[Dan_]

Andrew Lloyd Webber is to write the UK's entry for the Eurovision song contest in a bid to restore beleaguered national pride.The Oscar-winning composer, whose string of stage hits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Starlight Express, has described the contest as his toughest challenge to date.

He said: "In my life I have never shied away from the impossible and this looks like the biggest mission impossible of all time, but with the might of the British public behind me who knows what will happen?"

Lord Lloyd Webber, 60, will embark on a televised talent search for the right vocalist to perform the song in Moscow next year.

The show, which will be called Your Country Needs You and which will be hosted by Graham Norton, will be similar in tone to his hit theatrical casting shows such as How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Any Dream Will Do and I'll Do Anything.

It is not the first time Lord Lloyd Webber has tried for Eurovision glory.

When he was 21 he and Tim Rice wrote the song Try It and See for the 1969 competition but it was not selected.

Lord Lloyd Webber, who has collaborated with lyricists including Don Black and Jim Steinman as well as Rice, has composed some of the biggest selling and most celebrated songs of all time including No Matter What by Boyzone and Memory, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, I Don't Know How to Love Him, Any Dream Will Do, Take That Look Off Your Face, Tell Me On A Sunday and Love Changes Everything.

British Eurovision entries have fared disastrously in recent years. Andy Abraham scored just 14 points last year with Even If and was ranked number 25. The year before Scooch earned just 19 points for their song Flying the Flag (For You) and ended up in 23rd place.

The low point for the United Kingdom, however, came in 2003 when Gemini scored the dreaded nil points with Cry Baby.

The poor showing of the UK and other western European nations in the competition in recent years has led to accusations of political bias and even racism in the contest.

There was fresh controversy earlier this year when Bjorn Erichsen, head of the contest, attacked Sir Terry Wogan, the competition's British host, of not taking it seriously enough.

Despite the recent poor showings by UK artists, the contest has grown in popularity and now regularly pulls in up to ten million viewers making it one of the most watched television events of the year.

Cheryl Baker, who was a member of Bucks Fizz when the group won the 1981 Eurovision song contest, welcomed Lloyd Webber's involvement.

"It is a phenomenal choice and it proves that the UK means business," she said. "Andrew is a terrific song writer and the fact that he is involved is a really big bonus.

"It is a fact that some of our recent efforts haven't been strong enough and should never have been entered.

"Andrew's work is known all over Europe and the fact that there is going to be a talent show means by the time the contest starts the winner will be know across the continent.

"In the past, politics have played a part but its also important to bear in mind that many of the winning entries have been very well known acts in Europe."

Jay Hunt, controller of BBC One, said: "I am thrilled Andrew will be championing the country's search for a star to storm the next Eurovision."

Elaine Bedell, controller of entertainment commissioning, said: "I'm delighted that Andrew has agreed to step up to the mighty challenge of restoring some pride in our musical entry to this much-loved national event. It certainly needs his passion and vision, and we can't wait for the search to begin."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...sion-song.html