UK Eurovision vote goes to Essex teenager

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The moment Josh Dubovie was told he would be singing for the UK

A teenager from Essex has been chosen to represent the UK in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Josh Dubovie, who is 19 and from Basildon, won the most public votes after performing live on Your Country Needs You! on BBC One.

Six previously unknown acts competed for the chance to perform a Mike Stock and Pete Waterman song, called That Sounds Good To Me, in Oslo in May.

Dubovie said: "I'm so so happy, I really can't believe it. Is this real?"

He added: "I never believed I'd come this far. The minute I heard the song I thought it was a definite winner."

After an initial round performing hit songs, three of the acts were picked by Waterman to sing the new tune, with the public then voting for their favourite.

Dubovie, who performs professionally at charity evenings, festivals and sports events, sang Jason Donovan hit Too Many Broken Hearts, then the Eurovision song.

In second place was Alexis Gerred, 20, from Biggin Hill, Kent, while Esma Akkilic, 17, from north London, came third.

Last year's winner of the UK search Jade Ewen, then unknown but now a member of girl band Sugababes, finished fifth at Eurovision, with a song composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

It was the UK's best placing for seven years after a run of disastrous results.

Waterman, who was part of the team behind hits for Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Steps, had remained tight-lipped about his new composition, which was heard in public for the first time on Your Country Needs You!

Speaking on Friday on BBC Breakfast, Waterman said he and Stock "were not frightened" by the challenge and were "used to the pressure".

"This really is what we do, write three-minute Euro pop songs," he added, and praised Lloyd Webber for having staked his reputation on spearheading the UK's challenge in 2009.

"It's like entering a competition every time you write [a pop song]. You're after a number one, not a number two," he continued.