan Andy Roberts is hoping to fly the flag for Great Britain with a new book chronicling the history of the annual song contest – and is hoping to avoid a verdict of 'nil points' from the judges.
The diehard Eurovision supporter, who has travelled to each of the last 14 competitions across the continent, has interviewed pop legends such as Sir Cliff Richard, Katrina and the Waves and Bobby G from Bucks Fizz as part of his work to produce Flying the Flag: The UK in Eurovision.
The 46-year-old press officer from Duston said: "The reason for the book is that I have always been interested in Eurovision and nobody had actually done anything to celebrate the UK's 50 years in Eurovision.
"I know people slag it off but I have always just found it a fun contest as long as you don't take it too seriously.
"I tried not to make the book a Eurovision anorak guide and I hope it will appeal to anyone that has an interest in Eurovision."
The book launch coincides with the 54th Eurovision Song Contest, which is being held in Moscow on May 16.
Mr Roberts said he would be travelling out to Russia to the event, as he has done every year since 1995, to cheer on British hope Jade who will be performing the track It's My Time.
He said: "I have been a fan of the contest every since ABBA won in 1974 and I have been unable to shake the obsession.
"There are two or three contests that stand out in my memory but my favourite is probably in 1981 when Bucks Fizz won, as there were some really good songs that year.
"We seem to be taking it very seriously this year with Andrew Lloyd Webber writing the song.
"I can't see us winning but we would do well to finish in the top half."
In the book, the Northampton author addresses the issue of "bloc" voting that has dogged the contest in recent years and has backed the introduction of a jury voting system.
Published by Authorhouse in paperback and hardback, the book will be available from leading bookshops and online by the end of the month.
Orders can be place by emailing andyroberts15@tiscali.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page- Breaking News: Teen arrested after five injured in crash on Northamptonshire road
- Major change planned for Northampton’s town centre roads
- BREAKING NEWS: Man who died following crash on Northamptonshire road named by police
- Police swoop at Northamptonshire ‘sex lay-by’ after lewd conduct revelations
- Bully trusted to look after baby jailed for breaking its leg and fracturing its rib
- Waste recycling bins begin arriving at homes across Northamptonshire
- Major change planned for Northampton’s town centre roads
- Torquay 1 - 0 Northampton: Cobblers stay bottom after third defeat in a row at Torquay United
- Police swoop at Northamptonshire ‘sex lay-by’ after lewd conduct revelations
- Cobblers fan charged with racially abusing a black player at Shrewsbury game
- Top Northampton choreographer names Olympic ceremony performance after Chron
- Anger at plans for Northampton pharmacy which wants to open 100 hours a week
- Althorp reveals Earl Spencer’s wife is expecting new baby
- Northampton Saints: Mallinder keen to keep homegrown star Diggin at Gardens
- Manchester United heroes to take on Daventry Town in game refereed by Northamptonshire MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
