Eurovision 2018: SuRie survives a stage invasion, Israel's Netta rocks and Moldova brings the ridiculous

Israel's contestant Netta emerged triumphant with her colourful, empowering pop banger "Toy"

The 63rd Eurovision Song Contest was undeniably one of the most eventful in recent memory thanks to a stage invasion during the UK entry’s performance.

Singer SuRie was praised for her superb handling of the moment a man ran onto the stage in the middle of her song, grabbed the microphone from her hand and began shouting about “Nazis” and the “UK media’.

SuRie barely appeared to flinch; turning and stepping away as the man was tackled by security. A shocked Graham Norton was quick to applaud her poise, later adding when it was announced she would not repeat the performance that she had “nothing to prove”.

Reactions on social media were swift to condemn both the stage invader and also security at the event, with many wondering how it was possible he had evaded the many guards, cameras and gates at the venue in Lisbon, Portugal.

In Australia, one TV commentator branded the stage invader an “absolute c**khead”.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling was clearly watching from home and tweeted: “That was everyone who's ever been on stage's worst nightmare and it must have been scary, but what a pro, what a recovery.”

British TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal was just as furious about the interruption, tweeting: “AND TO THE FILTH THAT JUST DONE THAT TO US I HOPE YOU BROKE YOUR LEG WHEN YOU WAS DRAGGED OFF.”

Clark-Neal also supported security despite the incident, saying they had been “amazing” and suggesting the stage invader must have been “very clever and quick”.

This wasn’t the only controversy at this year’s Eurovision. China had already been banned from broadcasting the competition after it censored Ireland’s performance over a dance featuring a same-sex couple, and also pixelating a pro-LGBT+ rainbow flag.

Among the best-received performances were Israel’s victorious Netta, with her song “Toy”, and the brilliant Hungarian metal band who lit up the stage with a dazzling display of pyrotechnics, bare feet, and some impromptu stage-diving.

France received praise for Madame Monsieur’s touching performance of “Mercy”, while Moldova raised more than a few eyebrows with its entry’s song “My Lucky Day” which appeared to be about a threesome, and featured its three singers plus three body doubles popping in and out of a giant calendar.

Spain melted hearts thanks to its two contestants’ real-life romance, but many pointed out it was a shame the male singer Alfred was completely off-key for the entire performance.

Norton’s commentary throughout the show was spot-on as per, which included the dry quip: “Now it's time for the flag ceremony. It's a new tradition. It's a way of making the show just that little bit longer” and – at the Spanish couple’s performance: “I give it a month.” When Hungary’s intense song concluded he simply said: “It’s over for everyone.”

The British contingent in attendance at the year’s Eurovision seemed hesitant about how well they’d be received given ongoing Brexit negotiations, but – even for Eurovision – there was a particularly inclusive and uplifting mood in Lisbon; particularly after the interruption with SuRie.

However Rob Holley, The Independent's reporter from Lisbon, noted that the mood grew considerably more tense after the stage invasion.

It darkened even further as the UK received just two points (from Latvia) in the jury voting process - embarrassing even given the UK's past performances.

Ultimately it was Israel that triumphed with Netta and "Toy", with a whopping total of 529 points with the combined professional and public vote.

"Thank you for celebrating diversity. Thank you! I love my country! See you in Jerusalem!" Netta said in her acceptance speech.

Taking to the stage she performed the song for a final time, in spectacular fashion and representing everything we love about Eurovision: diversity, inclusion, fun, and utter, utter madness.