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Hawkins slams 'racist or stupid' public
This is LondonUpdated 10:23am on 20 Mar 2007
Eurovision loser Justin Hawkins says Saturday's contest was a "stitch-up" and branded the British public "either racist or stupid" for choosing Scooch.
The former frontman for glam rock band The Darkness partnered black singer Beverlei Brown on his entry They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To.
Viewers of BBC1's Making Your Mind Up show saw him storm off stage when the pair were voted off. Hip-hop act Big Brovaz also lost out to Scooch.
On his website, Hawkins raged: "The United Kingdom must be either racist or stupid not to have voted for Big Brovaz or Beverlei Brown (she looked and sounded fantastic).
"It's like when multi-award winning, multi-million selling Lemar lost to David '3 stars at Burger King' Sneddon in Fame Academy all those years ago. Nothing ever changes.
"The whole thing whiffed of a stitch-up, particularly when you consider that our supporters had their banners confiscated by security, whilst Scooch fans were filmed proudly waving theirs.
"When Big Brovas were eliminated, my heart sank and I thought, 'the dream is over.' I was right."
Reader views (11)
I wish Justin good luck in his future singing career on cruise ships and holiday camps, since that is the next step up for Eurovision sore losers of his caliber.
- Alexa, London, 20/03/2007 15:53
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Anyone who's ever seen the Father Ted Euro song episode will know exactly what's going on here - Come on altogether now "My lovely horse...."
- Steve, London, 20/03/2007 14:50
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They were the best act by a mile. Scooch, you have to be having a laugh what a load of toilet that is. They are like a steps tribute band but worse!
- Gary King, Woking, 20/03/2007 12:57
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I always thought The Darkness were a great band. Until Justin opened his mouth. That high pitched whine is just horrible. That's why we didn't vote for you. Perhaps if you sung in a normal pitch, not something that only dogs can hear you might be in for a chance.
- Ed, London, 20/03/2007 12:47
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After the groundbreaking victory of Lordi last year, the BBC had the opportunity to go for something different this year, and could have actually presented a selection of songs that were good for once. But no. We were presented with a selection of mediocre pop songs which would all bomb if released as normal, and the listeners, who must all have been tone deaf teenagers, picked one of the worst. The UK loses cred on this year after year. Why not get a proven songwriter to do Eurovision? Ask Morrissey, or The Feeling, or The Arctic Monkeys? We're just becoming an embarassment!
- Vicky, London, UK, 20/03/2007 11:44
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If Beverly sang alone she would have won - Justin H ruined the performance, can't harmonise, in fact all he can do is scream!
- Peter Moss, London, UK, 20/03/2007 11:37
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Bad loser Justin? The reason you didn't win wasn't down to stupidity or rascism. You didn't win because you were totally rubbish! And just for the record, the song wasn't really that bad - until you started singing!
- Lb, London, 20/03/2007 11:04
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There may be some truth in what he says, however we'll never really know as Beverlei's peformance was dragged down by Justin's inability. She was brilliant, he was awful.
Big Brovas tune was not a Eurovision winner, the only vaguely catchy hook was a one line advert for them. The remaining acts were either un memorable or French. Unfortuantley Scooch were the only viable option, no matter how dire.
- Simon, London, England, 20/03/2007 10:37
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Unfortunately as the whole Eurovision 'thing' generally produces hideous stomach-turning tunes. I think a large percentage of the normal music-loving community was unable to sit through the whole programme (if they could be bothered to watch at all) and found other things to do instead.
- Marianne, SW France, 20/03/2007 10:02
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Well, if the British public are stupid to not like Justin Hawkins then I'm quite happy with the label. Now, if Mr Hawkins would please go back to working in a greengrocers, where his talents are obviously more suited then we'll all be happy.
- Trevor Roll, London, 20/03/2007 09:51
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I had the mis-fortune to watch this audition and he was TRULY awful, seriously cringe-worthy and out of tune - if anyone ruined their chances of singing for Eurovision it was him, not his co-singer!
- Isabel, Woking, England, 20/03/2007 09:38
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