Format
For the first time, each participating broadcaster was required to televise all the songs in "previews" prior to the live final. Belgium's preview video featured Nicole & Hugo performing the song "Goeiemorgen, morgen", but Nicole was struck with a sudden illness days before the contest final, with Jacques Raymond & Lily Castel stepping in at very short notice to perform the entry in their place. Reports suggested that Castel hadn't even had enough time to buy a suitable dress for the show.
The BBC were worried about the possible audience reaction to the British song due to the hostilities raging in Northern Ireland. They specifically selected a singer from Northern Ireland, Clodagh Rodgers who was popular in both the UK and Ireland to ease any ill-feeling from the Dublin audience. She reported receiving death threats from the IRA for representing the UK.
Groups of up to six people were allowed to perform for the first time, with the rule in previous contests of performing either solo or as a duet abolished. This was RTÉ's first outside broadcast in colour. The contest was broadcast in Iceland, USA & Hong Kong few days later.
Read more about this topic: Eurovision Song Contest 1971