Olly Alexander took part in Eurovision in 2024

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is set to return to screens tonight. Over the years, we have seen thousands of acts take to the stage for the hotly anticipated music event. The history of the BBC selection process is littered with those who failed to make the grade to those who have already found fame.

Express.co.uk counts down the famous faces you may have forgotten represented the UK at Eurovision.

Many Eurovisions fans may recall Katie Price putting herself in the running as a UK entry but it did not exactly go to plan for the model and singer back in 2005. That year, she came close to representing the UK, but came second in the public vote.

Katie performed her song Not Just Anybody, but finished second in the public vote to former almost-Girls Aloud member Javine.

Also trying out that year were Eurovision icon Gina G, and former Hear'Say member Andy-Scott Lee.

Before making history with her iconic role as Sandy in the popular musical Grease alongside John Travolta, the British-Australian actress represented the UK in Eurovision.

Born in England but growing up in Australia, the late singer and actress performed as the UK entry with the song, Long Live Love in 1974. But it was also the same year ABBA sang their hit Waterloo. The contest was held in Brighton that year and Olivia came in fourth place.

The singer, who sadly died aged 73 in 2022, went on to become a global success with over 100 million records sold, making her one of the highest-selling music artists of all time.

After finding success with the girlband Atomic Kitten, Liz McClarnon was in with a chance of representing the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2007.

She performed her song (Don't It Make You) Happy but finished in fifth place.

Before her roles on The Voice, The X Factor and The Masked Singer, Rita Ora tired her hand at a different talent competition when she competed in 2009's Eurovision: Your Country Needs You.

The British-Kosovan star pulled out of the contest before it reached the live finals stage, and several years later got in a Twitter battle with winner Jade Ewen when she expressed her relief at doing so.

While not an official UK entry, before becoming Simon Cowell's muse, Sinitta was making musical waves.

A year before she found success with So Macho, she came fourth in the public vote for the UK entry with her song Imagination. Hazell Dean also took part that year, finishing seventh.

Famed for her time in the band HearSay and her role in the soap Coronation Street, she attempted to reignite her singing career one last time at Eurovision.

Kym Marsh finished in fourth place in the public vote with Whisper to Me. Daz won the vote with Teenage Life, also beating Blue's Antony Costa in 2006.

Scottish singer Lulu represented the UK at Eurovision in 1969 when the song contest was held in Spain. She performed her song Boom Bang-a-Bang.

Lulu was part of a four-way tie for winner that year along with the Netherlands, France, and Spain.

She went on to release 15 pop and pop-rock studio albums. Today, the singer is still best known for songs To Sir, With Love, Shout and The Man With the Golden Gun, which was the title song for the 1974 James Bond film of the same name.

She is best known for her role as Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders. Prior to this, the actress burst onto the scene when she represented the UK.

Samantha took part in Eurovision under her maiden name Janus. She performed the song A Message to Your Heart at the contest in Rome, Italy. That year, she finished in a joint tenth place with Ireland's Kim Jackson.

The legendary singer performed twice at the Eurovision Song Contest. Back in 1968, Cilla Black was said to have been the BBC's first choice to take part in the competition. However, she turned down the role, where she admitted she didn't believe Britain or any nation could win back to back.

In March that year, A Song for Europe was presented by Cilla as a special edition on her BBC series and singer Cliff Richard performed Celebration on the show. He triumphantly came in second place.

Sir Cliff would take part in the contest five years later where he finished in third place with the song Power To All Friends.

The popular musician was already an established actor in the West End when he represented the UK at Eurovision.

Over three decades ago, he headed to Malmö, Sweden, to perform One Step Out of Time.

He came runner-up that year behind winner Linda Martin, who represented Ireland. The singer, presenter and actor is still making music, including collaborations with Alfie Boe.