SWINDON songbird Sarah Covey ensured the UK tasted Eurovision success this weekend - despite her home country’s entry scoring just five points - but is now back working at Specsavers.

The 28-year-old represented Belgium as a backing singer in the grand final and helped the entry finish fourth, with 217 points.

Miss Covey, from Liden, stepped onto the Vienna stage on Saturday night as one of five backing vocalists for Belgian entry Rhythm Inside, performed by Loïc Nottet.

And the fairytale night saw the troupe scoop the highest score the country had received since 2002.

Quirky frontman Loïc entranced viewers with his robotic dance moves and flawless twirl, even lying down at one point during the performance.

Soprano Sarah, who was selected to take part after meeting musical director Nicolas Dorian while studying at the Royal Academy of Music, confessed to nerves moments before performing to a worldwide audience of more than 195 million, She said: “The seconds before stepping onto stage was pretty nerve-wracking.

“You could hear the crowds but the actual performance was a bit of a blur. People were coming up to me and saying it was amazing but I couldn’t remember that much of it.”

In a night of warrior outfits, glitter hairspray, interactive stickmen and industrial strength wind machines Sarah managed to stand out from the crowd, gaining three coveted douze points from Europe.

“We never expected to win but actually doing so well for Belgium and getting three top marks was amazing. I loved sitting in the green room waiting for the results. It was definitely a pinch yourself moment.

“When it finished we went back to the hotel room and celebrated with all of the team and it was nice to relax. I still can’t believe I went to Eurovision and I’m sad it’s all over.”

Taking the trophy at the glittering awards ceremony in Austria was Sweden’s Mans Zelmerloew, whose song Heroes was tipped for success from the outset.

Representing the UK, pop duo Electro Velvet failed to capture the imagination of European voters with their electro pop/Charleston effort, I’m Still in Love With You, scoring only five points.

It’s now back to business for talented songstress Sarah, as she combines going to auditions with her day job, at Specsavers.

She said: “Work has been really supportive and even held a Eurovision party for me before I left.

“The support I received from friends and family was incredible too, people liked that the song was so different.”

Sarah’s career has risen since she started performing at the age of 12 and began singing lessons with Swindon singing charity Janice Thompson Performance Trust in 2001.

She was crowned Vocal and Supreme Champion in the Swindon Music Festival in both 2006 and 2008 as well as Best Female Runner up in the national talent show, Live And Unsigned-South Coast Idol in 2007.

She is also a graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Music and appeared in West End show, We Will Rock You, and now lives in London.