IT has long been a joke within the music industry – and one I’ve laughed along with – but for the first time Britain actually has a hope at next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

After years of punching below our weight, some serious musical heavyweights are taking on the challenge of spearheading our efforts — with support from A-listers including Dua Lipa and Sir Elton John.

In charge of the campaign will be pop supremos Tap Music management — the team behind the careers of Dua, Ellie Goulding, Lana Del Rey and thriving rising star Dermot Kennedy — after it struck a deal with the BBC to overhaul our approach.

If anyone can do it it’s these guys, who also recently signed Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock and will help to craft her solo projects.

Talent chiefs Ben Mawson and Ed Millett, who run the firm, have already pulled out the big guns, enlisting the help of this week’s chart-toppers Elton and Dua to announce their search for Britain’s Eurovision contender.

We haven’t won the contest since Katrina and The Waves triumphed 25 years ago.

Dua said: “I’m a proud Brit whilst also being a proud Kosovan. I’m happy to lend my manager to the cause. I’ll be cheering them on!”

Elton added: “There aren’t many televised events that are as big and global as Eurovision, so it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to remind the world yet again of the depth and diversity of our talent. I can’t wait to see what gems our friends at Tap Music will unearth.”

I’m told the team have already got Radio 1’s head honchos on board as they bid to reach a younger audience and reinvigorate the excitement around Eurovision. The compeтιтion remains a huge draw across the continent, where it is taken seriously, but has lost some of its appeal in the UK.

But as Spice Girls star Mel C puts it: “The Brits make fantastic pop music. Not only that, we invented it!

“Isn’t it about time we started showing the rest of Europe what we can do and put our best foot forward when it comes to Eurovision?”

And Tap co-founder Ben insisted now is the time to stop blaming political voting for the UK’s poor performance — after James Newman finished bottom of the leaderboard earlier this year.

Ben said: “We’re really excited to be teaming up with the BBC for this event and will use Eurovision to authentically reflect and celebrate the rich, diverse and world-class musical talent the UK is globally renowned for.

“For many years, we’ve witnessed the United Kingdom not doing as well as we would have liked, when pop music is something we usually excel at.

“The simple fact is it’s time to show what we can do and reveal the wonderful musical talent we have. Ultimately we can’t blame politics.

May’s event in Rotterdam was watched by an audience of 183million, making it the world’s biggest live music event — and the perfect place to launch a new star.

Next year’s compeтιтion will be held on May 14 in Turin, Italy, after Italian rockers Maneskin were crowned the champions earlier this year. They have bucked the curse of Eurovision winners by launching a glittering career off the back of it and scoring a string of hits here and in the US.

The band played a secret gig at London’s O2 Academy Islington last night ahead of their show at the O2 Academy Brixton next February, which sold out in minutes.

With the best in the business behind next year’s entry, I have every faith our contender will be even more successful.