FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter fornow We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The Paris-based L’Institute de Eurovision Song - the pan-European body governing the continent’s pop output - warned leaving the EU could mean Great Britain’s glorious Eurovision history might come to an end. Britain’s Eurovision efforts have long been enjoyed across the continent and the nations has likewise enjoyed scrupulously fair adjudication at the hands of the Eurovision judges. Vaya Mentira, chief executive of LIES, said: “It has with a heavy heart that we have decided Britain should no longer compete in Eurovision.

“It wouldn’t be fair on the other countries that Britain is still able to compete despite leaving the EU.”



The decision quickly prompted angry music fans across the UK to set up a campaign group, Save Eurovision, which has already racked up 12,000 followers on Twitter.



The campaign group tweeted: “We are absolutely furious at the decision to #BlockEurovisionAfterBrexit and we will do all we can to #SaveEurovision. Pls join us in our fight!”



Ms Mentira said she would enter discussions with Save Eurovision bosses, but the steering group’s decision was final.



The UK has a chequered history in the Eurovision.



They won the competition on five occasions, most recently in 1997.

Surie, who ranked in 24th place, represented the UK in 2018

However the years since has been almost repeated humiliation, coming last in 2003, 2008 and 2010, with zero points in 2003.



In 2018 the UK was represented by Surie, who ranked in 24th place with 48 points for her performance of Storm.



The decision to block Eurovision after Brexit comes after former Prime Minister David Cameron reassured fans of the show that the country would still be competing in the contest.



During PMQs ahead of the referendum campaign he told MPs: “I think that would not only be very sad but I think given that Israel and Azerbaijan and anyone anywhere near Europe seems to be able to – (even) Australia – I think we're pretty safe from that one.”



The president of the UK Eurovision fan club, Alasdair Rendall, also told fans Britain's place is not under threat.



He said: “No, we would not be barred. All participating countries must be a member of the European Broadcasting Union.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron

“The EBU, which is totally independent of the EU, includes countries both inside and outside of the EU, and also includes countries such as Israel that are outside of Europe.



“Indeed, the UK started participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957, 16 years before joining the then EEC.”



And Theresa May put everyone’s mind at rest when she said the country would not be dropping out of the popular contest.



But Ms Mentira told Express.co.uk: “It is unfortunate for British music fans, but we have a duty to protect the performers and music fans from other member states.”

Prime Minister Theresa May