Cowell keen to pick UK Eurovision entry

Simon Cowell wants to take charge of Britain's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest.

The music mogul would like the BBC – with whom he has been in engaged a war of words regarding their new talent show 'The Voice' – to ask him to "sort out" the song for the UK, and does not believe Engelbert Humperdinck is the best man for the job in Azerbaijan on Saturday.

He said: "I think the BBC should have asked me for once to sort out the song. It wouldn't have been Engelbert Humperdinck, let's just say that. If I was asked, I'd do it properly. It will happen but I'm not going to give too much away."

Simon's former 'X Factor' stars Jedward are representing Ireland for the second time at the contest this weekend after successfully making it through the first semi-final on Tuesday alongside the likes of Russia, Romania and Albania.

The second semi-final takes place tonight with countries including Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands, Bulgaria and Malta all hoping for one of 10 spots in the final.

The UK, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and hosts Azerbaijan automatically qualify.