The Eurovision Song Contest will feature a record-equalling 43 countries when it sets up home in Stockholm next year.

2016 will see the return of Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Bulgaria, raising the number of competitors to that previously achieved in only 2008 and 2011 before.

Eurovision
Eurovision 2015 winner Sweden’s Mans Zelmerlow (Ronald Zak/AP)

Ukraine will return to the competition after a one-year absence and Bosnia-Herzegovina will participate for the first time since 2012.

Croatia and Bulgaria, who last competed in 2013, will also rejoin the singing competition.

Eurovision will be welcoming back Australia for the second time in 2016, after it was selected to participate in honour of the contest’s 60th anniversary this year.

Eurovision
Russia’s Polina Gagarina came second with 303 points (Kerstin Joensson/AP)

Jon Ola Sand, executive supervisor of Eurovision, praised all the countries’ commitment to the night of camp glamour and song.

“We are proud to see broadcasters from 43 countries sign up for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.

“To see all these different countries and cultures come together, despite the challenges Europe and the world face today, shows the power of music and the enduring appeal of the Eurovision Song Contest,” he said.

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Britain’s entry Electro Velvet (Sarah Dunn/BBC)

Turkish broadcaster TRT has confirmed, however, that the country will not be back next year for the fourth year in a row.

Sweden won this year’s competition with Mans Zelmerlow’s performance of Heroes.

Britain’s entry, electro-swing duo Electro Velvet, placed 24th with just five points.