At the opening ceremony at the famous exhibition hall at Manezhnaya Square, last year’s winner, Dima Bilan, performed alongside other winners of the past including Ukrainian singer Ruslana and the first-ever winner from Switzerland, who won the Eurovision contest in 1956.

As for Britain, the country's record in the competition is up and down. The United Kingdom has won on five occasions, but came last several times too – its most recent failure being last year in Belgrade.

And all this is despite the UK automatically qualifying for the final, as it's one of the four countries which put the most cash into the contest.

From London, with a Sicilian father and a mother with Jamaican roots, Jade Ewen is set to change the results history. She thinks the Russian venue will work to her advantage.

She has received massive promotion in the Russian press, and has even emerged as a favourite of the Russian leadership.

“Actually coming to Russia was the best reception I’ve had going to the whole Europe – because when I finished singing, they all stood up and gave massive cheers and applause,” Jade said.

This time, Great Britain is taking its Eurovision mission very seriously. Composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber himself was recruited for the job.

“There comes a time when everyone must do their duty. Your country needs you!” he said in his address to the nation.

The author of hit musicals “Cats” and “Jesus Christ superstar” was so desperate for his contestant to be at the top of the list, he even secured an interview with the Russian Prime Minister, and asked him if Russia could vote for Britain.

“I personally am prepared to do so, but you should turn to Russian viewers with such a request,” Putin responded.

Some in the British press though are profess to be furious over Webber’s PR job.

“What we really want to know,” – wrote the Telegraph – “is what has Lord Lloyd-Webber promised in return? To compose a musical in honour of the greatest living Russian of modern times, tentatively titled ‘Vladimir Putin: Superstar’?”

The Oscar-winning composer was straightforward in his response. He even blamed his employer for lack of support:

“The BBC would prefer me to come second. If we win, we shall have to host next year’s show and it’s going to cost £25 million.”