The United Kingdom’s Eurovision entry for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest will be decided 100% via a public vote in the country’s national final.

For the first time in 6 years, the British representative for the Eurovision Song Contest will be determined via a national final. This year’s national final, to be hosted by Mel Giedroyc at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, will see a total of 6 acts bid for the right to represent the nation at the competition.

Following each national final performance, an expert panel will be on hand to offer their help and advice to each of the competitors, however it has been confirmed that the United Kingdom’s entry will go on to be decided 100% via a public vote. The public vote will consist of both a televote along with an online vote.

The competing entries in the British national final are to be aired for the first time next Monday on the 22 February during the Ken Bruce Show on BBC Radio 2. The 6 entries were shortlisted by a professional music panel in collaboration with music producer Hugh Goldsmith along with members of the British Phonographic Industry, including additional help from the UK OGAE fan club and the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.

The British national final, Eurovision: You Decide takes place on the 26 February and will air on BBC Four from 19:30 local time (20:30 CET).

Stay tuned to esctoday.com for the latest news on the United Kingdom, Eurovision: You Decide and the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest