It has been confirmed that the United Kingdom final Making Your Mind Up will be broadcast on BBC1 on Saturday 5th March from BBC Television Centre in London. At the moment there is no further information on the songs, artists, composers or who will present the programme. Details on this will be revealed in a few weeks time.
Fans who want to attend the show are advised that tickets will be available from 10.00 am on Tuesday 18th January, from BBC Audience Services on 020 8576 1227. For fans planning on coming from some distance please be aware that these tickets do not guarantee entry to the recording of the programme. This is because these tickets are complimentary, and the BBC issues more tickets than required, on the basis that a percentage will be unused. Some fans have had to be turned away in previous years because the capacity of the studio was full.
Saturday 5th March might be a big night for BBC1 in terms of scheduling. Apart from Making Your Mind Up, it is quite possible that this night could see the long awaited return of the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who. The programme is returning as a regular series after a sixteen year absence, with a much bigger budget, starring Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, with a likely prime time slot beginning in March, it is already being promoted by trailers on BBC1.
In a co-incidence, the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine revealed that actor Colin Baker, who played the lead role in the series from 1984-1986, has submitted a possible entry for the UK selection, via BASCA (The British Academy of Songwriters and Composers). He has written the lyrics, along with his daughter Bindy (who sung on the demo) to a song called The Thrill Is In The Chase, with music by George Hastings. With 530 songs submitted to the Academy, his odds of success are stacked against him, even more than when he fought an assortment of monsters and villains as Doctor Who!
Who ever is triumphant for the United Kingdom will be revealed on Saturday 5th March. As one of the big four countries, the United Kingdom has an automatic place in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 on 21st May.
