As Eurovision returns to our screens, the UK act Look Mum No Computer flew the British flag in glory during the flag parade as Israel’s performance received cheers.
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 25 competing countries in the grand final in Austria 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
Delta…Delta WOW
Let’s go Delta, Australia…and the rest of the viewership is behind you.
The star, and absolute fan favourite, did her country proud with song Eclipse.
She is the very obvious, beautiful, horse in this race.
Ukraine goes high
Translated as relatives, or loved ones, Leleka performed her song Ridnym.
The actor-come-singer has released five albums throughout her career – hitting unbelievably high notes!
Some Eurovision trivia…Ukraine have always reached the semi-final in every contest they’ve taken part in. The only country to do so!
And the crowd screams ‘Greece’!
TikTok star Akylas jumps and prances in his furry orange booties and beanie as he brings song Ferto to life.
The song, themed on computer games, was met with a screaming arena.
Well done, Greece!
Israel faced backlash over claims it was attempting to influence the votes…like it allegedly did last year
Israel’s national broadcaster KAN received a formal warning yesterday from organisers over videos posted online by Noam Bettan, where he urges viewers to ‘vote 10 times for Israel.’
This follows the raising of concerns last year about Israel’s ability to influence the results of the contest.
Some broadcasters claimed social media posts on Israeli government accounts may have influenced the result, as they encouraged people to vote multiple times.
Martin Green, who is the director of the contest, said organisers will be watching this year’s voting patterns ‘very, very carefully’.
Albania wows in his chainmail wings
Alis provided a strong orchestral ballad amid smoke and what is seemingly an outfit of sparkling chainmail wings and sunglasses.
He won the fifth edition of The X Factor in Albania.
Surprise qualifier Belgium dances on ice
Essyla, who performed as a contestant on Belgium’s The Voice, took to the stage with Dancing on the Ice.
Israel’s Noam Bettan comes on as the third act
Noam Bettan took to the stage as his appearance comes with controversy around Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision.
The 28-year-old singer performed his song Michelle, having been booed in the semi-final.
Bettan was met with a mixed response.
Graham Norton said: ‘A slightly mixed response in the halls, not quite sure what we are hearing.’
He added after the performance: ‘I would say that is a largely positive to that.’
Protestors have been arrested outside tonight’s event
It has been reported pro-Palestine protestors have been arrested outside tonight’s event.
Eins, Zwei, Drei…WHAT?!
It’s been 29 years since the UK won the Eurovision in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves…and unfortunately it seems like it will most likely be 30.
It may be best to rather say ‘look mum no chance’ at the UK winning this year’s contest, as the act Look Mum No Computer – led by musician Sam Battle – has been hit by some strong national criticism.
Wearing a questionable pink boiler suit, the YouTube star has chosen to be surrounded by performers with fluffy headwear as he dances in a mock workshop while playing a synthesiser and later ends up in a cardboard box….
If you got through all that with one breath, we applaud you.
Viewers have bashed him, with one writing on X: ‘Just when you think it’s absolutely impossible to get any worse the UK entry has done it yet again! Absolute Trash. Nil points!’
Another added: ‘Why does the UK do so badly at Eurovision. LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER is another car crash of a performance. We’ve not had a good entry since Sam Ryder.’
Germany aptly followed in suit and is, indeed, on Fire
No country has ever won while performing in second place, but Germany’s act Sarah Engels has certainly won some hearts during her performance of Fire.
She’s the first performer of the Big Four – the UK, France, Germany and Italy – who were given a guarantee place in tonight’s final.
Meet the UK’s act…Look Mum No Computer
The musician, whose real name is Sam Battle, is a solo artist, songwriter and YouTuber.
Born in Lincolnshire, the 31-year-old first burst onto the music scene in 2014 as the frontman of indie rock band ZIBRA.
The group performed at Glastonbury in 2015 for BBC Introducing.
He then launched his YouTube career in 2016 and has since amassed over 91 million views and over 1.4 million subscribers across his social media pages.
Sam became well known for building his own synthesisers, circuit-bent instruments, and performing quirky, experimental tracks.
It was announced he was taking the baton to represent the UK in February, with the song Eins, Zwei, Drei
It’s about ‘escaping the soul-crushing boredom of the nine-to-five, into a world of dreams and endless possibilities’.
The chorus is partially sung in German, making it the first UK entry for a Eurovision song not to be exclusively sung in English in 68 years.
Denmark starts the games…
Jaws certainly haven’t remained in place during Soren Torpegaard Lund’s performance of For Vi Gar Hjem, translated as ‘before I go home’.
Olly Alexander, is that you?
