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Steve Thorne / Getty Images Contributor
Engelbert Humperdinck
Septuagenarian crooner Engelbert Humperdinck will represent the United Kingdom at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, according to the BBC, which chooses the country's contestants.
The 75-year-old singer, best known for his 1967 hit "Release Me," will be hoping to reverse a slump in fortunes for British acts at the annual sing-off.
"It's an absolute honor to be representing my country for this year's Eurovision Song Contest," the singer told the BBC.
"When the BBC approached me, it just felt right for me to be a part of an institution like Eurovision. I'm excited and raring to go and want the nation to get behind me!"
Humperdinck is the oldest Eurovision contestant and if he wins, will be the UK's first triumph since Katrina and the Waves 15 years ago.
The competition takes place on May 26 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where it has generated considerable excitement but also seen the country's human rights record come under closer international scrutiny.
In the latest example, Amnesty International said on Friday it hoped Humperdinck would draw attention to the issue of what it called "prisoners of conscience" being held in Azeri jails.
"There is a deep irony in the announcement," said Tim Hancock, campaigns director of Amnesty International UK, ahead of planned demonstrations in Azerbaijan over the weekend.
"Engelbert Humperdinck is famed for his song 'Please Release Me', yet, on the streets of Azerbaijan this Sunday protesters risk arrest by simply taking to the streets to display their discontent with the authorities."
Western governments and rights groups accuse President Ilham Aliyev, who succeeded his father in 2003, of rigging elections and clamping down on dissent, notably last year during a series of protests in the capital inspired by the Arab Spring.
The government says Azerbaijan, located on the Caspian Sea, enjoys full freedom of speech and has a thriving opposition press.
Humperdinck's song for the contest will be recorded in London, Los Angeles and Nashville and written by Martin Terefe and Sacha Skarbek.
Humperdinck, whose real name is Arnold Dorsey, has sold an estimated 150 million records worldwide during a 45 year career.
His participation could boost interest in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, widely derided in Britain as a celebration of kitsch but taken more seriously in many other European countries and watched by a television audience of more than 100 million people.
Do you follow the Eurovision contest? What do you think of Engelbert's chances? Share your thoughts on Facebook.
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I am reminded of a really funny bit in an Eddie Izzard show.
Humperdinck? Does he have six fingers on his hands?
The six fingered man is Count Rugen, my good fellow. Humperdinck was the prince with no guts who fired the miracle man.
It states that Humperdinck is the oldest contestant. I am not so sure. There is a group of Russian grandmothers - yes, for real, amongst whom one or two could be older. Check it out on youtube. They have a catchy tune, too, and are hoping to raise enough money to build a church in their village. Other than that - the usual falsetto milkfaces. Really, check it out !
Can you imagine singing the same song for 45 years? Sometimes for 2 shows per day? I don't know how they do it. I guess that's why Tony Bennet left his heart in San Francisco.
lola3, I was thinking the same thing.. For poorer or worse he did give up Jerry Dorsey for a better stage name.. one that just cracks us up in hinds sight. What were his mangers really critically thinking or was it just the 60s?
His real name is ARNOLD Dorsey, not Jerry.....and Englebert Humperdink is the name of a famous composer during the 1800's.....and he chose this name because he liked it. His managers did not choose it for him.....also, he had MANY hit songs...not just Release Me...so he was hardly singing the same song every day for 45 years. A little research saves you from looking like a dolt online!
And he's still gorgeous!