Lloyd Webber blames racism for Eurovision failures

The star, 64, spoke out after a string of disappointments in recent years for UK acts including Javine Hylton, Andy Abraham, Jade Ewen and boyband Blue.

The impresario co-wrote the song performed by Ewen, who came fifth in 2009.

Asked what he thought about Britain’s record, Lord Lloyd Webber told the Radio Times: “I don’t think there’s any point beating around the bush.

“I’ll put it to you by asking you a question. ‘Did you see the Eurovision Song Contest this year? (when Engelbert Humperdinck narrowly avoided coming last).

“If you had seen it, you might have noticed one thing – I don’t think there was one black face on the programme.”

He said: “At the press conference in Moscow (in 2009), I was asked, ‘Why have you brought a black artist?’

“I said, ‘Because she is the most talented artist that we had and I think she’s a major, major star.’ I think we would have come second but there’s a problem when you go further east...”

Asked whether he was saying that racism was the reason that Britain did not win, he said: “Well, it doesn’t mean that we would necessarily have won that year but we could have come second.

“If you’re talking about Western Europe – Germany, fine; France, fine; Spain, fine; Greece, fine; Scandinavian countries, fine. But Ukraine? Not so good.”

The impresario, who previously worked on BBC shows like How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, also admitted in the interview that he was not a fan of BBC1 show The Voice.

“I don’t know what the problem was there. Everyone was out of tune all the time. I just couldn’t watch it,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I have perfect pitch – it’s either one of the great advantages or the greatest affliction in life. When people sing out of tune, I just can’t listen.”

Lord Lloyd Webber, who is set to find the lead for Jesus Christ Superstar in a new ITV1 show, Superstar, also told the magazine he had been given the all-clear after being treated for prostate cancer.

“I mean, they actually told me not to bother coming back,” he said.