UK is welcome to join next year despite Brexit, Eurovision says [VIDEO]

The United Kingdom’s decision to exit the European Union after 43 years of membership has triggered a series of questions on what happens next to its various activities. One point of uncertainty in the general public’s mind is how this new development impacts the biggest singing competition in Europe, the Eurovision Singing Contest.

Reports had been swirling that UK won’t be joining Eurovision anymore. The competition’s organisers have taken to its Facebook page to set things straight. “Amidst much more important news, we’ve seen lots of speculations about the United Kingdom’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest,” the organisers stated. “Rest assured that the British referendum outcome does not impact the BBC’s right to participate in the contest. UK, be welcome next year!”

In April, British Prime Minister David Cameron addressed this concern when he was asked about the worst argument he’s heard from the Brexiters. “I think probably the one that we’d get out of the Eurovision Song Contest,” he said as reported by The Telegraph. “Not only would that be incredibly sad but given that Israel and Azerbaijan and anyone anywhere near Europe seems to be able to enter – and Australia – then I think we’re pretty safe from that one.”

The Eurovision web site states that all active members of the European Broadcasting Union, which is a separate entity from the European Union, can join the contest. It tries to veer away from any political issue, which is why among its rules is one prohibiting “messages promoting any political cause.”

Last month, Ukraine’s Jamala was named the winner of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, held at Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. The Crimean Tatar singer, whose real name is Susana Jamaladinova, bested 25 other performers from different European countries, including UK, with her song “1944.” [READ: "2016 Eurovision Song Contest: Ukraine wins; runner-up Australian is juries’ favourite"] Australia’s entrant, Dami Im, came in second place and Russia followed suit, represented by Sergey Lazarev.

Source: YouTube/Eurovision Song Contest