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Josh Dubovie, 19 from Basildon, Essex, was voted by the public to be the country's representative in the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo this May.

On ´óÏó´«Ã½ One's Eurovision: Your Country Needs You! tonight Josh's dreams came true as Graham Norton announced that the viewers had voted him as the performer with a chance of Euro-glory.

The six Eurovision hopefuls sang live with their own versions of some of Pete Waterman's iconic songs. Karen, Alexis, UNI5, Esma, Josh and Miss Fitz gave show-stopping performances before Pete with advice from the panellists, Jade Ewen and Bruno Tonioli, chose the three acts who he felt should perform the UK song, making its debut tonight on the programme.

Alexis, Esma and Josh gave their rendition of That Sounds Good To Me produced by Pete Waterman and Mike Stock. As votes were counted, the Sugababes performed their new single Wear My Kiss. The programme also included Andrew Lloyd Webber's specially recorded message as he handed over the Eurovision baton to his pop successor.

As the three final acts faced a nervous wait to hear the public verdict, last year's Eurovision winner, Scandinavian superstar Alexander Rybak, sang Fairytale to a live studio audience.

However, it was Josh who impressed the most and won the viewers approval.

Immediately after winning Josh said: "I'm so so happy, I really can't believe it – is this real? I never believed I'd come this far."

About Pete and Mike's song Josh said: "The minute I heard the song I thought it was a definite winner, I'm so happy I'm going to sing it in Oslo."

Pete Waterman said: "Josh performed it brilliantly and I've got a lot of faith in the public. Now it's off to Oslo and 'that sounds good to me'!"

More gossip and chat from behind the scenes, plus the first interview with the new UK entrant can be found on bbc.co.uk/eurovision.

Notes to Editors

Songs performed:

Karen – What Do I Have To Do, Kylie Minogue

Alexis – Never Gonna Give You Up, Rick Astley

UNI5 – Last Thing On My Mind, Bananarama

Esma – This Time I Know It's For Real, Donna Summer

Josh – Too Many Broken Hearts, Jason Donovan

Miss Fitz – Better The Devil You Know, Steps

Group number with all six finalists performing a medley of – Take a Chance on Me/Dancing Queen, Abba

The three finalists – That Sounds Good To Me, The UK Eurovision entry song, Stock & Waterman

The Eurovision Song Contest Final is on Saturday 29 May in Oslo.

PA/JD