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The Euro Years
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1980
Winners: Ireland
UK Placing: 11th
A new decade means apparently very little to Ireland and Johnny Logan, who sings 'What's Another Year?', gets the Irish another victory. Wogan reclaims the TV commentary for good this time. The UK entrant comes in the shape of Prima Donna, boasting the vocal talent of ex-New Seeker Danny Finn; they finish a creditable third.
1981
Winners: UK
UK Placing: 1st
Bucks Fizz take Eurovision in Dublin, four points ahead of the German entry. The skirt-rippingly catchy 'Making Your Mind Up' tops the UK chart for three weeks. Norway completes the nul points hat-trick.
1982
Winners: Germany
UK Placing: 7th
Jan Leeming hosts from sunny Harrogate, as Germany go one rank better than in 1981 with Nicole's 'A Little Peace'. The song - shrewdly recorded in six languages - tops charts all over Europe as well as bringing home Germany's first Eurovision title. Bardo stumble to seventh for the UK.
1983
Winners: Luxembourg
UK Placing: 6th
Yet again, the Luxembourg proves that size isn't everything and scoop the grand prize by entering 'trained singer', Corinne Hermes. Not exactly the Eurovision glory years, the early 80s become known for the less-than-spectacular musicianship. The forgettable UK entry is Sweet Dreams' 'I'm Never Giving Up.' Please do, groan Europeans everywhere.
1984
Winners: Sweden
UK Placing: 7th
Controversy abounds in Luxembourg as UK entrant, Belle & The Devotions are met with a chorus of boos at the end of their set. Thought to be a backlash to the behaviour of English soccer hooligans abroad or perhaps, just maybe, because they (rather poorly) mimed their way through the whole song, they tumble to seventh. Sweden's Herreys pip Ireland for the top spot with 'Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley' - Wogan's least favourite Euro anthem ever.
1985
Winners: Norway
UK Placing: 7th
Whilst Vikki's 'Love Is' clambers to fourth for the UK, Norway win the contest with Bobbysocks and 'Let It Swing'. The triumph however, is overshadowed when presenter Lill Lindfors 'loses' her skirt in the second half of the show.
1986
Winners: Belgium
UK Placing: 7th
Eurovision goes teen in Norway as 13 year old Sandra Kim storms to victory for Belgium with 'J'Aime La Vie'. UK entrants Ryder feature the son of actor Bill Maynard (The Life of Riley). They finish seventh.
1987
Winners: Ireland
UK Placing: 13th
Euro-veteran, Ireland's Johnny Logan becomes the first artiste to win Eurovision twice. It's unlucky 13th for UK's Rikki though who finish way down the pecking order. Presenter Viktor Lazio's loud earrings steal the show.
1988
Winners: Switzerland
UK Placing: 2nd
French-Canadian Celine Dion (yes, THAT Celine Dion) triumphs for Switzerland, giving them their virgin victory. The long faced diva manages to squeeze our very own Scott Fitzgerald into second place.
1989
Winners: Yugoslavia
UK Placing: 2nd
The UK's Live Report don't get it quite right finishing second with 'Why do I Always Get It Wrong?'. Yugoslavia's Riva win with 'Rock Me'.
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