The United Kingdom will be represented by an unknown act in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, it has been revealed.

The BBC has taken responsibility for selecting the country's entry in the long-running contest - and has revealed that it has changed tack this year.

The identity of the act will be revealed on Monday, with the Beeb's Eurovision Twitter account saying: "OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: @scott_mills will premiere our UK act and song in a Red Button, iPlayer exclusive next Monday at 7.30pm.

"We're also excited to have found our act through their association with @bbc_introducing"

And Guy Freeman, the BBC exec in charge of Eurovision for the Corporation explained the new approach in a blog entry.

He wrote: "It's clear there's a disconnect between what kind of songs and artists are now winning Eurovision, versus the stereotype that many people – including much of the music industry - still hold in their minds.

"Yes, novelty songs and acts do still turn up in the show, provide great entertainment and make good press - but they don't tend to win.

"So, early on in plans for 2014, we took the view that we needed a bespoke, contemporary song, written specifically to suit the conditions of the competition - rather than trying to get lucky with a pre-existing track from an artist."

The 2014 contest will be held in Copenhagen on 10 May.