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
Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 For the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest held in Dublin, Ireland selected Marc Roberts to represent the country. His song "Mysterious Woman" won the national final selection, which was held in Waterford on 9 March 1997, and was hosted by Pat Kenny. The eight songs presented were then voted on by members of regional juries. Roberts performed 5th in the running order on the night of the contest. "Mysterious Woman" went on to be placed 2nd with 157 points. To date, this was the last time Ireland's Eurovision entry placed in the top five.