The Eurovision Song Contest is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, with the United Kingdom celebrating victory five times over the years.

In 2015, Alex Larke and Bianca Nicholas are representing the UK as Electro Velvet, with their electro-swing song Still In Love With You.

They will be hoping to join the likes of Lulu and Bucks Fizz on the winners’ list, but they have a big task ahead, with the last UK win back in 1997, when Katrina And The Waves triumphed with Love Shine A Light.

Ahead of this year’s live grand final on May 23 in Vienna, we’ve cast our minds back to remember the acts who have tried – and failed – to bring home the top prize for the country in the last 10 years.

2014 – Molly

Molly Smitten-Downes may have had dreams of being the next Michael Jackson when she wrote the chosen Eurovision track, Children Of The Universe. Sadly, the rest of Europe weren’t on the same page.

Considered one of the frontrunners of the competition, Molly donned a feathered gold minidress and knee-high gladiator sandals to perform her song, and finished in 17th place after receiving 40 points.

2013 – Bonnie Tyler

Husky-voiced Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, famous for hits such as Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Holding Out For A Hero, shook her blonde hair and her bare shoulders for Believe In Me. While the UK believed she would do well, Europe voted and weren’t as impressed.

Bonnie finished 19th out of 26 entries, with 23 points, leading her to claim that the competition is rigged.

2012 – Engelbert Humperdinck

The old-school crooner, best known for ballads Release Me and The Last Waltz in the 1960s, became the oldest singer to ever participate in the contest at the age of 76. The UK drew the short straw and were the first country to perform, and even Engelbert’s smooth vocals couldn’t save us.

The UK finished in the penultimate position with only 12 points, while Swedish singer Loreen sailed to victory.

2011 – Blue

After a spate of little known singers, the UK decided to hit the jackpot with Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe aka Blue. The chart-topping boyband, who had hits with Fly By, All Rise and One Love, joined in the footsteps of acts such as Michael Ball and Sir Cliff Richard to participate in Eurovision.

The guys performed I Can, which gave the UK one of its highest placings in recent years, coming in 11th position with 100 points. But they still couldn’t give us the winning score.

2010 – Josh Dubovie

Relatively unknown singer Josh Dubovie won the opportunity to represent the country after winning Eurovision: Your Country Needs You! with his song, That Sounds Good To Me.

He said at the time: “The minute I heard the song I thought it was a definite winner, I’m so happy I’m going to sing it in Oslo,” adding: “I really believe I can go on to win the Eurovision Song Contest for us.”

Wise words, Josh. Unfortunately, Europe didn’t think much of the tune and Josh finished last with only 10 points to his name.

2009 – Jade Ewen

Put a Sugababe and Andrew Lloyd Webber together, and the result is It’s My Time.

It was almost Jade Ewen’s time as she finished in fifth place, making her the most successful British Eurovision act since 2002.

2008 – Andy Abraham

Coming second in The X Factor does not guarantee success on the European platform, as Andy Abraham found out.

The former binman and bus driver, who finished runner-up to Shayne Ward in the ITV show, was selected as a wildcard by Sir Terry Wogan and won the public vote after a sing-off with Michelle Gayle.

Abraham’s performance of Even If failed to win over European audiences and he became the second UK act to come last alongside Germany and Poland, sharing 14 points.

2007 – Scooch

Natalie Powers, Caroline Barnes, David Ducasse and Russ Spencer, aka Scooch, reformed to represent the UK at Eurovision in 2007, but the decision via public vote on Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up was controversial, with even Charlotte Church blasting the song as “absolute s***.”

The novelty act’s airline-themed bubblegum pop performance of Flying The Flag (For You) was fun, camp and upbeat. But they didn’t exactly fly the flag proudly for the UK, after being placed second last with 19 points.

While the song failed to be a Eurovision success, it reached the top five in the UK singles chart, making it the highest charting UK Eurovision entrant since Katrina And The Waves in 1997.

2006 – Daz Sampson

Former footballer-turned-dance DJ Daz Sampson had success with various outfits, including Kung Fu Fighting featuring Carl Douglas, when he applied to compete in Eurovision.

His song Teenage Life, which was written and produced with his long-time collaborator John Matthews, featured four women dressed as schoolgirls, dubbed The Sampsonites, before the yellow-jacketed singer did his rap.

While the track was a commercial success, Sampson finished in 19th place out of the 24 acts with 25 points.

2005 – Javine Hylton

After two disappointing years, which saw Jemini receiving the dreaded nul points, Javine Hylton’s performance of Touch My Fire aimed to bring some sexiness back into Eurovision.

Hylton, who beat Katie Price and Gina G to represent the UK, did her best with the Bollywood-esque beats and skimpily dressed dancers and finished with 18 points, in 22nd place. Still, at least we came ahead of France and Germany.