The United Kingdom's Eurovision Song Contest selection series, Your Country Needs You attracted an average of five million viewers on Saturday night. The number is an increase of 100,000 over the previous week's introduction show as Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber was joined by host Graham Norton, panellist and former Eurovision Song Contest winner, Lulu and former reality music show participant, Lemah.

The increase in viewing figures from the initial introduction show through to the first live show of Your Country Needs You will be seen as another success by the BBC. Although it did not outperform rival channel ITV, the figures placed the show as the third highest viewed for the night on the channel, behind the National Lottery and long running drama show, Casualty.

The media attention has increased since Damien became the first act to be eliminated from the show and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber announcing Dianne Warren as the songwriter has made headlines. It has also sparked a debate about whether he should have chosen an British songwriter for the show which seems to be a running news theme for the week in local media.

• VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE ACT UNITED KINGDOM ACT HERE.
• WATCH THE SIX UK ACTS' PERFORMANCES AND RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT HERE.
• Read aboutLord Andrew Lloyd Webber's introduction of the six finalists here.
• Read about plans for the UK's biggest ever Eurovision promotion push here.
• All readers can watch the six acts' auditions here.
• Read the biographies of the UK's six Eurovision Acts here.
• Read the last UK winner's interview about the show here.