LONDON -- The people have spoken: pop duo Joe & Jake will represent the UK at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.
The pair won the most votes from the public out of six acts that performed in London on Friday night. Their song, "You’re Not Alone," is an earnest indie rock-style pop tune that the panellists praised.
Could Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft finally bring home the Eurovision glory that has eluded the UK since Katrina and the Waves in 1997?
Probably not, according to bookmakers. William Hill set the odds for winning at 20/1 but odds for a "nul points" result at 10/1, the Guardian reported.
Reactions on Twitter ranged from cautious optimism to outright face palm.
Is there a number we can call to send Katrina and the Waves to Eurovision again? #EurovisionYouDecide— Ian Sinkins (@iansinkins) February 26, 2016
Oh Gawd, maybe it will grow on us! #EurovisionYouDecide— Skint London (@SkintLondon) February 26, 2016
#EurovisionYouDecide #youdecide No chance UK. Just singers singing. Where's the TV spectacle? Strippers, belly dancers, bearded ladies?— jatx (@jatx) February 27, 2016
I've watched 'eurovision - you decide' and can confidently say we will get nil points. Is this really the best we have? @bbceurovision— Jasmine Storm (@Jasminestormy) February 27, 2016
The morning after the night before #EurovisionYouDecide #bbceurovision #ESC pic.twitter.com/DQHulgy0W0— Scott (@scottacr) February 27, 2016
And of course, Eurovision is always political, but that dimension will be even more pronounced this year in the run-up to the European Union in/out referendum on June 23.
#eurovisionyoudecide the public vote for stuff like mps & referenda this proves we cant let them vote on something as serious as eurovision— Richard Banks (@outkastman) February 26, 2016
When someone mentions Brexit and #Eurovision in the same sentence #EurovisionUK pic.twitter.com/JjI1osIqeY— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) February 26, 2016
This year's Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Stockholm on May 14. There's been a shake-up in the rules this year so scores from professional juries and the public will be announced separately, in order to create suspense over the winner.