Bonnie Tyler Eurovision entry: two reactions

Bonnie Tyler is to represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden.

The Welsh star will sing Believe in Me, written by US songwriter Desmond Child with British songwriters Lauren Christy and Christopher Braide.

Eurovision pundit Liam Jarnecki and "superfan" Barry Viniker give their reaction to the song and the BBC's decision to send Tyler to the annual competition.

Liam Jarnecki, pundit

It's an interesting choice. The song seems a little underwhelming, but it doesn't mean it will be on the night.

There's a lot of slow songs this year, so this needs to be a bit more souped-up if Bonnie's going to do herself justice on stage.

When you think of the songs she's sung - like Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero - they're famous for their music sequences and they're such engaging tunes because they travel somewhere. But this is a plodding tune, and she's not a plodding singer.

Engelbert Humperdinck represented the UK in 2012

The people who represent us have to be able to sing, that's the key thing. Last year with Engelbert Humperdinck, we took a big name that was suitable for the place we sent him [Azerbaijan].

But his song got lost - mainly because of the draw as he sang first, but it was also difficult for him to do.

He messed up in the dress rehearsal when the jury cast their votes. So the big question is can Bonnie sing it and will she engage with the camera, however plodding the song.

Some people will it - she is Bonnie Tyler after all. She's currently on tour in Europe and is a big star from the songs she's had. This song's just not as good.

I think they need to have another look at it to try and put a bit more life into it - it doesn't have that second gear and you could make it a bit more interesting to take it somewhere.

All the countries will be changing their entries between now and the show so they've still got time.

Bonnie Tyler might appeal to the juries, but she won't get telly voters rushing to vote for the song.

Barry Viniker, 'superfan'

I've been struggling to sleep lately, and the only thing I can say about this song is I think I've found a cure.

I've been staring at my screen in disbelief - it's a disgrace. With 25 modern songs it's going to get forgotten.

It was embarrassing on a national front when we had Engelbert Humperdinck last year. Although the BBC said he was a "true global superstar" and sold millions of records, unfortunately they were sold to people before CDs came out.

Now they've found a female equivalent with an even poorer song.

Former Eurovision hopeful Ewen (l) went on to join the Sugababes

At least with Andrew Lloyd Webber we got to see fresh talent and still came a credible fifth place.

The last girl to do it [Jade Ewen in 2009] ended up with global recognition and ended up in the Sugababes.

The BBC has the biggest talent pool to choose from. Obviously we wouldn't get a big star as they're booked up, but we could find someone maybe like Pixie Lott.

She may not be a household name, but she can sing and she can go out there and represent the country and sell thousands of copies of her song. I doubt this song will.

Although we've sent well-known people like Cliff Richard and Lulu in the past, the difference is they sang for us in the '60s when they were famous.

We're kidding ourselves if we think this song will finish anywhere out of the bottom five, if not last.

The 2013 Eurovision Song Context takes place in Malmo, Sweden on 18 May.