UK is still holding out for a Eurovision hero

The 61-year-old singer, who represented the UK with Believe In Me, finished 19th out of 26 acts in Malmo, Sweden, on Saturday night, with 23 points.

Ireland’s entry, the dance track Only Love Survives by Ryan Dolan, came in last place with just five points.

The winner was Denmark’s Only Teardrops by Emmelie de Forest, which was predicted to win with odds of 4/6. It topped the table with 281 points, followed by Azerbaijan and Ukraine.

Speaking after the votes came in the Welsh singer, who topped charts around the world in her 80s heyday, said that despite her final score the experience had been “fantastic”.

She said: “I got the feeling tonight that I got at the Grammy awards. I’m sure a lot of people will be disappointed on my behalf but I have really enjoyed my Eurovision experience.

“I did the best that I could do with a great song. I don’t feel down and I’m ready to party.

“The songs at the top of the table totally deserve to be up there. Of course I would have liked to bring it back to the UK but it’s been a night to remember.”

Tyler’s effort fared better than veteran crooner Engelbert Humperdinck last year, who came second from the bottom when he represented the UK in Baku, Azerbaijan. But she failed to live up to boy-band Blue who finished in 11th place two years ago. The last time the UK won the competition was in 1997, with Love Shine A Light by Katrina and the Waves.

The Total Eclipse star had told journalists earlier in the week: “I don’t think it would affect my career if I didn’t win, because I’m already booked up to the end of the year just about anyway.

“Of course I wouldn’t like to be last, but I hope I have a respectable score. I’m not expecting to win. I hope I come somewhere respectable, like 10, 12 or something.”

Malady lingers on: Page 9.