Molly Smitten-Downes is representing the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest tonight with her self-written song Children of the Universe. Photo: BBC/PA Wire

Experts at the London College of Music have come up with a formula for the perfect Eurovision entry and reckon it points to possible success for UK entry Molly Smitten-Downes.

The month-long study, led by senior lecturer Sam Sutton, analysed all of the winners from the past 10 years to find out what made them stand out.

It found winning songs are usually no more than three minutes long and often have a three-note hook on the chorus.

The researchers, sponsored by music-streaming service Blinkbox, also identified a sense of familiarity and cheeky charm as “key variables” that can lead to success.

They produced the formula (3m + 3NCh) + SF + CC = W which is translated as (three minutes long or less + three-note Chorus) + sounds familiar + cheeky charm = win.

Sutton said: “The blinkbox music Eurovision study shows that past winners share a cunning secret for success – they keep it simple. A song which is less than three minutes long combined with a three note hook in the chorus is their first step. The next is to engage potential voters with a sense of familiarity by serving up a dynamic chorus. All of this then sits above that all-important factor, cheeky charm.

Even applying science might not be enough as we all know that acts can be frustrated by tactical voting

“This year’s UK entry Molly does this brilliantly. The vocal melody has that familiar quality and only requires one listen before it’s firmly rooted on repeat in your brain. It is also three minutes long on the nose, which firmly puts her in the running.”

Ian Sawbridge from Blinxbox said the formula made “total sense”, but warned it might not be enough for Smitten-Downes to triumph.

He said: “The UK’s five previous winning songs have all featured catchy hooks, dynamic sing-a-long choruses and a dollop of cheeky charm.

“But even applying science might not be enough as we all know that acts can be frustrated by tactical voting, no matter how meticulous they are with their preparation.”

Smitten-Downes will perform her self-written song Children of the Universe at the contest in Copenhagen today with a potential TV audience of 120 million.

Fans will be hoping she does better than last recent entries after Bonnie Tyler managed a lowly 19th place last year and Engelbert Humperdinck was 25th out of 26 acts in 2012.

The singer, from Leicestershire, has been writing songs for a decade and has supported acts such as Jake Bugg, Tinie Tempah and Labrinth.