Bonnie Tyler to sing Britain's Eurovision entry - video

BONNIE TYLER, the singer best-known for her 1980s hits Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding out for a Hero, will represent Britain at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013.

The 61-year-old Welsh singer will perform a new song called Believe in Me at the contest on 18 May in Malmo, Sweden.

"I promise to give this everything that I've got for the UK!" Tyler said in a statement. "I am truly honoured and delighted to be able to represent my country at Eurovision, and especially with such a fabulous song."

The Independent notes that the selection of Tyler "follows a trend for former British stars to make a return to the limelight via the programme". Sadly, the ruse has not yet paid off. Last year's representative was the veteran crooner Engelbert Humperdinck who came second-from-last in the competition with just 12 points.

If Tyler doesn't take the top prize in Sweden, Britain has a second chance in the shape of Birmingham-born Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. He has written the entry for Armenia, a song called Lonely Planet. The "rock ballad" will be performed by an Armenian group called Dorians.

News of Tyler's selection prompted a mixed response on social media sites. The media blogger fleetstreetfox referenced the lyrics to her biggest hit, tweeting: "I think picking Bonnie Tyler for Eurovision is a bad idea. Every now and then she falls apart."

Another wag tweeted that Britain would be "holding out for a zero".

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