Eurovision A quick chat with Jade Ewen

Jade Ewen flies the flag for the UK at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, May 16...

It’s four months since Jade Ewen won Your Country Needs You and the chance to represent the UK at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The singing extravaganza takes place in Moscow on Saturday night, with Graham Norton taking over from Terry Wogan in the commentary box for BBC One's live coverage.

Can Ewen’s rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s It’s My Time break the UK’s run of Eurovision failure? We caught up with the singer, who also features earlier in the evening in a BBC One documentary called Jade’s Story, to find out...

When I was chosen it was overwhelming. I didn’t believe it would happen for me... "I always watched other people on shows and thought I’d never cry, but you just do. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so happy."

I feel pressured because we haven’t done well in recent years... "We came last in 2008 and anything has got to be an improvement. I think Andrew Lloyd Webber’s got more to lose than I have, but at least we’re in it together."

It was so weird hearing my single on the radio... "It is something I’ve always dreamed of. I’d listened to it a million times, but I still sat there and listened like I’d never heard it before."

My mum has been recognised more than me… "Last week I was only recognised because I was standing next to her."

I used to work in a hair salon… "It doesn’t sound that bad, but I had all the rubbish jobs like sweeping up hair and making coffees. That was an inspiration to never do it again."


I’d love to make it in America... "I don’t think it’s impossible because people like Adele, Leona Lewis and Amy Winehouse have all done well. Why not?"

I want to be an all-rounder like Jennifer Lopez... "Hopefully, after my album, I’ll do a few movies. I’d love to be in something like Heroes."

Gary Barlow wants to write some songs for my album... When I found out, I did a bit of a jig on the spot. I loved Take That when I was little so it’s nuts. I’ve gone from nothing to Gary Barlow suddenly knowing who I am."