Many will argue that it was to be expected that the UK would do badly at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, but representative James Newman finishing in last place with no points whatsoever was a pretty big blow.
Clearly, the ‘embers’ Newman was singing about were just that, and failed to ignite support from the rest of Europe, with neither the public and juries choosing to award them any of their points.
Despite that, the Yorkshireman – who was due to represent the UK last year before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus - endeared other delegates and the audience with his good humoured response to the loss.
For those wondering, the coveted trophy in fact went to Måneskin from Italy, one of the bookies’ favourites whose heavy rock song “Zitti E Buoni” saw the group finish on the other end of the leaderboard with a whopping 524 points.
UK fans of the pop competition have since taken to Twitter to comment on our final position, knowing that memes are probably one of the few ways we can smile through the pain:
rest of europe to the uk every year #Eurovision https://t.co/WqrITdPaTe— line of duty caps (@line of duty caps) 1621724249
If the UK getting zero in Eurovision isn't a sign of the world slowly returning to normal, we don't know what is. #Eurovision— innocent drinks (@innocent drinks) 1621723929
*The United Kingdom get 0 points from the Jury and the Viewers votes* The UK to Europe: #Eurovision https://t.co/6316Pftxyq— Jasmin (@Jasmin) 1621722936
#Eurovision Fire Saga is so right - UK 0 https://t.co/zYmS6e708Q— Holy Drogon (@Holy Drogon) 1621723921
Just a reminder that even this got 3 more points than the UK #eurovision https://t.co/NA9KFlh4Wt— El-Tee (@El-Tee) 1621722886
Eurovision to the UK right now: #Eurovision https://t.co/pTzZmLYVDC— innocent drinks (@innocent drinks) 1621722164
Others put the blame on politics:
UK: *Leaves the EU and keeps trashing them in the tabloids* *gets 0 points* UK: #Eurovision https://t.co/QxRFkKf3Pb— peter (@peter) 1621725819
The UK right now #Eurovision https://t.co/lJssKeKoXS— Gary Brannan (@Gary Brannan) 1621724893
Look, after Brexit and Iraq the definition of "the UK doing well in #Eurovision" is now just how good-humouredly ou… https://t.co/g1kzOPi9rn— Sooz Kempner (@Sooz Kempner) 1621725825
And some, inspired by the recent scandal over the European Super League, suggested we pack it all up and start our own separate contest:
UK, Spain, Germany to launch Eurovision Super League— Brett Spencer (@Brett Spencer) 1621724059
The UK, Netherlands, Germany and Spain creating their own super league #Eurovision https://t.co/qQdTzqzHxQ— Matt⚫️⚪️ (@Matt⚫️⚪️) 1621723351
Here’s hoping the UK fares better when the contest arrives in Italy in 2022, but we won’t be holding our breath.