Eurovision: Could the UK's Lucie Jones be in with a chance?

It's that bizarre time of the year again, when Europe eccentrically sings and dances while the rest of the world stares in awe.

It's Eurovision, and contestants are gearing up for the first round of the semi-finals.

But with one foot out of Europe, will the UK be affected by Brexit's bad blood?

For Lucie Jones, the 26-year-old hopeful representing the UK in the contest, the thought hasn't crossed her mind.

"I am really not thinking about Brexit," she said.

"There is this political vote every year that people talk about and yes, this year is slightly different with the sort of political climate going on, but it is something that I am not concentrating on.

"It's out of my hands so there is no point in worrying or thinking about it, I am just letting it pass me by."

The former X Factor contestant will perform the song Never Give Up On You in Tuesday's first round, hoping to claim victory for the UK for the first time in 20 years.

With accusations of tactical voting every year, this year's competition - the first since the EU referendum in June 2016 and the triggering of Article 50 in March - could mean we are facing a bigger challenge than ever before.

But according to analysts, our chances this year are unlikely to be affected by Brexit.

Two of the five UK winners in the contest's 61-year history took the crown before we joined the EU.

And in recent years, being a member has hardly done the UK any favours, with Spain continuously awarding 'nul points' and France giving its nod of approval just three times since 1999.

But while Brexit may not have an impact, that is not to say politics won't come into it.

This year, Russia pulled out of the contest after Ukraine authorities banned its entrant, Julia Samoylova, because she had previously toured in Crimea after its annexation.

So what's the secret to Eurovision success?

"You need that dream team, the support from the public and, obviously, a good song," Jones said.

"It's a different feel outside the UK this year, and also within the UK about Eurovision in general - but haters are going to hate and it's not for everyone.

"There is a really great team of people working for the UK in Eurovision now and the British public are behind us this year, which feels great."