±«Óãtv

Pop superstars Blue will represent the UK in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest. For the very first time the UK will send an established, internationally successful music act as our entry, calling for the whole of Britain to " back Blue".

The massively successful group, who celebrate their 10th anniversary this year, will travel to the competition’s live show in Dusseldorf this May to perform their brand new, self-penned song I Can, in front of an estimated 125 million viewers worldwide.

Blue formed in 2000 and have to date sold over 13 million records, won two Brit Awards and had 40 No. 1 singles worldwide including huge success across Italy, France and Germany. After a four-year hiatus, the band reformed for a string of summer gigs in 2009, before starting to work on new material in 2010.

In coming weeks filming will start on a one-hour documentary programme showing Blue’s preparation for the Eurovision Song Contest. It will feature them recording I Can, travelling to Europe to promote the entry and receiving advice, help and hints from some of the biggest names in the music business. It will air on ±«Óãtv One in April.

±«Óãtv Head of Entertainment and Events Katie Taylor says: "We’re enormously pleased to have found an act that not only meets but exceeds all the criteria for a great entry. Blue are the perfect choice and we’re so proud to have them representing us at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest."

Eurovision Executive Producer Phil Parsons says: "I'm thrilled that Blue will represent the UK this year. We have a highly credible act who have had a string of smash hits in this country and they've also been hugely successful around Europe too. There's a lot of genuine affection for them here and abroad. They're real pop stars who have superb vocal ability, have great on stage presence and can really deliver on the night in Dusseldorf. That's why Britain's backing Blue!"

The band – Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe – is delighted to be representing Britain. Duncan says: "We're celebrating our 10 years together in 2011, so when the ±«Óãtv approached us it seemed a great way to mark the occasion and also to be part of something which is still a British Institution."

Lee adds: "We're excited to be performing again in the UK and Europe and hope that the fans who supported us before will embrace our new songs".

Simon says: "I've always wanted to represent my country, so this is a truly exciting experience for Blue".

Antony adds: "We hope you all love I Can and that it reaches out to a whole new audience in our bid to do Britain proud!"

The Eurovision Song Competition will take place on Saturday 14 May in Dusseldorf, and be broadcast live on ±«Óãtv One, with commentary by Graham Norton.

SM4