The BBC has revealed that singer/songwriter Molly Smitten-Downes will represent the UK at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. She will be performing her own song entitled Children of the Universe.
That's all well and good - but who is Molly? Turns out she has been singing and writing for over 10 years. The 26-year-old from Leicestershire was originally discovered through BBC Introducing, a scheme which brings together all of the BBC's supporters of undiscovered and unsigned music. She was then chosen for the coveted spot in the famous competition.
In 2012 she was awarded Best Urban/Pop Act at Live and Unsigned, has performed at numerous festivals including Sundown and in 2013 won Best Song at the Best of British Unsigned Music Awards. She has worked with artists such as Jake Bugg, Tinie Tempah, Labrinth and Chase and Status.
The song Children of the Universe is, according to the BBC, 'an anthemic, uplifting track specifically written with live performance in mind'. Talking about her exciting new European gig, Molly says: “To represent the United Kingdom in such a huge competition, not only as a singer and performer, but as a songwriter is an unbelievable honour. I hope I can do us proud.”
Molly will be the latest British hopeful to fly the flag; we've showcased a few of the UK acts who've all had different degrees of luck. Let's hope Molly becomes the UK's next Bucks Fizz and not Jemini!