Pop group Scooch have upset the bookies and the media pundits, by winning the BBC's Making Your Mind Up Eurovision selection contest, to represent the UK in Helsinki.

The quartet won over the UK public with their catchy pop song Flying the Flag (For You), and visual "flight attendant" dance routine.

After the six entrants performed live on UK TV last night, Scooch and French singer Cyndi were selected for a new "sing-off", before the pop four-piece were named as the overall winners.


The win was a bit of a surprise to Scooch, considering their competition from the likes of Justin Hawkins (The Darkness) and the fact they'd been all-but written off by the media. Scooch were also the only group in the UK final not signed to a major record label.

The UK is directly qualified for the final on May 12th, and will perform 19th on the night... between two other "novelty" songs from the Ukraine and Romania.

* Esctoday.com: UK Exclusive: Scooch's first winner's interview
* Official Scooch Eurovision Myspace page