Brucknell, a 30-year-old English singer-songwriter, had hoped that Swiss regulations that allow entries from abroad would give her a chance, but results of the voting announced on Tuesday showed the successful nominees were all Swiss-based.

The London-based singer was one of more than 200 artists, including many from other countries, bidding for nine nominations to be selected for German-speaking Switzerland.

SRF, the German-language broadcaster, unveiled the successful nominees, all of whom were based in Switzerland, even if all of them sang songs in English.

One of the nominees even sounded like he might be from Britain — Andy McSean, who entered a song called “Hey Now” — although he is based in Saint Gallen and his website is in German only.

Other contenders came from the cantons of Zurich, Aargau, Bern, Graubünden, Lucerne and Vaud.

The nominees for German-speaking Switzerland were selected by an Internet vote and an expert jury.

Six additional candidates were selected for French-speaking Switzerland by RTS, the national broadcaster, with five of the songs in English.

RSI, the Italian-language broadcaster, selected three nominees from Ticino, including a group — Vad Vuc — that sings in Italian (the others are English).

Curiously, a publicity photo of the band shows the members posing in what looks like bowler hats.

An expert panel will now judge the 18 nominees to determine who has the best live vocal skills and stage presence on a programme to be aired on December 7th.

The best six performers will then participate in a “decision show” to be aired nationally from the Bodensee Arena in Kreuzlingen, in the eastern canton of Thurgau, on January 31st 2014.

The show ill determine who represents Switzerland in next year’s Eurovision contest, to celebrate its 60th year in Vienna, Austria.

More information about the 18 Swiss nominees is available on the German SRF website and on the Eurovision website.