United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 member of the "Big 5", the United Kingdom automatically qualified to compete in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Prior to the 2018 contest, the United Kingdom has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixty times. Thus far, the United Kingdom has won the contest five times: in 1967 with the song "Puppet on a String" performed by Sandie Shaw, in 1969 with the song "Boom Bang-a-Bang" performed by Lulu, in 1976 with the song "Save Your Kisses for Me" performed by Brotherhood of Man, in 1981 with the song "Making Your Mind Up" performed by Bucks Fizz and
Save Your Kisses for Me as he leaves for work. The song's final line provided the twist: that he was leaving a three-year-old behind, ending with ""Won't you save them for me...even though you're only three?"". It was awarded the maximum twelve points by seven countries, totalling 164 points compared to the second-placed French entry with 147 points, and was the second consecutive Eurovision winner that was performed first in the order of presentation. According to John Kennedy O'Connor's "The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History", the song is the biggest selling single for a winning entry in the history of the contest. It