A total of 182 songs were submitted and at no time during the judging phase were the names of either the composers, authors or publishers divulged.

The twelve songs from each session with the highest points were put forward to the Second Listening.

Eight judges consisting of similar representatives as the first session but individuals called at different times so that they did not appear with the same people as previous voting.

All songs reaching this stage were again mixed and re-numbered so that they were not played in the same order as previous listenings.

Fifteen judges consisting of similar representatives as previous sessions but also invited were special guests which included successful songwriters and record producers.

All songs reaching this stage were again mixed and re-numbered so that they were not played in the same order as previous hearings.

The listening was held at a meeting at the BBC Television Centre under the auspices of James Moir, Head of Variety.

Additionally for the first time, the phone numbers to call appeared on screen and prior to the end of part one, a reprise of all the competing songs was played.

The theme music and title sequence were the same the one used in the previous year, a revamped Te Deum.

Scott Fitzgerald scored well and was involved in a tense battle for first place with Switzerland's entrant Celine Dion.

The BBC appointed Colin Berry as its spokesperson to announce the British jury votes.

The members of the UK jury included Nicola Chapman, Terry Clarke, Alfred Collet, Geoff Dennis, James Douglas, Alison Fox, Mike Goss, Carol Holroyd, Muir Johnson, Karen Marsden, Mavis Masters, Molly Roberts, Andrew Sidell, Renate Smith, Paul Tunnicliffe, and Robert Unsworth.