United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 ultimately selected six finalists to compete in the national final. The six competing songs were premiered during "The Ken Bruce Show" on BBC Radio 2 on 22 February 2016. Six acts compete in the televised final on 26 February 2016. In addition to their performances, guest performers included previous Eurovision Song Contest winners Måns Zelmerlöw, who won the contest for Sweden in with the song "Heroes", and Katrina Leskanich, who won the contest for the United Kingdom in as the lead vocalist of the band Katrina and the Waves performing the song "Love Shine a Light". The show also featured
Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 Gary O'Shaughnessy represented Ireland in the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen after winning the national final selection. O'Shaughnessy had previously competed in the 1997 and 1999 national selections, coming in 3rd and 5th place respectively. His song "Without Your Love" was one of seven songs presented in the national final, which was held on 25 February 2001 at the RTÉ television centre in Dublin. Louise Loughman hosted the event, and regional televoting was used to determine the winner. Though O'Shaughnessy won with the most points from the televoting regions, he only received