大象传媒

In this one-off special on the 16th May, Graham Norton will give UK viewers the opportunity to take part in a live vote to crown their favourite Eurovision performance from an eclectic short list of songs compiled by experts and celebrity super fans.

A diverse mix of panellists were selected to ensure we had a wide range of ages and genders contributing to the short list. Panelists were asked to choose their top 10 Eurovision songs of all time. This included any winning and non-winning songs from the entire contest pre dating 2020. Songs due to be performed in 2020's contest were not included.

Panellists were asked to choose songs based on the following criteria; 'Eurovision songs that you believe are modern day classics or songs that have stood the test of time. Please consider the overall package, ie the live performance, the staging, and the song.' Panellists were excluded from choosing songs they had prior involvement with, as artist, writer, publicist, or vocal coach.

The results of the panel were then combined and from this a list of the most popular songs to be put to a public online vote on the 16th May was produced. The running order in the television show is based solely on editorial decisions and does not reflect a position in the overall ranking of songs.

• Dancing Lasha Tumbai - Verka Serduchka (Ukraine) - 2007
• Diva - Dana International (Israel) - 1998
• Euphoria - Loreen (Sweden) – 2012
• Fairytale - Alexander Rybak (Norway) - 2009
• Fuego - Eleni Foureira (Cyprus) - 2018
• Heroes - Måns Zelmerlöw (Sweden) - 2015
• Love Shine A Light - Katrina & The Waves (UK) - 1997
• Making Your Mind Up - Bucks Fizz (UK) - 1981
• Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu - Domenico Modugno - (Italy) - 1958
• Ooh…Aah…Just A Little Bit - Gina G (UK) - 1996
• Poupée de cire, poupée de son - France Gall (Luxembourg) - 1965
• Rhythm Inside - Loïc Nottet (Belgium) – 2015
• Rise Like A Phoenix - Conchita Wurst (Austria) - 2014
• Satellite - Lena (Germany) - 2010
• Save Your Kisses for Me - Brotherhood of Man (UK) - 1976
• Soldi - Mahmood (Italy) - 2019
• Sound of Silence - Dami Im (Australia) – 2016
• Toy - Netta (Israel) - 2018
• Waterloo - Abba (Sweden) - 1974

Rylan Clark-Neal - UK commentator, 大象传媒 Four
Scott Mills - UK commentator, 大象传媒 Four
Mel Giedroyc - National final host and former 大象传媒 Four commentator
Ken Bruce - Radio 2 commentator
Adele Roberts - Radio 1 DJ, UK Eurovision jury member 2019
Mark De-Lisser - Eurovision Vocal Coach
Nicki French - UK Eurovision entrant 2000 and London Eurovision Party co-host
Paul Jordan - Dr Eurovision – Eurovision pundit and expert
Heidi Stephens - Guardian TV live blogger and Eurovision fan
Steve Holden - Music reporter for Radio 1 Newsbeat and Eurovision fan
Mandy Norman - Eurovision superfan - attended Eurovision since 2003
Alasdair Rendall - President of OGAE (UK Eurovision fan club)
Sarah Cawood - Former 大象传媒 Three Eurovision commentator
SuRie - UK Eurovision entrant 2018
Joel - Eurovision superfan, featuring in 大象传媒 Eurovision 2019 online content
William Lee Adams - Eurovision blogger
Zoe London - DJ and Eurovision superfan
Lucy Percy - Eurovision blogger

Your trust is very important to us. The 大象传媒 is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. It is important that you read this notice so that you are aware of how and why we are using such information. This privacy notice describes how we collect and use personal information about you during and after your relationship with us, in accordance with data protection law.

Additional information can be found in the . Where there is inconsistency between those documents and this notice, this notice shall prevail.

It’s up to you how you use our services. And you can manage or delete your 大象传媒 account at any time. There’s more info on managing your account here. Because we’re a public service, we will help you make informed decisions about your information, so everyone can get the best out of digital technologies and the 大象传媒. You can find out what we're doing with your information here. You can find out more about cookies here.

What will we collect and how we use it?

The 大象传媒 is the data controller of your information that is collected. This means that the 大象传媒 decides what your personal data is used for, and the ways in which it is processed. The personal information that is collected is 大象传媒 account details and voting choice. Telescope is the 大象传媒’s data processor and is contracted to the 大象传媒 to provide the platform. This means Telescope can only use your personal data within the parameters set by the 大象传媒. Telescope will collect your IP address along with other 大象传媒 account information such as 大象传媒 iD and geographic location derived from your IP address in order to provide a robust and reliable vote result to the 大象传媒 (this will include counting and capping votes as well as checking for irregularities). The lawful basis for processing is the legitimate interests of the 大象传媒 to deliver valid votes to the 大象传媒’s audience – for both those who take part and for those that consume content based on those results. This yields richer and more engaging content for all of our audiences and is not an unreasonable infringement on the rights and freedoms of the individual 大象传媒 audience members.

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Your rights and more information
If you need help with managing your account settings and the information we hold, you can find out how to do this here.
If you have any questions about how the 大象传媒 handles your personal information, or you wish to find out about your rights, please visit the 大象传媒’s . You will also be able to find out more information about how the 大象传媒 processes your information and how you can contact the 大象传媒’s Data Protection Officer.

If you raise a concern with the 大象传媒 about the way it has handled your personal information, you are entitled to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. In the UK, the supervisory authority is the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which can be contacted at

1. You can take part by accessing bbc.co.uk/eurovision. You will find the question and a list of alternative answers. You can register your vote by electronically selecting the option you wish to vote for.

2. Any votes registered outside the announced voting times, which will be listed online and on-air, will not count.

3. Online voting requires you to log into the page with your 大象传媒 account at . If you do not have a 大象传媒 account, you can register for one for free at . If you have any trouble registering or signing in, you can visit the help pages at https://www.bbc.com/signin/help

4. This is not a competition and there will be no prize for any option or anyone taking part. Where the vote result has a consequence the 大象传媒 will endeavour to meet it but editorial requirements may lead to a change in schedule or a change in programme content. However, the vote result stands.

5. The number of times you can vote may be restricted. The presence of a cap to voting and what that limit is will be made clear for each vote. Some votes may be restricted geographically to within the UK only. If you are not in the right area you will not see the vote.

6. Live results may be displayed during the vote window. These should not be taken as an indicator of the final published results, but merely as a snapshot for interest. The 大象传媒 will announce the final result on-air and/or online when voting is closed and the actual result is known.

7. The 大象传媒 reserves the right to disqualify entries or suspend voting if it has reasonable grounds to suspect that fraudulent voting has occurred or if it considers there has been any attempt to rig the voting. The 大象传媒 has the right to substitute an alternative selection method at its absolute discretion. For the purposes of investigating possible voting irregularities when voting on 大象传媒 web pages using 大象传媒 account the 大象传媒 may use cookies, log IP addresses or analyse the information from your 大象传媒 account. The 大象传媒 will not publish this information or provide it to anyone without permission, except where required for enforcement of these terms. For more information please see:, how the and 大象传媒 online Terms of Use.

8. If, for any reason, the online voting system fails, the vote may be suspended or a contingency plan may be actioned.

9. The 大象传媒 reserves the right to change, cancel or suspend this vote at any time.

10. The 大象传媒, its sub-contractors, subsidiaries and/or agencies cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any technical failure or malfunction or any other problem with any system, server, provider or otherwise which may result in any vote not being received by the 大象传媒, not properly registered or recorded.

11. Please note that 大象传媒, 大象传媒 Group or Telescope employees or anyone who is directly connected in any way with the associated 大象传媒 content or the vote is not eligible to vote.

12. The voting accords with the 大象传媒's Code of Conduct for Competitions and Voting, details of which can be found on the 大象传媒's Standards and Guidelines website at

13. Online votes are subject to the 大象传媒 Privacy and Cookies Policy found at more information about Cookies can be found atand 大象传媒 online Terms of Use found at

14. These Terms and Conditions are governed by the law of England and Wales.

How do I vote online?

In order to cast your vote, you must sign in to your 大象传媒 account which you can do here. If you do not already have a 大象传媒 account you will need to register before you can vote

Once you have created a 大象传媒 account you are then ready to go. You are advised to sign in to your 大象传媒 account before the vote opens.
During the live show the presenter will let you know when the vote has opened. You will then be able to cast your vote online here

Why is the online vote not displaying properly?

If the vote is not displaying correctly on your device then please try refreshing the page or using a different browser or device.
If you are using an ad-blocker then this may inhibit your ability to cast your vote. If you disable the blocker and refresh the page then you should be able to cast your vote.

Why am I getting a white box where the vote should be displayed?

If you have chosen to disable third party cookies in your browser on any device then you may not be able to vote. After you have signed in or registered your 大象传媒 account, if you are seeing a white box where the vote should be then you will need to enable third party cookies in your browser on that device or use another browser where you have this already enabled.

Why does the 大象传媒 think I'm outside the UK?

You must be in the UK to vote online. If you are in the UK but the 大象传媒 website thinks that you are located outside the UK it may be because you are using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), proxy, or similar service which masks your IP address. Try disabling your VPN and reload to vote.

How many times can I vote online?

You can vote online a maximum of 3 times. It may appear as if you have been able to cast more than 3 votes however only your first 3 valid votes will have been counted.

Can I vote using my smart phone or tablet?

You can vote online using your mobile phone, tablet or your home computer. Online votes on different devices using the same 大象传媒 account details will count towards the maximum number of votes per account. For Eurovision Come Together, the maximum number of votes per account will be 3.

Can I vote via the 大象传媒 iPlayer app?

You cannot vote via the 大象传媒 iPlayer app on your Smart TV, tablet or smart phone. Please visit bbc.co.uk/Eurovision to vote where you may need to sign in again or register to cast a vote.

Why is the ‘VOTE NOW’ button not working?

If you’re trying to vote but the ‘VOTE NOW’ button has turned grey and you’re having trouble submitting your vote then you might not have correctly selected a vote option. To select your chosen option, click the box or image you want to vote for until the text box changes colour and a tick appears in the right hand corner of the text box. The ‘VOTE NOW’ button should now be available to click and submit your vote. You can change your vote option at any time before you have clicked ‘VOTE NOW’ by just clicking another option until it changes colour and the tick now appears in that box. Once you have submitted your vote you cannot change your vote.

Why do I get the ‘Thank you for voting’ message when I vote on another device or browser?

The Eurovision Come Together vote is capped (see above). If you have already voted the maximum number of times and you go to the vote page on another browser or device and where you are already signed in, or subsequently sign in to your account on the vote page, then you will see the ‘Thank you for voting’ message because you have already cast the maximum number of votes allowed.

Why has the ‘VOTE AGAIN’ button disappeared?

The Eurovision Come Together vote is capped and votes must be cast one at a time. After your first vote you will see the ‘VOTE AGAIN’ button which will allow you to cast another vote. You can repeat this process to cast multiple votes one at a time for different songs or the same one. Once you have used the maximum number of votes allowed as stated on the vote, the ‘VOTE AGAIN’ button will disappear and you will not be able to cast any further votes.

Why is the vote not working on my version of Internet Explorer?

The default security settings of some Internet Explorer browser versions may prevent the vote from displaying on the page correctly. Please use another browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari or a different device and visit bbc.co.uk/eurovision to cast your vote when it is open.

What if I can't remember the password to my 大象传媒 account?

If you have a 大象传媒 account, but can't remember your password, you'll need to reset it. You can find out how to do that here /usingthebbc/account/how-do-i-change-my-password/.

When registering for a 大象传媒 account what information do I need to give?

This depends on your age. We ask everyone to provide us with your date of birth, gender and a secure password.

For anyone aged 13 and over, we ask users to provide an email address, and let us know if they would like to receive emails about things they’ll love. Your email address lets you reset your password if you forget it. And it means we can get in touch if we need to tell you about something new, like a change to our terms of use. For anyone under 13 years old, we ask you to provide a username, but no email, so it’s important you remember it (as well as your password), because we won’t be able contact you.
If you are 18 years or older, we ask for your postcode, and if you are under 18, we ask for your hometown. If you previously used to sign in with a username, you'll need to use your email address from now on if you are over 13. If you previously signed in with Facebook or Google+, we unfortunately do not use these platforms to sign in anymore. If you haven’t signed in to your account in the last year, then it may have been closed unless you have signed in with an email address. If that’s the case, you will need to register for a 大象传媒 account again.

Why are you asking for my age, postcode/hometown or gender when I register for a 大象传媒 account?

We use your age, postcode/hometown and gender to give you relevant local info online and in any email newsletters you sign up for. We also use this information to ensure we are making something for everyone, as part of our public service remit. Some parts of the 大象传媒 are only meant for certain ages. We also need to know how old you are to make sure you can use the parts that are meant for you.Find out more about how we use your data

What if I don’t want to register now?

If you decide not to proceed with registering your 大象传媒 account then unfortunately you will not be able to cast your vote.

Why when I click on sign in am I not taken to the sign in page?

If you click on sign in and you are already signed in to your 大象传媒 account then you will be directed to the 大象传媒 homepage or you will remain on the same page. That means you are ready to cast your vote once it opens here.

I'm having another problem signing into my account that's not covered here - where can I go for help?

We have a separate page that can answer your questions around signing in to your 大象传媒 account, and also put you in touch with someone if you are unable to find the answer you need. Visit

I don't have an existing 大象传媒 account, and need to register for one so I can vote, but need help. Where can I go?

We have a separate page that can answer your questions around registering for a new 大象传媒 account, and also put you in touch with someone if you are unable to find the answer you need. Visit

If you have not used your account in a while and have forgotten your password you will need to click on the 'forgotten password' link before the show to allow enough time for a new password to be sent through. This will only be possible if you provided a valid email address when registering.

What exactly is a 大象传媒 account?

If you have any questions about your 大象传媒 account you can find some here which might help.

Why are you asking if I want email updates about more things I’ll love?
You can decide if you want to receive occasional emails to tell you about 大象传媒 programmes and services or not. It's completely up to you. We may personalise them based on your location and how you use the 大象传媒 online site, to help you get the most from the 大象传媒. Find out more about the emails here. You can also unsubscribe at any time.

Is there a cost to vote online?

No, you will not be charged to vote online by visiting bbc.co.uk/Eurovision during the live show. Please check your broadband or mobile contract to check the cost of using data services.

Why are Voting Figures for The Greatest Dancer not published?

We invite you to vote for the act that you liked best, based on their performance in each show and during the series. Releasing voting figures could affect the way that people vote, and also have an impact on the participants. We therefore do not disclose the exact voting figures.

Although we are subject to the Freedom of Information Act, information which is closely connected to our programme-making is not covered by the Act. The Information Commissioner, who regulates the Act, has confirmed that information about public voting is not covered. We are therefore not required to disclose the voting figures under the Act.

Who can I contact if I need assistance / have further questions?

大象传媒 Helpline: 0370 010 0222 (standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply).

Why can’t I vote outside the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man?

No method of voting offered is available outside of the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Can I vote via social networking?

No, you can only vote on the website or by phone.

Will my votes for an act only be counted from one entry method?

No, all votes will be counted.

Does the 大象传媒 receive any revenue from the calls?

No. We do not receive any revenue. Revenue from the calls (if any) goes to charity.

Is the vote being independently verified?

Yes.

How do I vote online?

In order to cast your vote, you must sign in to your 大象传媒 account which you can do . If you do not already have a 大象传媒 account you will need to register before you can vote .

Once you have created a 大象传媒 account you are then ready to go. You are advised to sign in to your 大象传媒 account before the vote opens.

During the live show the presenter will let you know when the vote has opened. You will then be able to cast your vote online

Why is the online vote not displaying properly?

If the vote is not displaying correctly on your device then please try refreshing the page or using a different browser or device.

If the vote is still not displaying, or you can see a white box where the vote should be, you may not actually be signed in, even if it appears that you are or you don’t remember signing out. To check if you are signed in, click the 大象传媒 account profile button on the left hand side of the top bar and this should allow you to sign in correctly or alternatively go to .

Once you’re signed in, head back to and continue to cast your vote. If you are able to clear the cookies in your browser then this may also resolve the problem.

If you are using an ad-blocker then this may inhibit your ability to cast your vote. If you disable the blocker and refresh the page then you should be able to cast your vote.

How many times can I vote online?

You can vote online a maximum of three times per voting window on The Greatest Dancer except for the Final. In the Final you will be able to vote a maximum of six times per 大象传媒 account as there will be two voting windows (being three votes per voting window).

Can I vote using my smart phone or tablet?

You can vote online using your mobile phone, tablet or your home computer. Online votes on different devices using the same 大象传媒 account details will count towards the maximum number of votes per account. For The Greatest Dancer, the maximum number of votes per account will be 3 per voting window except from the Final. In the Final you will be able to vote a maximum of six times per 大象传媒 account as there will be two voting windows (being three votes per voting window).

Can I vote via the 大象传媒 iPlayer app?

You cannot vote via the 大象传媒 iPlayer app on your Smart TV, tablet or smart phone. Please visit to vote where you may need to sign in again or register to cast a vote.

Why is the ‘VOTE NOW’ button not working?

If you’re trying to vote but the ‘VOTE NOW’ button has turned grey and you’re having trouble submitting your vote then you might not have correctly selected a vote option. To select your chosen option, click the box or image you want to vote for until the text box changes colour and a tick appears in the right hand corner of the text box. The ‘VOTE NOW’ button should now be available to click and submit your vote. You can change your vote option at any time before you have clicked ‘VOTE NOW’ by just clicking another option until it changes colour and the tick now appears in that box. Once you have submitted your vote you cannot change your vote.

Why am I getting a white box where the vote should be displayed?

If you have chosen to disable third party cookies in your browser on any device then you may not be able to vote. After you have signed in or registered your 大象传媒 account, if you are seeing a white box where the vote should be then you will need to enable third party cookies in your browser on that device or use another browser where you have this already enabled.

Why do I get the ‘Thank you for voting’ message when I vote on another device or browser?

The Greatest Dancer vote is capped (see above). If you have already voted the maximum number of times and you go to the vote page on another browser or device and where you are already signed in, or subsequently sign in to your account on the vote page, then you will see the ‘Thank you for voting’ message because you have already cast the maximum number of votes allowed.

Why has the ‘VOTE AGAIN’ button disappeared?

The Greatest Dancer vote is capped and votes must be cast one at a time. After your first vote you will see the ‘VOTE AGAIN’ button which will allow you to cast another vote. You can repeat this process to cast multiple votes one at a time for different acts or the same one. Once you have used the maximum number of votes allowed as stated on the vote, the ‘VOTE AGAIN’ button will disappear and you will not be able to cast any further votes until a new vote opens the following week.

Why is the vote not working on my version of Internet Explorer?

The default security settings of some Internet Explorer browser versions may prevent the vote from displaying on the page correctly. Please use another browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari or a different device and visit to cast your vote when it is open.

What if I can't remember the password to my 大象传媒 account?

If you have a 大象传媒 account, but can't remember your password, you'll need to reset it. You can find out how to do that here.

When registering for a 大象传媒 account what information do I need to give?

This depends on your age. The 大象传媒 ask everyone to provide them with their date of birth, gender and a secure password.

For anyone aged 13 and over, the 大象传媒 asks users to provide an email address, and let them know if they would like to receive emails about things they’ll love. This email address lets you reset your password if you forget it. And it means the 大象传媒 can get in touch if the 大象传媒 needs to tell you about something new, like a change to its terms of use. For anyone under 13 years old, the 大象传媒 asks you to provide a username, but no email, so it’s important you remember it (as well as your password), because the 大象传媒 won’t be able contact you.

If you are 18 years or older, the 大象传媒 asks for your postcode, and if you are under 18, the 大象传媒 asks for your hometown.

If you previously used to sign in with a username, you'll need to use your email address from now on if you are over 13.

If you previously signed in with Facebook or Google+, the 大象传媒 unfortunately do not use these platforms to sign in anymore.

If you haven’t signed in to your account in the last year, then it may have been closed unless you have signed in with an email address. If that’s the case, you will need to register for a 大象传媒 account again.

Why are you asking for my age, postcode/hometown or gender when I register for a 大象传媒 account?

The 大象传媒 use your age, postcode/hometown and gender to give you relevant local info online and in any email newsletters you sign up for. The 大象传媒 also use this information to ensure that it is are making something for everyone, as part of our public service remit.

Some parts of the 大象传媒 are only meant for certain ages. The 大象传媒 also need to know how old you are to make sure you can use the parts that are meant for you.

Find out more about how the 大象传媒 use your data .

What if I don’t want to register now?

If you decide not to proceed with registering your 大象传媒 account then unfortunately you will not be able to cast your vote online, however, you can still always vote via phone. Just watch the show for the phone numbers or visit The Greatest Dancer website (bbc.co.uk/greatestdancer) whilst the vote is open for the phone vote information.

Why when I click on sign in am I not taken to the sign in page?

If you click on sign in and you are already signed in to your 大象传媒 account then you will be directed to the 大象传媒 homepage or you will remain on the same page. That means you are ready to cast your vote once it opens .

I'm having another problem signing into my account that's not covered here - where can I go for help?

The 大象传媒 has a separate page that can answer your questions around signing in to your 大象传媒 account, and also put you in touch with someone if you are unable to find the answer you need. Visit .

I don't have an existing 大象传媒 account, and need to register for one so I can vote, but need help. Where can I go?

The 大象传媒 has a separate page that can answer your questions around registering for a new 大象传媒 account, and also put you in touch with someone if you are unable to find the answer you need. Visit .

If you have not used your account in a while and have forgotten your password you will need to click on the 'forgotten password' link before the show to allow enough time for a new password to be sent through. This will only be possible if you provided a valid email address when registering.

What exactly is a 大象传媒 account?

If you have any questions about your 大象传媒 account you can find some FAQs which might help.

Why are you asking if I want email updates about more things I’ll love?

You can decide if you want to receive occasional emails to tell you about 大象传媒 programmes and services or not. It's completely up to you. The 大象传媒 may personalise them based on your location and how you use the 大象传媒 online site, to help you get the most from the 大象传媒. Find out more about the emails . You can also unsubscribe at any time.

Is there a cost to vote online?

No, you will not be charged to vote online by visiting during the live shows. Please check your broadband or mobile contract to check the cost of using data services.

Will each Acts voting number be the same each week?

We may change the voting numbers each week, therefore the number used to vote for an act the previous week may not necessarily be the same the following week. Always check that you are using the correct number before you vote.

Why have I been charged outside the vote window?

We state clearly on screen and verbally when the voting period opens and closes and that callers should wait until that time before casting their vote. There is a small chance that if you called outside this time that another network other than BT would charge for this call. If you have been charged, then notify your service provider immediately.

I was trying to call for (x act) and got (y act) instead.

All voters are asked to dial carefully. The Producers and the 大象传媒 have implemented a thorough testing schedule before each show to ensure correct audio is playing on the correct act line. If you have a phone bill you can send us, we can check whether the number you called corresponds with the correct act audio.

I have been trying to vote, but keep getting the engaged tone.

Because the phone lines are very active throughout the UK when the vote window opens, some callers may experience the engaged tone - especially those in rural/remote areas. We recommend that you call back within a couple of minutes when the traffic through your local exchange would have subsided. Engaged tones are controlled at local telephone exchanges and are something that we cannot control. You can also opt to vote online via .

I called but received a dead tone.

If after dialling the first four numbers of the premium rate number you heard a dead tone - then this means that you are premium rate barred and you should check with your telephone service provider about lifting the ban if you wish to vote in The Greatest Dancer. You can also opt to vote online via .

I tried voting, but couldn't get through. Why?

Given the high volume of viewers and callers that some TV voting shows generate, it is possible for a very large number of people to pick up the phone simultaneously when the onscreen announcement is made. Sometimes this can cause some callers to get an engaged tone for short periods of time immediately after an onscreen announcement; however, any congestion tends to clear quite quickly. You can also opt to vote online via .

Can one act’s number be constantly engaged and another act’s free?

Like all the big shows, The Greatest Dancer uses a voting system where at least the first eight digits of the phone numbers are the same for all acts, with only the last few digits of the phone number changing depending on who you want to vote for.
As the telephone network only uses the first eight digits in a telephone number to route calls to the voting system, it is impossible for calls for different acts to be treated differently.

Once calls reach the voting system they are answered in turn, on a first-come, first-served basis. Each answering point is instructed to accept votes for all acts; there are no dedicated answering points for individual acts.
This means that your chance of getting through to vote will never depend on the act you wish to vote for.

What are Mobile Short Dial Codes (MSDCs)?

Mobile Short Dial Codes (MSDCs) are the numbers to call (not text) from UK mobile phones where callers are charged a guaranteed fixed price for the call (15p for The Greatest Dancer voting) regardless of their UK mobile telephone service provider. The MSDC numbers are shorter than a normal telephone number, typically between 5 and 7 digits long.

When MSDCs were introduced calling the premium rate ‘09’ numbers from mobile phones resulted is a large variance in charges, dependent on the UK mobile telephone service provider. MSDCs removed that variance.

Calls to The Greatest Dancer ‘09’ numbers, whether from a landline or mobile, cost the caller 15p plus the access charge set by the landline or mobile telephone service provider of the caller. Costs to call the ‘09’ numbers vary across both landline and mobile calls.

The continued use of MSDCs for voting therefore has the advantage that callers from UK mobile phone networks should pay less to vote as no access charge is applied to these calls.

When voting from a UK mobile using a MSDC number you will hear a vote confirmation message in the same way you would when voting by calling a ‘09’ premium rate number from a landline.

How do I vote by MSDC?

Using your UK mobile phone, simply dial the short number shown on screen for your favourite act, when the vote is open. There is one number allocated to each act. If you call while the vote is open you will hear a message confirming your vote. If you try to call when the vote is closed you will hear a closed non-chargeable message. You can’t text/SMS to the MSDC.

Why are you offering voting via MSDCs instead of Text Voting?

Text voting cannot be offered for The Greatest Dancer due to the relatively short periods in which the vote is open and during which the result needs to be provided and verified. There is the risk of potential delays within the mobile networks at busy times which could result in text votes not being received within the period the vote is open. With a phone call, if the exchange is busy you will hear an engaged tone, however with text/SMS you would not know if there is any late delivery of your vote (causing it to not be registered). There are no such potential network delays with MSDCs other than busy tones at local exchange level with heavy traffic.

In addition, call attempts to MSDCs outside of the vote open period, or to numbers no longer in use, are non-chargeable to callers, unlike text where charges may still apply.

The advantage of using telephone calls for voting rather than text voting is that the caller knows at the time of the call that their vote has been counted and also that they have been charged for their vote. They will also know from receiving an engaged tone if they did not get through and that they can then just press redial to try again. The same is not true of text voting as the texter has to wait for a confirmation message back from their mobile telephone service provider which may take some time to arrive or which may not arrive at all.

How much will it cost to vote by MSDC?

Voting on The Greatest Dancer via a MSDC from UK mobile networks will cost 15p per vote.

Will I be charged if I try to vote using a MSDC when the vote is closed?

No. Calls outside the vote open period and those made to any of The Greatest Dancer numbers not currently in use will not be chargeable.

It is very unlikely that callers will be charged when calling a closed vote line as we use free of charge messaging during these times. If you have been charged, then notify your service provider.

Why can't I vote by MSDCs from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man?

The Channel Islands and Isle of Man are covered by separate mobile telephone service providers who do not currently support voting by MSDCs. Viewers in these regions may still be able to vote by dialling the ‘09’ numbers for The Greatest Dancer acts from their landlines or mobiles at 15p plus their network’s access charge per vote.

Can I call a MSDC from my landline?

No. MSDC voting is only available from mobile phones, if you try to call a MSDC from your landline you will not be connected to the voting service and your vote will not be counted. In a very small number of cases, the landline telephone service provider may route the call to a local destination as it may match a “local” telephone number which may result in a ‘wrong number’ call being made. Such calls would be chargeable if they are answered.

Can I vote by text message to the MSDCs?

No. The Greatest Dancer voting will be made using telephone call voting only as this offers the caller the benefits of knowing at the time that they place their vote that their vote has been counted and that they have been charged. This would not be true of text votes.

Can I still call the ‘09’ numbers from my mobile?

Yes. It will cost you 15p plus your mobile network’s access charge per vote. The ‘09’ voting numbers should preferably only be called from your landline if you have one. If using your mobile, you should call the MSDC if you can as it will be cheaper at 15p per vote. No access charge is applicable on the MSDCs. If you decide to call the ‘09’ voting numbers from your UK mobile phone then you will hear a non-chargeable message at the start of the call asking you to call the MSDCs instead. If you remain on the line after the message then you will be able to vote for your chosen act but your UK mobile telephone service provider will charge 15p plus the network’s access charge per call.

Will I receive ‘spam’ / unwanted marketing texts if I vote by MSDC?

No, you should not receive any text messages from The Greatest Dancer or any other organisation as a result of voting using the MSDCs. We do not sell on nor, except if required to do so for legal reasons, supply mobile telephone numbers to any third party. Text spamming is caused by companies sending unsolicited text messages to mobile telephone numbers. We in no way support this practice and takes great care to guard numbers from any unauthorised use. If you receive unwanted text messages from other companies that you are being charged for, you can contact Phone-paid Services Authority, the premium services regulator on 0300 30 300 20 between 9.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays, standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply) or via to report this.

Why can’t I call the MSDC number from my mobile?

There are a small number of UK mobile phone users who are unable to call MSDCs, you should check with your mobile telephone service provider to see if you can lift the calling bar or simply vote by calling the ‘09’ voting numbers using a landline.

Why can’t I call the MSDC number from my “Voice over IP” (VOIP) connection?

Not all UK telephone service providers, including some VOIP operators, allow voting by traditional premium rate ‘09’ numbers. The new MSDC numbers are intended only for voting via the UK mobile telephone service providers and so will almost certainly not be supported by the fixed line and VoIP telephone service providers.

Why can’t I vote by MSDCs from outside the UK?

The MSDCs are provided by the UK mobile telephone service providers and are only accessible via these operators. It is also unlikely that calls can be made to MSDCs from UK mobiles when these are outside of the UK, as this would be subject to mobile telephone service providers’ international roaming arrangements with foreign telephone service providers.

Throughout these FAQs “UK mobile phones” means mobile phones provided in the UK under UK contracts by Vodafone, O2, Everything Everywhere (previously T Mobile and Orange), Virgin, Sky Mobile and ‘3’