Sea of Flags Eurovision in Australia for over 30 years, to choose a performer and they eventually picked Mauboy. Her appearance would mark the first time Australia has been represented at Eurovision and she would become the first solo artist from a non-European Broadcasting Union country to perform as a guest. However, Mauboy is not the first Australian to perform in the contest as Olivia Newton John, The New Seekers and Gina G have previously taken part as competing acts representing the United Kingdom. Mauboy told Fairfax Media that she planned to use her Eurovision exposure as a way in to tour Europe.
UK national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 24 May 2008 in Belgrade, finishing in last place, although sharing the same score with Poland (24th) and Germany (23rd). The BBC announced in a televised call for talent on 18 October 2008, that in 2009 there would be another change to the national final. The show was renamed "Eurovision: Your Country Needs You", hosted by Graham Norton, and followed a format similar to popular BBC talent shows "I'd Do Anything" and "Any Dream Will Do". The multi-week format had members of the public (amateur or professional) compete to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, which was