Andrew Lloyd Webber and his team of professionals have decided on a shortlist of six acts all hoping to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. Tonight, the contestants vie for a place in Eurovision history and take to the stage for the first of the live shows, hosted by Graham Norton.

Performing live for the viewers, the acts have to show they’ve got the right ingredients to take on the best in Europe, and all are hoping to win enough votes to stay in the competition.

Andrew is on hand to encourage them throughout the week and each act must put his advice into practice. Andrew is accompanied on his mission by a team of music industry professionals, including Colin Barlow, a music expert who acts as Andrew’s right-hand man.

This week, the acts are tested with a Eurovision-style task and, from the bunker, viewers find out how Andrew is getting on with composing the song.

Special guests over the series include former Eurovision winners and some of pop’s biggest acts will also sing some Eurovision classics.

Once all the acts have performed, the public cast their votes. Five acts will go through to next week’s show with a chance of being the UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, in Moscow, in May.