On Saturday Britain’s James Newman came last out of 26 countries in Rotterdam. He failed to achieve a single point from the jury or public vote, the second time this has happened to the UK.

Italy won the competition with their song Zittie e Buoni beating off rival bids from Switzerland and France.

Britain used to be a Eurovision powerhouse winning the contest five times from 1956-1997.

Between 1956, when the first Eurovision song contest took place in West Germany, and 2012 the UK came 8th on average.

By contrast from 2013 onwards, Britain has finished at an average of 22nd place.

In January 2013 Mr Cameron, then Prime Minister, gave his address on the UK’s EU relationship.

He commented: “Simply asking the British people to carry on accepting a European settlement over which they have had little choice is a path to ensuring that when the question is finally put – and at some stage it will have to be – it is much more likely that the British people will reject the EU.

“That is why I am in favour of a referendum.

“I believe in confronting this issue – shaping it, leading the debate.

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However, until December it remained closely tied to Brussels via the Brexit transition period.

During this time Britain remained part of the European single market and continued to implement many laws made by the EU.

In total the UK has finished last in Eurovision five times.

It has only finished with zero points one time before, in 2003 when Jemini sang Cry Baby.

In the arena, Mr Newman was cheered by the crowd as he reacted to the defeat by dancing and waving a beer bottle.

The number of countries taking part in Eurovision has varied significantly over the years.

In 1956 fourteen countries took part, with each singing two songs each.

Britain first participated in 1957 alongside nine other nations.

In recent years 26 countries have participated in the final of Eurovision.

The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain advance automatically to the final due to the financial support they provide the competition.