| Wogan 'may quit Eurovision role' |
| Sunday, 25 May 2008 02:02 | |||
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Sir Terry Wogan said he may quit as the BBC's Eurovision commentator, as the UK entry sung by former X Factor finalist Andy Abraham finished in last place. Sir Terry cast doubt on his role after saying this year's results showed it was "no longer a music contest". Abraham received 14 points for his song Even If, as Russia won with 272 points. Sir Terry, who has commentated on the competition since the 1970s, said: "Russia were going to be the political winners from the beginning." He told viewers: "I think it's tremendously disappointing from the point of view of the United Kingdom. "Andy Abraham gave, I think, the performance of his life with a song that certainly deserved far more points than it got when you look at the points that Spain got, that Bosnia-Hercegovina got - some really ridiculous songs." Sir Terry said his producer, Kevin Bishop, was stepping down after this year's contest. "He and I have to decide whether we want to do this again," he said. "Indeed, western European participants have to decide whether they want to take part from here on in because their prospects are poor." Abraham received six points from San Marino - who were taking part for the first time - and eight from Ireland. Germany and Poland also received 14 points each, but they officially finished above the UK because their top scores in a single round were higher. Russia received the maximum 12 points from former Soviet states Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Armenia, as well as Israel. But Sir Terry was generous about the Russian song, Believe, performed by Dima Bilan. "Let's not take it away from him, let's congratulate him," he said. The UK has only finished in the top 10 once in the last 10 years - but has finished outside the top 20 four times in that period. UK'S EUROVISION RECORD 2008 - Andy Abraham, 25th place 2007 - Scooch, 22nd 2006 - Daz Sampson, 19th 2005 - Javine, 22nd 2004 - James Fox, 16th 2003 - Jemini, 26th Source
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