In 2008 , it was rumoured that the " Big Four " would lose their automatic qualification , and would have to compete in the semi-finals for the first time . However , it was announced by the EBU that this would not be the case and the four countries would still automatically qualify for the final of the 2009 contest without having to enter a semi-final , and this has remained as of 2019
2009 contest
Eurovision Song Contest 2009
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest