JOSH Dubovie said he was "still smiling" after suffering the humiliation of coming last in the Eurovision Song Contest.
The 19-year-old from Laindon represented the UK with a song masterminded by hit-maker Pete Waterman.
But his performance of That Sounds Good To Me failed to win over the public and national juries and he ended up in bottom place with 10 points.
Dubovie, who went to Billericay School, said: "This has been one of the best experiences of my life no matter where I've come in the contest.
"It's been a privilege to represent the UK, I will keep performing and I'm still smiling."
It is the third time the UK has finished in bottom spot in the past eight years, after poorly-received performances from Andy Abraham in 2008 and Jemini in 2003.
Waterman and co-composers Mike Stock and Steve Crosby said: "We are proud that Josh performed our song brilliantly and he did a fantastic job for the UK."
Germany stormed to victory in the annual competition with another 19-year-old singer, Lena, who scored 246 points with her song Satellite.
Also failing to score well was Ireland, whose hopes rested on former Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh.
The flame-haired singer took the title for Ireland in 1993 with a powerful rendition of In Your Eyes, the second victory of Ireland's three-in-a row. But this year the country ended in 23rd position - just two above the UK.
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