Would our friends from United Kingdom please take the floor?

By Jamie McLoughlin on Sep 4, 08 06:49 PM

Isn't the alphabet marvellous? By listing the entries taking part in this year's Eurovision Dance Contest in that fashion it has enabled us to be all patriotic and save the UK until last. Huzzah.

Taking on the burdenous mantle this year is actress (note: 'actress'. Not 'professional dancer'. Oh yes, we know how to play by the rules...) Louisa Lytton, who is taking a break from chasing naughty teenagers down alleyways full of really big bins in The Bill to give a potential hometown victory in the Eurovision Dance Contest a shot. Well, look how well the Chinese athletes did in their own back yard at the Olympics.

Louisa is best known, not only for her appearance in the 2006 series of Strictly Come Dancing, but also for her role as Ruby in EastEnders, the BBC's rather cheerful documentation of the life of Cockneys, creatures who just can't stop laughing and joking all the time.

Louisa has been getting in plenty of practice for Eurovision by joining in with the latest Strictly Come Dancing tour, winning a fair few of the events she's taken part in.

Vincent Simone, 30, is the male half of Duo GB. Born in the Italian town of Foggia (which would be great for votes, if Italy were actually entering), Vincent has been involved in the dance world for the past 23 years and beat 70 other couples in his first competition. Ooh, isn't he good? This bodes well...

He arrived in the UK in his late teens and met his current partner, Flavia, in Guildford of all places. The two of them have been doing themselves proud in competitions for the past seven years.

He was Louisa's partner on Strictly Come Dancing, where they finished in fourth place.

Now, no pressure you two, but we Brits have got quite accustomed to seeing our nation's finest standing atop podiums in recent weeks. Do you think you could finish three places higher on Saturday night?

There's an open top bus ride with the trophy through Guildford in it for you.