How many times has the UK won Eurovision? Here are all the times the UK has won — including Bucks Fizz

Scottish pop singer Lulu represented the UK during the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest - and won. | Getty Images

Each year when the Eurovision Song Contest rolls around, the UK’s contentious history during the competition becomes a topic of conversation.

As one of the “Big Five”, the UK automatically qualifies for the Grand Final as one of the countries which makes the biggest financial contributions to the event each year.

This has led to the UK holding the record for the longest run of consecutive appearances in the competition final, however, it is also one reason why the country is often the subject of ridicule.

But outside of finishing with no points or second last, as last year’s act Mae Muller did, the UK has experienced success during Eurovision.

The UK has won Eurovision five times, placing it behind Sweden and Ireland which are tied with seven wins each. In addition, the UK also has also come in second place a record 16 times – most recently with Sam Ryder’s 2022 entry which saw Liverpool host last year’s competition.

This year, the UK has placed its bets on Olly Alexander’s upbeat pop track Dizzy – but with the UK’s most recent victory almost 30 years ago, here are all the times the UK has won Eurovision.

1967: Sandie Shaw

Sandie Shaw won Eurovision for the UK in 1967. | brandstaetter images via Getty I

The first time the UK won Eurovision was in 1967. Sandie Shaw represented the country with her song Puppet on a String during the Grand Final in Vienna.

1969: Lulu

The UK’s next Eurovision came in 1969 during the Grand Final in Madrid. With her song Boom Bang-a-Bang Lulu became the only Scottish act to have won the competition.

1976: Brotherhood of Man

British pop group the Brotherhood Of Man, represented the UK in Eurovision with the song 'Save All Your Kisses For Me'. Image: Keystone/Getty Images | Getty Images

It wasn’t until 1976 that the UK won the Eurovision Song Contest again. For that year’s Grand Final in The Hague, the UK sent pop group Brotherhood of Man who won with their track Save Your Kisses For Me.

1981: Bucks Fizz

British pop group Bucks Fizz won the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest. | Getty Images

Bucks Fizz became the fourth act to win Eurovision for the UK during the 1981 final in Dublin. Perhaps one of the country’s most memorable Eurovision entries, Making Your Mind Up quickly reached No.1 in the UK and helped launch the group’s career.

1997: Katrina and The Waves

Katrina and The Waves winning the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, 1997. Image: Getty | Getty Images

The fifth and final time the UK won Eurovision was in 1997. That year the Grand Final was held in Dublin, with Katrina and The Waves representing the UK with their track Love Shine A Light. It followed the band’s earlier success with Walking On Sunshine and helped the country secure what was then a record margin of 70 points.