Eurovision 2024 – live: ‘Life is forever changed’ says Bambie Thug after chaotic contest
Switzerland was crowned the winner as boos were heard during appearances by Israel’s entry Eden Golan, while the UK’s Alexander managed to avoid coming last in the contest
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Reactions to the most chaotic Eurovision in history are pouring in after Switzerland act Nemo was crowned as this year’s winner.
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest was held in Malmö, Sweden, with scores arriving from the 25 countries that performed in the final, and in the wake of behind-the-scenes chaos.
Despite winning the contest, Nemo has not held back in their assessment of the organisers after it was revealed audience members were not permitted to bring non-binary flags into the arena.
Meanwhile, Irish delegate Bambie Thug has tearfully accused organisers of “not supporting them” over a row with an Israeli broadcaster. Afterwards, they said their life is “forever changed”.
Throughout the event, Pro-Palestine demonstrations took place outside the arena, with Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg removed by police.
Israel’s delegate Eden Golan performed early in the contest, with the BBC’s Graham Norton remarking on the boos heard by the crowd.
The UK’s entry Olly Alexander received a rather low score for his song “Dizzy”, after Ireland’s Bambie Thug dazzled with “Doomsday Blues”, following speculation that they could pull out of the final after missing the dress rehearsal.
Follow live updates below:
Thoughts on Ukraine’s performance
I absolutely love Ukraine’s song “Teresa & Maria”, I think it’s incredibly affecting, sung in Ukrainian, with an amazing rap interlude from Alyona Alyona, a former school teacher who’s hoping her performance with singer Jerry Heil will help raise funds to rebuild a school destroyed by a Russian missile. Super slick rapping: her inspirations include Eminem, Missy Elliott and Princess Nokia!
Meet Ukraine’s Eurovision contestants Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil
Meet Ukraine’s Eurovision contestants: Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil
Duo are hoping to raise awareness and funds for a school in Ukraine that was destroyed by a Russian missile
Thoughts on Sweden’s performance by Marcus & Martinus
So I had a brief chat with Norwegian twins Marcus & Martinus... they are lovely, of course, but this has to be one of the weakest of Sweden’s Eurovision entries in years. It’s a sub-standard club bop, taking vague nods from The Weeknd but failing to pull off the same thrills and spills.
Meet Sweden’s Eurovision 2024 entry, Norwegian twins Marcus and Martinus
Looks like we’re in for a Bambie Thug performance!
Hopefully I’m not calling it too early, but given Bambie Thug just appeared during the flag parade, it seems very likely we’ll get to see them perform in the grand final.
Another observation: the crowd look considerably more muted than I’ve seen them in previous Eurovision finals where they are going absolutely ballistic.
BBC off to a rocky start with Graham Norton’s coverage
Björn Skifs opens proceedings with “Hooked on a Feeling”, after a bit of a bumpy voiceover opening from the BBC’s presenter Graham Norton. Sounded like a mic issue.
And then the flag parade, where all the finalists come out with their country’s flag. Great entrance from Estonia just now.
Kaarija has pulled out of announcing Finland’s jury scores...
Finland’s 2023 runner up Kaarija has announced that he will no longer announce Finland’s jury votes.
Eurovision: Bambie Thug 'cried with team' after finding out Israel had made final
Ireland's Eurovision Song Contest entry Bambie Thug has accused the Israeli broadcaster, Kan, of a rule break, after the singer missed their final rehearsals.
The singer, who uses the pronouns they/them, has previously hit out at Israel's representative, Eden Golan, competing in the contest, and been outspoken about their pro-Palestine views before becoming the first Irish qualifier since 2018.
Bambie will compete in the final on Saturday.
In an Instagram story, they said: “I have raised multiple complaints to the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) regarding instances I have experienced this week.
“Earlier today they confirmed to my delegation in front of others that Kan's commentator had broken the rules of conduct during the Eurovision semi-final.
“I have been patiently waiting to hear what action is set to be taken by the EBU following this rule break. I have since seen a statement by EBU director general Noel Curran which contradicts this earlier confirmation.
“I am still waiting for an official update from the EBU. I hope to see you on the stage tonight.”
In response, a spokesperson for the Israeli broadcaster Kan told the PA news agency: “We wish everyone the best of luck tonight.”
The organisers of Eurovision said: “Bambie Thug did not perform in dress rehearsal three and the footage of their performance in dress rehearsal two was used in its place.
“They missed the dress rehearsal due to a situation that is currently being discussed with the EBU and song contest organisers.
“We hope that this will be resolved shortly and Bambie Thug will appear in the Grand Final show as planned.”
Irish broadcaster RTE has reported that the singer called on organisers to address commentary made on Israeli television before their performance in Tuesday's semi-final.
They told the broadcaster: “I'm angry with other teams breaching their rules of the EBU, and still being allowed in.
“So there's definitely a war drum sounding in my heart to push the performance even more than I have done before.”
Press Association
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