No Eurovision encore for Lys, 87

The first-ever winner of the Eurovision Song Contest has failed in her attempt to make a comeback in the annual event.

Lys Assia, 87, had sought to become the oldest singer to participate in the contest that she won in the year of its inception, 1956, with the song Refrain.

But she came only eighth out of 14 in a preliminary round to select a singer to represent Switzerland next year, organisers said yesterday.

The jury said her ballad C’etait ma vie (“It was my life”) lacked “modern elements”.

The 2012 Eurovision Song Contest is to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event boasts participants from across Europe and is broadcast live across the continent.