Next up in our countdown are four-times winners, the Netherlands. They haven’t won since 1975 though and between 2005 and 2012 they didn’t qualify for the finals. They finally qualified in 2013 with Anouk and in 2014 stormed to runners up place with The Common Linnets. It was back to non-qualification last year though so they’ve gone back to the folk and country music that served them so well in 2014. Will Douwe Bob repeat The Common Linnets’ success?

Douwe Bob was chosen by the Netherlands all the way back in September last year, though the song wasn’t released until earlier this. As mentioned above, it’s a mid-tempo folk and country song that is very catchy. It’s quite different to most of this year’s songs, so may stand out – though people may remember that the Dutch put in a country song only two years ago. I really enjoy listening to it actually, it all seems to click well. They are in semi-final 1 though which is the semi final of death so could be touch and go on this one qualifying.

Douwe Bob himself is an interesting character – much younger than he sounds (he’s only 23) and recently declared himself as identifying as bisexual.Good luck in Stockholm Douwe!

Live at Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam:

The Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest:

First entered: 1956

Appearances (excluding this year): 57

Best result: Winner 1957, 1959, 1969, 1975

Last year’s result: 14th in semi-final (did not qualify)