Love Shine a Light branch of the Samaritans. In a 1997 interview Katrina and the Waves lead vocalist Katrina Leskanich indicated that it was members of the Samaritans who opined that "Love Shine a Light" "was the type of song which would win the Eurovision Song Contest and [so] at the last minute, [Katrina and the Waves] submitted the song with our £250 [entrance fee]" for consideration to vie in the "", the national preselection round for the UK in Eurovision 1997. It was also reported that Carmina Cooper, the manager of Katrina and the Waves and the wife of Alex Cooper, met up
Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 performed 20th at the 1997 Contest, following Hungary and preceding Denmark. After the voting concluded, Russia scored 33 points and placed 15th. The Russian conductor at the contest was a Swedish musician and bass guitarist Rutger Gunnarsson. The voting spokesperson for Russia was Arina Sharapova. Points awarded by the Russian jury: Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 Russia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997] in Dublin, Ireland. The Russian entry was selected internally by the Russian broadcaster Russian Public Television (ORT). Alla Pugacheva represented Russia with the song "Primadonna", which placed 15th and scored 33 points at the