Winners from each of the six decades of the Eurovision Song Contest

The Eurovision Song Contest began in 1956 as a modest event involving just seven countries.

It has gone on to run for more than 50 years, and has expanded to encompass up to 43 participants.

Loved and derided in equal measure, we help you pick your way through this musical institution and glance at what makes it unique.

ARABIC

The language has only been heard once at Eurovision, thanks to a one-off entry by Morocco in 1980. But it's making a comeback in 2009 with Israel's entrants Noa and Mira Awad (pictured), whose song also features Hebrew and English.

Language has always been a big issue at the contest, but Belgium take the prize for fielding songs in 2003 and 2008 that consisted of lyrics in made-up tongues.

BARE FEET

Sandie Shaw's trademark shoeless feet made their way to the Eurovision stage in Vienna, 1967, where she claimed the UK's first of five victories to date.

In 1983, Spanish singer Remedios Amaya also decided to cast aside her slingbacks, but the ploy was less fruitful. The Flamenco songstress's mournful lament finished last with no points.

CAN WE HAVE YOUR VOTES, PLEASE

Watching the performances - some might say - is just a tedious preamble to the legendary Eurovision voting and scoreboard, which gives many British viewers their annual exposure to the French language.

The jamboree of calling up each country is fraught with potential pitfalls, from the vote announcer taking too long to gush over what a wonderful show it was, to muddling up their scores in the heat of the moment.

Since announcers began appearing in vision, former entrants have often returned to bask in the glory, including the UK's Cheryl Baker from 1981 winners Bucks Fizz (pictured in 2005).

The modern era of televoting and free movement around Europe has led to some interesting quirks in Eurovision voting from migrants supporting their home countries. A strong Romanian contingent in Spain has led to the country awarding douze points to the Balkan nation, while Ireland's Baltic communities have pushed the country into giving top marks to Latvia and Lithuania in recent contests. A new voting system in 2009 (see juries) may dampen the influence of diasporas.

EXPANSION

The collapse of communism transformed Eurovision from a cosy western European club into a contest taking in the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and countries including Poland and Albania. Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan (pictured) have recently joined the fray. Some fans admit to having teary-eyed nostalgia for the Eurovision of old.

FOUR-WAY TIE

At the end of the 1969 contest, the UK, France, Netherlands and Spain were level on points, creating confusion as the organisers had no idea how to fix it. The four-way tie prompted five countries to boycott the 1970 competition. They were better prepared in 1991 when Sweden and France finished level at the top - a countback system saw the Swedes win the day.

GREEK GODDESSES

Some of Greece's best-known female singers have performed on the Eurovision stage - but not always for their country of birth. Musical legend Nana Mouskouri represented Luxembourg in 1963. Vicky Leandros (pictured) sang for the Grand Duchy in 1967, and took the country to victory with rousing ballad Apres Toi in 1972. It was left to Helena Paparizou to score Greece's only win to date in 2005. Ironically, she was born and brought up in Sweden.

HOSTS AND HOSTESSES

After a bevy of glamorous (if stern) female solo hosts, the Eurovision has been presented by a succession of male-female double acts, with varying degrees of success.

The UK plumped for Terry Wogan and Ulrika Jonsson in 1998, while Irish star Ronan Keating and previous competitors Zeljko Joksimovic, Sakis Rouvas and Renars Kaupers have all tackled the presenting gig.

ITALY (WE MISS YOU)

Italy was one of the original Eurovision nations who have managed two victories to date. They last appeared in 1997, citing financial issues and the existence of their own San Remo Festival for staying away. But last year, their tiny neighbour San Marino (entrants Miodio, pictured) graced the contest, stoking calls for an Italian renaissance. Five-time winners Luxembourg are also sorely-missed absentees from the original shake-up in 1956. Come back, why don't you?!

JURIES

Until 1998, jury panels made up of members of the public were used to decide the winner of the contest. The advent of telephone voting led to increasingly predictable scoring, prompting organisers to try a mix of public and jury voting in 2009. While the public sat on panels back in the day, this time music industry experts will deliver their verdicts. Their decisions could be very different to those of viewers.

KATIE BOYLE

The queen of Eurovision hostesses merits a separate entry for having chalked up four contests in her time during the 1960s and 1974, when Abba scored their famous win in Brighton. Renowned for her crisp style and command of languages, Katie, now 82, had to host the show wearing no underwear as it could be seen under the studio lights. Her most recent appearance was on a Eurovision Weakest Link special in 2004.

LOGAN, JOHNNY

The Irish crooner holds a unique place in Eurovision history for being the only performer to sing two winning songs, in 1980 and 1987, which were UK hits. In 1992 it was third time lucky as a songwriter, with Why Me performed by Linda Martin - the first of Ireland's incredible run of four wins during the 1990s.

MOLDOVAN GRANNY