FOLLOWING the UK’s poorly-scored performance at the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, we’re fondly looking back to 2009 when a Taunton musician helped the UK achieve 5th place.

Former Queen’s College student Rustom Pomeroy played accompanying violin for the UK entry, Jade Ewen, in front of millions in Moscow. Jade was selected to perform through a reality TV show by composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The UK’s performance of ‘It's My Time’ scored 173 points, placing the UK 5th in the year Norway’s ‘Fairytale’ won the trophy with 387 points.

In the 14 years since Rustom has achieved success as a composer and violinist in the BBC Concert Orchestra.

The musician started learning the violin at age two and a half, completing his Grade Eight exam at 16. He attended Wells Cathedral School and later studied music at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Rustom’s brother, Feroze, said ahead of the contest in 2009: “Perhaps the music will not be of such a high standard but how often does a musician get to play to a TV audience of between 100 million and 600 million people internationally? 

“I am sure it is a little like Marmite – you either like Eurovision or hate it – but still to be a part of this big event and to play in front of such a huge audience is quite an achievement. I hope it can inspire the current young musicians of Somerset to believe anything is possible. 

This year pop artist Olly Alexander, 33, represented the UK, performing the song Dizzy at the Malmo Arena in Sweden. The UK finished the competition in 18th place with 46 points.

The UK was the only country to not score from the audience tally. Despite this, Olly said he had experienced “a lot of love” following his performance.

Switzerland’s Nemo finished in first place on Saturday with 591 points. Croatia’s Baby Lasagna was given 547 points, and Ukraine’s Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil landed on 453 points.