(LONDON) - A former garbage collector was on Saturday selected as Britain's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Belgrade in May.

Andy Abraham, who made his name by reaching the final of British television talent show "X Factor" in 2005, beat five other finalists in a public vote with his song "Even If", in a competition aired by the BBC.

When his victory was announced, the 43-year-old -- who earlier said that winning would be a "dream come true" -- looked stunned and said: "Oh my God."

He will be hoping to improve on Britain's recent struggles in the contest -- last year's entry, Scooch, finished 22nd out of 24 entries.

Some 120 million television viewers across Europe tuned in to watch last year's winner, 23-year-old Marija Serifovic from Serbia, take home the crown with "Molitva", a love song about the uncertainties between God and man.

Ireland has been the most successful nation since the contest began in 1956, winning it seven times. France, Luxembourg and Britain have won five times each.

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