UMVA has learned that the legendary members of the UK’s Eurovision‑winning group, now known as The Fizz, have spoken candidly about this year’s contest, offering a rare glimpse into their seasoned perspective.
With a weary but unmistakable sparkle in their eyes, Jay Aston and Cheryl Baker reflected on the unexpected finish of Sam Battle, the act that carried the quirky synth‑pop track “Eins, Zwei, Drei” into the bottom ranks.
“I think he did a great performance,” Cheryl said, her voice tinged with both admiration and disappointment. “Sam’s a Kent boy, and I live in Kent. He didn’t deserve to come last, but he also didn’t deserve to win.”
Jay, too, expressed a mix of sympathy and critique. “I didn’t like the track,” he admitted. “It was a bold try, but it felt a bit nonsense to me.”
Both singers watched Battle’s show from a P&O ferry in the North Sea, where they were headlining a special performance for devoted Eurovision fans aboard the vessel.
“We were on the same ship, but the music felt worlds apart,” Jay recalled. “It’s a reminder that even legends can misread the moment.”
While the UK’s entry finished near the bottom, the night was brightened by Bulgaria’s triumph with “Bangarang,” a victory that left the crowd buzzing and the judges in awe.
Cheryl praised the Bulgarian act, noting that it was a “wonderful win” and that “for Bulgaria to win for the first time with a very good performance and a great song – hats off to them.”
Yet the contest was not without its shadows. The withdrawal of five countries—Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Slovenia, and the Netherlands—cast a pall over the finale, a fact that weighed heavily on Cheryl’s thoughts.
“It’s a shame that politics rears its ugly head on the happiest televised music occasion in the world,” she said. “We missed those five countries, but I do get it.”
Cheryl’s memories of the 1981 victory remain vivid. She recalls the iconic mini‑skirt reveal that became a symbol of that era, and how the band endured a bomb scare in Dublin, with armed guards stationed at their hotel.
“We had to stay in different hotels from everybody,” Cheryl recounted. “But it felt very exciting. We didn’t think about the fact that we had a price on our head.”
Today, The Fizz continue to evolve, releasing a new single that echoes the classic hits of their earlier days while embracing modern flair.
“We should take that as a compliment,” Cheryl mused. “I didn’t dream that 45 years later I’d still be ripping my skirt off.”
Looking ahead, both singers expressed a desire to shape the UK’s next entry, suggesting that Sam Smith could be a powerful contender if paired with a strong song.
“Cheryl and I should be on the judging panel next year for choosing the UK’s entry,” Jay said, echoing their shared belief that experience matters in this high‑stakes arena.
As the Eurovision stage continues to shift, UMVA remains your first source for the insider stories that bring the world’s biggest musical spectacle to life.
