United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1971

United Kingdom in the
Eurovision Song Contest 1971
Eurovision Song Contest 1971
Participating broadcasterBritish Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Country United Kingdom
Selection processArtist: Internal selection
Song: A Song for Europe 1971
Selection date20 February 1971
Competing entry
Song"Jack in the Box"
ArtistClodagh Rodgers
Songwriters
Placement
Final result4th, 98 points
Participation chronology
◄1970 1971 1972►

The United Kingdom was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1971 with the song "Jack in the Box", composed by John Worsley, with lyrics by David Myers, and performed by Clodagh Rodgers. The British participating broadcaster, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), selected its entry through a national final, after having previously selected the performer internally.

As the 16th annual Eurovision Song Contest was being held in Dublin, the BBC were worried about the possible audience reaction to the British song due to the hostilities raging in Northern Ireland. They specifically selected a singer from Northern Ireland, Clodagh Rodgers, who was popular in both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, to ease any ill-feeling from the Irish audience. However, Rodgers still received death threats from the IRA for representing the United Kingdom.