Sonia EXCLUSIVE: Eurovision legend says UK’s bad results in recent years were ‘political’

Sonia Evans has put the UK’s less than stellar results at Eurovision in recent years down to politics.

The singer, 52, memorably finished as runner-up in the 1993 contest with Better The Devil You Know and will be on stage this year to mark the contest being hosted in her native city of Liverpool.

While the UK has won the competition five times and came in second a record 16 times, the country’s performance has been lacklustre in recent years.

Speaking to MailOnline for her new campaign with Camp Viejo, Sonia told how she believes last year’s entry Sam Ryder has turned the UK’s fate around and she thinks Mae Muller has a strong shot at victory.

‘I think a lot of it was political. We just did not have any luck,’ she said. ‘We were always on the other side of the board and all the vitality just went out of it.’

Candid: Sonia Evans has put the UK’s less than stellar results at Eurovision in recent years down to politics 

Contender: Sonia believes last year’s entry Sam Ryder has turned the UK’s fate around and she thinsk Mae Muller (pictured) has a strong shot at victory 

‘Since Sam came along, he has reversed the whole thing. His approach and how positive he was about it, he turned it around. I did an interview with him and he’s the most lovely guy.’

Mae Muller is representing the UK this year with the track I Wrote A Song and has been forced to go on voice rest by her coach ahead of Saturday’s final.   

‘I haven’t seen her yet but she’s doing great. I think she’s got a really good chance,’ Sonia said.

‘She’s fun and vibrant and the song is really catchy. I’ve got a 12-year-old daughter and she thinks it’s brilliant. Fingers crossed she will smash it.

‘You’ve got to stay calm and focused. You’ve got less than three minutes to make an impact. Relax and be on it. Look down that camera lens and connect with the audience.’

Although she was just 22 when she took part, Sonia was already an established artist with several top 20 hits to her name.

The star said it can sometimes be risky for newer artists taking to the stage as it could hamper their chances at future success if they get a low score.

She said: ‘The thing is, if you are an unknown and you come last, it’s not the best thing in the world. 

Hit: Sonia memorably finished as runner-up in the 1993 contest with Better The Devil You Know

She said: ‘I think a lot of it was political. We just did not have any luck. We were always on the other side of the board and all the vitality just went out of it’ 

Uh Oh: Mae has been forced to go on voice rest by her coach ahead of Saturday’s final

‘It’s the highest profile you could get and then you come last, it does play on your mind. I had already established my name and had nothing to prove. If you’re unknown, it’s a tricky thing to choose to do.’

She added: ‘We’ve had well known people who haven’t done so well. Look what it’s done for Sam. If someone is brilliant and they’re not known, give them a chance.’ 

1981 winner and former Bucks Fizz member Jay Aston isn’t as hopeful about the UL’s chances this year and recently admitted she doesn’t think Mae will win.

She said: ‘Sam Ryder changed the whole dynamic and landscape with a phenomenal song, and he’s just such a great performer – he’s just got that star quality.

‘I wish Mae all the luck, but I don’t think it’s a winner if I’ve got to be honest. I think she’ll do really well, hopefully top five, but I don’t think she’ll win unless something amazing happens on the night.’

Campaign: Sonia ‘delivered the cheese’ to Eurivison fans as she partnered with Campo Viejo to delight those who missed out on a ticket

Sonia ‘delivered the cheese’ to Eurovison fans as she partnered with Campo Viejo to delight those who missed out on a ticket.

A lucky winner had the star perform a rendition of Better the Devil You Know on her doorstep, along with being gifted a bottle of wine and a cheeseboard.

Camp Viego is offering Eurovision fans a limited-edition hamper which is now on sale HERE.