In 2007, the UK’s hopes and dreams all rested on the shoulders of four individuals – Natalie Powers, , Caroline Barnes, and Russ Spencer.
Their collective name was Scooch and they were battling it out toat with a flight attendant-themed routine.
The British pop group sang their hearts out to Flying the Flag (For You) in Helsinki, and ended the competition in 22nd position.
Natalie, 45, tells us exactly what it’s like to represent the UK at the international competition so we know what at the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena this weekend.
Preparation for the big day
‘We spent around 40 hours rehearsing that one song for Eurovision, so by the time we flew to Finland we knew it like the back of our hands.
For me, the big thing was being fit enough to be able to move around the stage, and not let it affect my voice. My training involved taking my dog out on a park run and singing Flying the Flag. It was my own Julie Andrews’ The Hills Are Alive moment. Luckily I don’t think anybody saw, or heard, me as I’d go pretty early.
We arrived in the host country Finland about a week before the final. We were met at the airports by fans, and then taken to a luxurious hotel – it was A-lister treatment.
We spent our time in Finland performing gigs and doing lots of press interviews, and then when we’d get back to the hotel we’d end up bumping into our competitors in the hallway. It was kept to a very simple but polite, ‘Hi, how are you? How was your sound check?’ Everybody wanted to stay focused on themselves.
Getting real
We went to rehearse at the Helsinki Hall about two days before the actual competition. We only had around ten minutes on stage, and they were very strict about that. There was a clock that counted down the seconds. It was a conveyor belt of activity.
When we returned for show day, it was also a military operation to get makeup done. The room we had our glam done was one of the biggest I’ve ever seen. It was just rows of mirrors with makeup artists and hair stylists preening us all.
We arrived at the arena at around nine am and had continual top-ups until show time at around seven pm. It was about an inch thick by the time we sang.
Although there’s always a lot going on backstage, it’s very well planned so it doesn’t ever feel chaotic.
We spent hours in a holding area, and I was just steadily getting more nervous. By the end of the day, I was absolutely pooing my pants. It’s definitely the most nervous I’ve ever been in my entire life, and probably ever will be. I was just hoping that my voice didn’t crack, I stayed standing up and didn’t forget the lyrics.
Showtime
The stadium is huge, so the walk from our holding area to the stage felt like it went on for a long time. You don’t really know where you are at any point because it’s so massive, and it all looks the same. The chaperone would just walk us to wherever we needed to be. We were never really left on our own.
The winner of Eurovision was Serbia’s Marija Šerifović, and she was the act who performed two before us. I remember watching from the wing and thinking, ‘Why do we have to follow her?’ The crowd was going mad. Verka Serduchka from Ukraine was next and once he finished singing we had a group hug. I didn’t say a word as I was so nervous, but I think someone gave us some words of encouragement.
While the video postcard was playing on the big screen and for the viewers at home we took our position.
Once the music started I felt more at ease as I was just hyper-focused on getting through it without any mishaps.
When I looked out at the audience I couldn’t really see people, it was just a blur of activity. I guess if you focused on the front few rows you may see some individuals, but I was singing out.
I don’t recall seeing any cameras. Whereas when we did performances like Top of the Pops, they’d be very visible with red lights on top so you know exactly where to look. This means although you are performing to thousands in the studio and millions at home, you are able to focus on the performance. My musical theatre background also helped.
The word enjoyable doesn’t even cut it, it was just an incredible experience.
My one change
It was the first time I’d properly used earbuds, which allowed you to hear your music and your own voice. Before Eurovision, we didn’t really ever sing live. That was quite common with pop back then. We might add in a few ad libs, or sing over the top but it would be the full track.
I decided I’d only wear one earbud at the rehearsal. It worked well, so I did the same for the final. That was a mistake as the cheering was so loud that I could only just hear the music and I definitely couldn’t hear myself. I’m surprised I managed to sing in tune.
When I watch it back now I can tell that I’m over-singing as I was having a nightmare with the sound. If I could change one thing, it would be that!
The aftermath
Once the performances are over it definitely turns into more of a party atmosphere. Everything gets more noisy and the presenters are running into each country’s dressing rooms asking questions and getting reactions to the scores coming in.
I don’t drink but my bandmates definitely made the most of the free champagne on offer while I was having sparkling water.
We went crazy when Malta gave us the full points as if we’d won the whole competition. Scooch never expected to win, so we took the small wins where we could! Our position on the leaderboard didn’t spoil our enjoyment at all.
There was an after-party with all the acts, and I don’t remember much about it except that it felt good to be there after such a massive achievement.
We flew home the next day, and all returned to our normal lives. We’d only reunited as a band for the competition, so even though we had a UK number one we all went back to our old lives. I went back to running my performing arts school, which is what I loved doing.
Eurovision lives on
I feel very lucky to have been a part of Eurovision, and I get involved in the festivities in some way each year. It’s actually difficult for me to believe now that I was there. It’s all a bit bizarre.
I’ve got three children now, and I’ll show them clips. They don’t really understand that I was the Eurovision representation. Although my daughter did tell her drama teacher the other day!
Scooch all live across the UK now so we don’t get to see each other often, but when we do it’s lovely to reminisce.’
The Eurovision grand final is on BBC One at 8pm tonight.
