For the 2015 contest, the United Kingdom finished in twenty-fourth place out of twenty-seven competing entries with the song "Still in Love with You" performed by Electro Velvet.

This marked the first time since 2010 that a national final involving a public vote would be held to select United Kingdom's entry.

Six acts competed in a televised show on 26 February 2016 held at The O2 Forum venue in Kentish Town, London and hosted by Mel Giedroyc.

[6] On 30 September 2015, BBC announced an open submission for interested artists to submit their songs in the form of a video recording.

The received submissions from the open call were reviewed and a shortlist was compiled by the UK branch of the international OGAE fan club.

The BBC also collaborated with the former music director of RCA Records and founder of Innocent Records, Hugh Goldsmith, to consult with music industry experts including writers, producers, artist managers and members of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in order to encourage entry submissions and involvement in the national final.

[9] The show also featured a tribute to former British Eurovision Song Contest commentator Terry Wogan, who died in January 2016.

The panel consisted of Katrina Leskanich, Carrie Grant (member of the 1983 British representatives Sweet Dreams, vocal coach and television presenter) and Jay Revell (staging director, dancer and actor).

On 9 April, Joe and Jake performed during the Eurovision in Concert event which was held at the Melkweg venue in Amsterdam, Netherlands and hosted by Cornald Maas and Hera Björk.

[24] During the opening ceremony festivities that took place on 8 May, Joe and Jake took part in a draw to determine in which half of the final the British entry would be performed.

[30][31] Voting during the three shows was conducted under a new system that involved each country now awarding two sets of points from 1-8, 10 and 12: one from their professional jury and the other from televoting.

Each nation's jury consisted of five music industry professionals who are citizens of the country they represent, with their names published before the contest to ensure transparency.

This jury judged each entry based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act.