Conchita Wurst hints she will host Eurovision 2015 in Austria

Austrian Eurovision entry Conchita Wurst has insisted she has 'very thick skin' in the face of transphobic backlash (Reuters)

Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst has hinted she may host the song contest in Austria next year.

Speaking about her ambitions on The Graham Norton Show, she said: “I have cast myself in the role of host at Eurovision next year in Vienna,” adding that she also hopes to win a Grammy for her songs.

The singer, who has been compared to Shirley Bassey for her Eurovision performance of “Rise Like a Phoenix”, revealed Cher and Elton John have sent her personal messages since her performance.

Cher tweeted the singer after her performance to say: “Darling you deserve a lovelier name and better wig,” while Elton John and his partner David Furnish left a bouquet backstage on The Graham Norton Show with a message saying: “We love you, Elton and David”.

The transvestite, real name Tom Neuwirth, has received criticism for her bearded appearance, but says her androgynous look makes her feel empowered.

“It’s my own truth. It makes me comfortable on stage. I love myself and the bearded lady is fun and expresses everything I feel,” she said.

“Being a teenager is a small Austrian village was not fabulous. I tried to fit in and changed myself to be part of the game. I now realise I can create the game.”

Wurst has received transphobic comments from a number of Russian politicians, with one MP calling her a “pervert”.

She has also been accused by homophobic Russian protesters of creating a “hotbed of sodomy” at Eurovision 2014.

But Wurst said she took the comments in her stride. “Of course there are [haters] but I don’t care. I don’t focus on negativity, I focus on good things,” she said.

The Graham Norton Show airs tonight at 10.35pm on BBC One.

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