Eurovision 2019: Blue back Steps to lead Great Britain

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Noughties boyband Blue have backed nineties group Steps to fly the Union Jack at the next Eurovision competition.

Blue, who represented Great Britain at the continental talent competition in 2011, are currently touring with Steps who reunited in 2011. The tour comes nearly twenty years after the release of their breakthrough hit 5, 6, 7, 8.

Never say never

When asked if they would consider following in the footsteps of Blue - who came 11th in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest in Germany - Claire Richards said: "You never know. Never say never."

The group, who released their first proper album for 17 years last year, seem largely set against the idea with the exception of Ian 'H' Watkins.

Blue represented Great Britain in 2011 (Photo: Eurovision)

Richards said: "Well, if you ask H, he will say yes; if you ask the rest of us, possibly not.

"We had such an amazing year last year and still coming into this year, we are enjoying that wave at the moment.

"When the rest of Europe like us, which will probably never happen, then maybe."

Backing from Blue

Watkins added: "We're on tour with Blue at the moment and I was watching their set the other day.

"They said, 'This is a song from Eurovision and H tweeted the other day he'd love to do Eurovision'.

"And they went, 'We think they should do it!', so box ticked from Duncan."

Richards and Watkins, along with fellow band members Lee Latchford-Evans, Lisa Scott-Lee and Faye Tozer, reformed in 2011 for a Sky Living series and a number of concerts, and now are back on the road again.

Watkins said he had been surprised at the staying power of the group, adding: "Nobody knew that we had this much longevity in us. We were signed up with a one-single deal and we thought that was going to be it.

"But we turned into this monster nobody could stop and here we are today."

And as for future plans? "We're in discussions about what's going to happen next," said Tozer.

Richards added: "We're going to have a little break - not like a Ross and Rachel break - just a little break. Maybe not a break, a rest."

Eurovision 2019

Reigning champions Israel will host the next edition of the traditionally cheesy contest.

Israel were led to victory by Netta Barzilai who performed "Toy" while dressed in a traditional Japanese Kimono and buns and surrounded by Maneki-neko's.

Sixteen countries have confirmed their desire to send representatives to the Middle Eastern country.