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Eurovision Odds: 2017 UK Entry Lucie Jones Defies Brexit Fears With Surge Of Bets

We're not counting our chickens just yet, though.
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

While most of us are not exactly holding out hope of us winning Eurovision this year, Lucie Jones actually looks like she could be in with a shot. 

That’s because the UK is now fifth favourite to win, according to the bookies. 

The former ‘X Factor’ contestant has defied fears Brexit could affect our chances to rise up the ranks over the last few days, with punters placing a flurry of bets on her and her song ‘Never Give Up On You’. 

As a result, Lucie has odds of just 20/1 to win, with bookmakers William Hill. 

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Lucie Jones is representing the UK at Eurovision this year
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Italy still remains the favourite at 11/10, followed by Portugal at 7/4, Bulgaria at 10/1 and Belgium at 14/1. 

However, it is worth noting that going into last year’s contest, UK entrants Joe and Jake were pegged at 25/1, but ended up coming third from bottom in the final leaderboard.

Earlier this week, Lucie admitted she is not thinking about the effect of the UK’s decision to leave the EU will have on her performance.

She told the Press Association: “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.”

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A sneak preview of Lucie's performance on Saturday
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

But while Lucie is remaining confident that this could be the year of Eurovision glory for the UK, Britain’s commentator Graham Norton previously admitted he didn’t exactly fancy our chances.

He said in March: “I’m just not sure it will happen for us this year. I mean, I could be wrong as Germany have won, Austria have won. So I suppose people who never win, win.

“On the night anything can happen. I’m just not sure it will for us though.”

The Eurovision Song Contest 2017 airs live from Kiev on Saturday (13 May) from 8pm on BBC One.

'X Factor' Series 6: Where Are They Now?
(01 of24)
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Kandy Rain were the first act to be eliminated, finishing in twelfth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Kandy Rain(02 of24)
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Former strippers Kandy Rain were repeatedly dragged for their style during their short spell on 'X Factor', and the following year, appeared on 'Snog Marry Avoid', and they were given a make-under by POD.

They split soon after, and we're afraid they've not bothered the pop charts since. (credit:BBC)
(03 of24)
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Rikki Loney finished in eleventh place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Rikki Loney(04 of24)
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Shortly after 'X Factor', Rikki joined several other former reality stars, including Andy Scott-Lee, Kavana and S Club Juniors' Stacy McLean in 'Gleemania', a travelling show slated as the UK's answer to 'Glee'.

According to his Twitter, he now lives in New York, which is very exciting, isn't it? (credit:Nils Jorgensen/REX/Shutterstock)
(05 of24)
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Miss Frank finished in tenth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Miss Frank(06 of24)
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Sadly not one of the year's greatest success stories, Miss Frank split a year after leaving 'The X Factor'.

Here they are in happier times, switching on the Christmas lights at Welwyn Garden City. (credit:Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock)
(07 of24)
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Rachel Adedeji finished in fourth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Rachel Adedeji(08 of24)
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Rachel wasn't on 'The X Factor' long, but made a lasting impression on viewers, largely due to the way the voiceover man said her name each week, and the fact she fell over at Bootcamp.

Still, she's been able to carve a new career for herself since 'X Factor', and in 2016, joined the cast of 'Hollyoaks' as Lisa Loveday. (credit:Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)
(09 of24)
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Lucie controversially left the show in week five, after a sing-off against John and Edward... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Lucie Jones(10 of24)
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After making a name for herself as a stage actress, Lucie joined the cast of a touring production of 'Rent' in 2016, playing the exuberant and OTT activist, Maureen.

The following year, she was chosen by the UK to represent us in the Eurovision Song Contest, with her song, 'Never Give Up On You'. (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(11 of24)
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Jamie Archer finished in seventh place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Jamie Archer(12 of24)
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As recently as 2015, Jamie was still hoping to make it in music, as this video of him "rocking out" on his official website proves.

His hair, as you can see, is also still epic. (credit:YouTube)
(13 of24)
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John and Edward - somehow - finished in eighth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Jedward(14 of24)
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Staggeringly, Jedward are among the most successful 'X Factor' performers ever, despite being the original joke act.

The duo have released three (not unlistenable) albums since coming off 'X Factor', and represented Ireland not once but twice in Eurovision.

In 2017, they were brought into the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house as 'All Stars', six years after first taking part in the show. (credit:Stefan Rousseau - PA Images via Getty Images)
(15 of24)
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Lloyd Daniels finished in fifth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Lloyd Daniels(16 of24)
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For a number of years after 'The X Factor', Lloyd was more likely to be found filling your Instagram feed up with selfies than anything else, but in recent more years, he's returned to performing.

In 2014, he joined the cast of 'Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat', in the lead role of Joseph. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Archive)
(17 of24)
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Danyl Johnson just missed out on the final, finishing in fourth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Danyl Johnson(18 of24)
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Along with Lucie Jones, Danyl returned to our screens in 2017, with his bid to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest. (credit:Tom Dymond/REX/Shutterstock)
(19 of24)
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Stacey Solomon finished in third place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Stacey Solomon(20 of24)
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Years after her 'X Factor' stint, Stacey was named Queen Of The Jungle after taking part in 'I'm A Celebrity'.

You're now more likely to find her on the 'Loose Women' panel, having joined the show at the end of 2016.

That year, she also joined 'I'm A Celebrity' spin-off show 'Extra Camp', but made headlines when her time in Australia meant she was unable to rehearse for a pantomime she had committed to, meaning she appeared onstage with her script on a clipboard. (credit:Ken McKay/Rex/Shutterstock/ITV)
(21 of24)
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Olly Murs was named 2009's 'X Factor' runner-up... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Olly Murs(22 of24)
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He's done alright for himself, let's just say that. (credit:Tommy Jackson via Getty Images)
(23 of24)
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Joe McElderry won the show, but famously missed out on the Christmas number one spot due to a Facebook campaign... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Joe McElderry(24 of24)
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While it's often suggested that male 'X Factor' winners have a tough time once the show is over, Joe has been able to enjoy a successful career in showbiz.

Although no longer with Simon Cowell's label, he has four top 10 albums under his belt, and has won a new legion of fans by appearing on reality shows 'Popstar To Operastar' and 'The Jump' (both of which he won). (credit:Can Nguyen/REX/Shutterstock)
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