<P> Up to and including 1998 , the UK had only twice finished outside the top 10 , in 1978 ( 11th ) and 1987 ( 13th ) , with their five winners being Sandie Shaw with the song `` Puppet on a String '' in 1967 , Lulu with `` Boom Bang - a-Bang '' in 1969 ( tied ) , Brotherhood of Man with `` Save Your Kisses for Me '' in 1976 , Bucks Fizz with `` Making Your Mind Up '' in 1981 and Katrina and the Waves with `` Love , Shine a Light '' in 1997 . In addition , the UK has finished as runner - up on a record 15 occasions ; including Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson ( 1959 ) , Matt Monro ( 1964 ) , Kathy Kirby ( 1965 ) , Cliff Richard ( 1968 ) , Mary Hopkin ( 1970 ) , The New Seekers ( 1972 ) , Scott Fitzgerald ( 1988 ) , Michael Ball ( 1992 ) , Sonia ( 1993 ) and Imaani ( 1998 ) . Since 1999 , the year in which the rule was abandoned that songs must be performed in one of the official languages of the country participating , the UK has had less success , only finishing within the top ten twice . Jessica Garlick in 2002 finished joint third and Jade Ewen in 2009 finished fifth , Ewen in particular was praised after her performance of `` It 's My Time '' for ending the run of poor results the country had suffered for much of the decade . </P>
<P> Up to and including 1998 , the UK had only twice finished outside the top 10 , in 1978 ( 11th ) and 1987 ( 13th ) , with their five winners being Sandie Shaw with the song `` Puppet on a String '' in 1967 , Lulu with `` Boom Bang - a-Bang '' in 1969 ( tied ) , Brotherhood of Man with `` Save Your Kisses for Me '' in 1976 , Bucks Fizz with `` Making Your Mind Up '' in 1981 and Katrina and the Waves with `` Love , Shine a Light '' in 1997 . In addition , the UK has finished as runner - up on a record 15 occasions ; including Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson ( 1959 ) , Matt Monro ( 1964 ) , Kathy Kirby ( 1965 ) , Cliff Richard ( 1968 ) , Mary Hopkin ( 1970 ) , The New Seekers ( 1972 ) , Scott Fitzgerald ( 1988 ) , Michael Ball ( 1992 ) , Sonia ( 1993 ) and Imaani ( 1998 ) . Since 1999 , the year in which the rule was abandoned that songs must be performed in one of the official languages of the country participating , the UK has had less success , only finishing within the top ten twice . Jessica Garlick in 2002 finished joint third and Jade Ewen in 2009 finished fifth , Ewen in particular was praised after her performance of `` It 's My Time '' for ending the run of poor results the country had suffered for much of the decade . </P>
when was the last time the united kingdom won the eurovision song contest
when was the last time the united kingdom won the eurovision song contest
1997
1997