Eurovision fans have been left furious after Czechia was denied a chance to redo their performance after it was thwarted by a filming error during the competition.
Daniel Žižka choreographed a very complex stage routine to perform his song Crossroads in Vienna as he performed in a chamber of mirrors on Saturday night.
But as he belted out the song, the cameraman was clearly visible in the mirrors and the screens at home buffered from a techical malfunction.
The recording was seen losing focus, glitching with lines across the screen and dropping to peculiar angles.
The mistakes were so noticeable that UK commentator Graham Norton joked in his announcement and asked the public to count how many times they saw a cameraman.
He also went on to explain that these issues did not happen during rehearsal and that a cameraman fell over while filming.
Eurovision fans have been left furious after Czechia was denied a chance to redo their performance after it was thwarted by a filming error during the competition
Daniel Žižka choreographed a very complex stage routine to perform his song Crossroads in Vienna as he performed in a chamber of mirrors
While Daniel continued the show and finished his performance, fans watching at home were quick to ask if he would be given the chance to perform again.
‘Technical hitch in Czechia! Picture kaput for seconds. According to the rules of [Eurovision], Czechia can decide whether Daniel Žižka wants to sing again,’ one wrote.
‘I wonder if Czechia will argue that they should sing again, that was about 30 seconds of technical issues’.
Eurovision rules state that performers are allowed to request the option to sing again if a malfunction disrupts their routine.
Czechia’s delegation submitted a claim to the EBU requesting permission to perform again.
However, the EBU has reportedly denied their request, according to Super TV.
‘There was a small camera issue during the performance of Czechia’s song at the Grand Final,’ the EBU’s statement read.
‘The performance and audio were not affected, so the song will not be performed again’
But as he belted out his latest hit, the cameraman was clearly visible in the mirrors as the screens suffered from a malfunction
Fans were outraged on Czechia’s behalf and made their feelings known on social media after they were denied to perform again
Fans were outraged on Czechia’s behalf and made their feelings known on social media.
@esc_gabe wrote: ‘Outrageous decision. Completely ridiculous and unfair.’
‘IT WAS NOT A MINOR ISSUE,’ claimed @frorglvr. Meanwhile @ESCViking wrote: ‘What a terrible take. And what an easy win to get broadcasters to like the EBU again.’
Graham, 63, was praised by Eurovision viewers as they said his brutal sarcasm made the competition ‘worth watching.’
As the UK entry, Look Mum No Computer, finished in last place, viewers at home hailed the broadcaster a ‘shining light’ amongst an otherwise disappointing show.
Graham, who has narrated BBC coverage since 2009, didn’t hold back as he made digs at everything from the host’s lack of chemistry to the contestants’ outfits.
His cutting remarks included telling viewers to ‘put the dog in the kitchen’ when one singer took to the stage, while another joke saw him exclaim, ‘What the hell?!’ when Latvia came on screen.
Sharing their thoughts on social media, fans wrote on X: ‘The day Graham Norton retires will be a sad day. A shining light of British TV coverage on Eurovision.’
‘Graham Norton is about a million times more sarcastic this year and loving it.’
Others added: ‘Graham Norton is the actual highlight of Eurovision.’
‘Graham Norton is making this viewable.’
‘Graham Norton is so sarcastic this year for his Eurovision commentary.’
‘Who else watches just for Graham Norton and the comments?’
Entrants receive points from a professional jury from each country, as well as from a public vote.
The maximum amount of points from any country’s jury or the public is 12.
Ukraine awarded the UK their first point of the night, as they gave them one while awarding Douze points to Malta.
But ultimately, the UK’s entry flopped and finished in rock bottom yet again, while Bulgaria clinched Eurovision glory.
It was a tense final vote as Bulgaria pipped Israel for the trophy, winning the competition for the first time with Dara and her catchy pop song Bangaranga.
