Why we Love EUROVISION

And twelve points go to... the frocks, staging, sardonic commentary - and oh yes, the songs!

- CLAIRE SAUL

Quality Acts

Eurovision in 1970 welcomed the handsome Julio Iglesias. He finished fourth for Spain in a year which saw Ireland's Dana winning with All Kinds of Everything. Julio went on to become the most commercially successful Spanish singer ever, and one of the world's top record selling acts.

The UK's 1974 entry was Olivia Newton-John, who performed a song chosen by public vote. "I wanted this song called Angel Eyes to win, that I loved," she later admitted. "So then I had to go sing [Long Live Love] for the country, not liking it, which wasn't easy." Olivia went on to have an incredibly successful performing career, and later became Dame Olivia Newton-John.

She finished in fourth place that year, the contest won by the Swedish entry ABBA, singing Waterloo.