Eurovision returns to our screens tonight with 25 nations battling it out on stage in the Grand Final in Austria.
Tonight’s contest – which is now in its 70th year – has been overshadowed by a boycott of five countries, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia, over Israel’s participation.
The competing countries in the grand final will be Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Ukraine and the UK whose entrant is Look Mum No Computer, otherwise known as Sam Battle.
The Eurovision Song Contest grand final will take place on Saturday at 8pm, and will be shown live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Follow the latest updates from the Eurovision Grand Final
UK in Eurovision: A potted history
The United Kingdom has competed in Eurovision on 65 occasions, taking part in every contest since 1959.
One of the so-called ‘Big Five’ nations, alongside France, Germany, Spain and Italy, the UK gains automatic qualification to the final every year because it is one the largest contributors to the European Broadcasting Union.
Despite finishing in last place on four occasions including twice in the past five years (2019 and 2021) including latterly scoring “nul points” with James Newman, the UK remains one of the most successful countries in the competition.
Here are the UK’s five previous wins:
- 1967: Sandie Shaw – Puppet on a String
- 1969: Lulu Boom Bang-a-Bang (joint winner with France, Spain and The Netherlands)
- 1976: Brotherhood of Man – Save Your Kisses for Me
- 1981: Bucks Fizz (pictured above) – Making Your Mind Up
- 1997: Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine a Light
UK’s Eurovision act Look Mum No Computer and Australia entry Delta Goodrem perform dress rehearsal ahead of tonight’s live final
Eurovision acts performed last-minute dress rehearsals ahead of tonight’s live final in Vienna, Austria.
UK’s entry Look Mum No Computer will compete against favourites including Finland, Greece and Australia.
Look Mum No Computer, real name Sam Battle, will perform his zany entry Eins, Zwei, Drei.
Read more here:
Eurovision superfans gather in Vienna
Excitement builds across the UK and the continent with one hour to go before this year’s grand final kick off. Lets look at some Eurovision superfans who were pictured at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna earlier today.
