Posted May 21, 200817 yr Wednesday, 21 May 2008 08:11 UK Talking Shop: Carrie Grant BBC Entertainment http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44659000/jpg/_44659709_grant_getty226b.jpg Carrie Grant has worked as a vocal coach on TV talent shows Talent judge and vocal coach Carrie Grant has been picked to announce the UK's votes at the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. The 42-year-old was a member of the singing trio Sweet Dreams, who entered the 1983 competition with the song I'm Never Giving Up. The track reached number 21 in the UK singles chart and was sixth place in the contest. Carrie discusses her new role and big night nerves - and how she thinks the UK's hopeful Andy Abraham will perform in the Serbian capital Belgrade. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How are you feeling about doing the honour of delivering the UK's points out on the night? I'm really nervous and excited. All I've got to do is say, 'hello Belgrade, the results of the British public are...' and then read out three scores. It could not be simpler. And yet, there's a part of you that thinks it could be the one time I c**k up my words. What if I say the wrong country and ruin the whole competition? Or give Italy 12 points when I meant to say Spain or something? h8W67t3rcW4 Sweet Dreams - I'm Never Giving Up (1983) How are you going to engage with the audience? Are you going to try to be funny? You're hardly allowed to say anything. I'm the first one to present votes so maybe they'll give me a bit more time. I won't try to be funny because Terry Wogan will say something way more funnier that I could. I'm not a comedian, I'm just going to be friendly. I just think it's a total privilege. Who could have thought when I entered Eurovision I would be reading the results 25 years later? I remember sitting there at the age of 17 and thinking 'oh please give us some points'. Why do you think you were asked? I suppose because I'm a judge on TV and I have history with Eurovision. It's one of those things that will always come back to haunt you, in a nice way, but you'll never be allowed to forget it. How important is Eurovision to you? It's always been since my childhood. Eurovision was so popular when I was growing up. It started to go off the boil the year that I went in for it. It was huge before then. There was a backlash for the first time the year we did it. It's not important in terms of world peace, but it is important because it's part of our lives. It reunites Europe. I love the fact that all these countries compete against one another in such a bizarre way. What are your memories of taking part in 1983? They rehearse you to death. You think, eat,sleep your three-minute song every hour of every day for six weeks or more. There's a huge pressure on you because you're representing your country. For a 17-year-old it was the best experience though. We came sixth, which actually at the time was really shameful, but these days that would be a serious result. Would you like to take part again? No - I have no desire to do Eurovision again. I love watching it I wouldn't want to put myself through that again. What do you think of our entry, Andy Abraham, this year as you did not vote for him on Eurovision: Your Decision. It was really unfortunate because Andy shared his category with Michelle Gayle. I thought that Michelle a totally Eurovision song. Her routine, her outfit, was totally Eurovision. I think Andy has one of the best voices out there, he's a really excellent singer but I didn't think his song was very Eurovision. He's a brilliant guy, I really want to support him, but I think that song is too sophisticated in a way. Michelle's song was so geared towards a Eurovision audience with all its gimmicks and good singing, really catchy song, totally cheesy Eurovision style, whereas Andy's song is not cheesy at all, it's quite a good song. Do you think the UK should continue to participate in the competition? There's no way we can win now with so many eastern European countries who all vote for one another. But at the end of the day it's a lot of fun, it's still brilliant to watch. And I really feel proud that we've got such a great singer. We haven't had good singers in the last couple of years. He'll probably have the best vocal out of every country there. Now that is something I'm really proud of. The final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place on Saturday 24 May and will be screened on BBC One at 2000 BST. Carrie Grant talked to BBC News entertainment reporter Fiona Pryor. Any Comments on any of Carrie's thoughts?
May 21, 200817 yr I see she reads from the Terry Wogan school of opinions for British hopes -_- I agree that Michelle Gayle would've worked a LOT better than Andy ever will though ^_^
May 21, 200817 yr 12 points to Italy...she does know that they are not in it doesn't she!?! That's what I was thinking. :lol: At least it isn't Fearne, I wasn't expecting her to be involved since she wasn't involved in Your Decision this year either. I'm disappointed that the top 3 votes are all that will be read out. Is that how it's always been or am I imagining a time when they read out all 10? Edited May 21, 200817 yr by Adi_Gallia
May 21, 200817 yr I'm disappointed that the top 3 votes are all that will be read out. Is that how it's always been or am I imagining a time when they read out all 10? It's been that way since 2006, because the voting drags on for ages with 35+ voting countries...I'm really surprised they haven't considered an alternative - such as, for example, dividing the non-qualifiers (of which there are 18) randomly into 6 voters of 3 countries (or 3 voters of 6), adding up the votes from all of the countries (in terms of 12, 10, 8 rather than population) and then announcing the top 10 - diluting the power of diaspora, ensuring that the non-qualifiers all have a fair say AND giving us enough time to revert to the old system! :cheer:
May 21, 200817 yr That's what I was thinking. :lol: At least it isn't Fearne, I wasn't expecting her to be involved since she wasn't involved in Your Decision this year either. I'm disappointed that the top 3 votes are all that will be read out. Is that how it's always been or am I imagining a time when they read out all 10? i think its better just reading out the top three its done quicker but theyy still show you the other 7 do theyy not??
May 21, 200817 yr but theyy still show you the other 7 do theyy not?? I think so. I like the results being read out in full, I don't mind that it "drags out" I find it the most interesting part.
May 21, 200817 yr Carrie and Fearne are both as stupid as each other. Bring back Colin Berry ffs! :arrr:
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