1998

[Star Attraction]

The Eurovision Song Contest came from National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, UK.

• Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia entered for the first time with "Ne Zori, Zoro" sung by Vlado Janevski (19th place, 16 points).
• The majority of participating countries used televoting.
• Israel won with "Diva" sung by Dana International, scoring 172 points.
• The UK's entry "Where Are You?" sung by Imaani, finished 2nd with 166 points.
• Switzerland finished last with nul points: "Lass Ihn" – Gunvor.

The 1998 Winter Olympics, (officially called the XVIII Olympic Winter Games) took place in Nagano, Japan from 7 to 22 February 1998.

• 72 countries took part and there were 72 events.

The 16th FIFA World Cup, took place in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998

• England reached the second round; they went out on penalties in the second round match against Argentina on 30 June.
• France won the final 3-0 against Brazil on 12 July 1998.
• Carnival De Paris was the official song of the tournament.
• Baddiel and Skinner and The Lightning Seeds - "Three Lions 98" (a variation of the original 1996 Three Lions) reached number 1 on the UK singles chart on 14 June.
• Another World Cup 98 related single was Fat Les - "Vindaloo".

Digital TV launched in the UK the autumn.

• BBC Choice launched on 23 September 1998. Initially it was only on the internet, until the launch of Sky Digital and ONdigital.
• Sky's digital service officially launched as Sky Digital on 1 October 1998.
• Digital terrestrial television launched on 15 November 1998, under the brand name ONdigital.
• ITV2 launched on 7 December 1998.

Other UK number one singles included:

• Aqua - "Dr Jones"
• Celine Dion - "My Heart Will Go On"
• Cornershop - "Brimful Of Asha"
• Boyzone - "No Matter What"
• Robbie Williams - "Millennium"
• The Spice Girls - "Goodbye"

If you have any more memories of 1998, please air them here.