LIFE is a roller coaster for Dorset’s Duncan James right now. For a start, the second series of his theme park-based game show Scream If You Know the Answer! is back on our screens, putting more celebrities to the test as they’re thrown up and around by various white knuckle rides.

But no matter how scary those corkscrews might be, they’re surely nowhere near as nerve-racking as James’s date with destiny this Saturday.

That’s the day he and the rest of the reformed Blue take to the stage in Dusseldorf to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest, with their track I Can.

Luckily, James, who grew up in Blandford, isn’t wishing the group had chosen a less high-profile reunion. “I’m really excited about it, actually. Coming back after having a six-year break is never easy. Blue have been forgotten about and people have moved on,” he says.

“For us, Eurovision just seemed like the perfect platform. You’re reaching out to 125 million people, so in one fell swoop letting everyone know you’re back as a band.

“We get to represent our country and put forward a song we’ve written, so for us it’s a great opportunity.”

The 33-year-old performer has been an enthusiastic follower of all things Eurovision for quite some time.

“As a kid it was a very big thing in my family. We used to watch it every single year religiously.

“I remember Michael Ball representing us in 1992 and he came second. It was really exciting when the votes came in because we nearly won. And when we won with Katrina And The Waves, that was a fantastic feeling.”

It was also 14 years ago. Since then the UK’s track record in the contest hasn’t been quite so impressive, with the likes of Jemini, Daz Sampson, Scooch and Andy Abraham failing to pull in the votes.

In 2009, it looked like we had turned a corner when Jade Ewen finished a respectable fifth with the Andrew Lloyd Webber tune It’s My Time.

Sadly, it turned out be a false dawn, as in 2010 Josh Dubovie came last with That Sounds Good to Me – apparently not sounding so good to the rest of Europe.

So now it falls to Blue to restore Britain’s national pride and prove we’re still a pop force to be reckoned with. James has even been checking out the competition.

“There are some really great acts this year. Estonia and France have got great songs and Norway’s is very catchy,” he says.

And what about Ireland, who this year are being represented by former X Factor contestants Jedward?

“They could do very well. They are a gimmicky act and I think Eurovision has moved on from the gimmicky acts personally, but you never know. Jedward connected with everyone in our country, we all fell in love with them, so Europe might fall in love with them too.”

But if Blue should happen to beaten by the bequiffed twins, it’s unlikely James will be downcast for long. He’s got too much else going on, including a new album from Blue and that second series of Scream If You Know the Answer!

And of course, a Eurovision victory would be the icing on the cake, but James is glad just to be taking part.

“It’s something I’m really proud of. If people in the UK knock it or say it’s cheesy, then that’s their issue. But me and the boys, we’re really excited.”