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.
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Dutch broadcaster calls Joost disqualification by Eurovision organisers ‘disproportionate'
The Netherlands entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, Joost Klein, was disqualified following a “threatening movement” from the singer towards a camerawoman, a Dutch radio and television broadcaster said.
A statement from the Netherlands' Songfestival, which sends acts to the Eurovision Song Contest, on X added that AVROTROS, the Dutch radio and television broadcaster, found the “penalty very heavy and disproportionate” and said it was “very disappointed”.
On X, formerly Twitter, the statement said: “An incident occurred after last Thursday's performance. Against clearly made agreements, Joost was filmed when he had just gotten off stage and had to rush to the green room.
“At that moment, Joost repeatedly indicated that he did not want to be filmed. This wasn't respected.
“This led to a threatening movement from Joost towards the camera. Joost did not touch the camerawoman. This incident was reported, followed by an investigation by the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and police”.
The statement said they had “consulted extensively with the EBU and proposed several solutions”, but that “nevertheless, the EBU has still decided to disqualify Joost Klein”.
It added that AVROTROS “finds the penalty very heavy and disproportionate”, saying they “stand for good manners - let there be no misunderstanding about that - but in our view, an exclusion order is not proportional to this incident”.
The statement ended saying: “We are very disappointed and upset for the millions of fans who were so excited for tonight. What Joost brought to the Netherlands and Europe shouldn't have ended this way.”
Klein, 26, entered with the song Europapa, which is a tribute to his late parents.
He was disqualified from Saturday night's grand final following a Swedish police investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The EBU said police were investigating a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night's semi-final.
“While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest,” it said in a statement.
“We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the contest.
“In light of this, Joost Klein's behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of contest rules.”
A follow-up statement said Dutch viewers would still be allowed to vote in the grand final and added that the Dutch jury result is still valid.
Press Association
Eurovision 2024 final subject of more chaos as French contestant calls for peace and Norway’s jury announcer resigns
The Eurovision Song Contest has been plunged into further chaos after France’s delegate Slimane called for peace, while a Norwegian jury spokesperson resigned as she appeared to call out the organisers for hypocrisy.
On Saturday (11 May) during the dress rehearsals at the Malmo Arena in Sweden, French contestant Slimane stopped singing “Mon Amour” to call for peace amid the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip.
There have been multiple calls to boycott the competition over Israel's participation with singer Eden Golan, who is due to perform her song Hurricane on Saturday evening, as large protests take place in the city centre.
Slimane told the audience: “Everybody, I just need to say something. Sorry I don't speak English very well but when I was a child I dreamed about music, I dreamed about this dream, to be a singer and to sing peace here.
“Every artist here wants to sing about love and sing about peace. We need to be united by music yes, but with love for peace. United by music yes, but with love for peace. Thank you so much, thank you Europe.”
Palestinian flags - which had been banned by the organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - were also seen in the audience.
Ahead of the grand final, Alessandra Mele posted to Instagram to say that she will no longer be the person who announces the points awarded by Norway during Eurovision.
In a video the former Eurovision contestant said: “Even though I'm thankful that I was given the opportunity to do so, I've taken the decision to withdraw. United by music - Eurovision's motto is the reason why the music unites people, brings them together.
“But right now, those words are just empty words. There is a genocide going on and I'm asking you all to please open up your eyes, open up your heart, let love lead you to the truth.
“It's right in front of you. Free Palestine.”
The grand final will now have 25 performers rather than 26 after Dutch act Joost Klein was disqualified following a Swedish police investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has been approached for comment.
Olly Alexander speaks out: ‘What a road it has been'
The UK’s delegate Olly Alexander has shared a somewhat muted video from his hotel room ahead of the final tonight. To be honest, who can blame him - it’s sounding as though the show is being thrown into further chaos after France’s entry Slimane called for “peace” (will the EBU see this as a “political” statement, I wonder?) and a Nowegian jury spokesperson resigned at the 11th hour, currently no confirmation as to why.
“We’re here, and last night’s jury performance went really well, so, let’s do this,” Alexander says in his video. “What more can I say apart from... vote for me. And... I love you all”
And no comment on his fellow delegate Joost being disqualified. Hmm.
Why is Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest final?
Israel will compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, despite calls for the country to be banned from participating due to its ongoing war on Gaza.
Eden Golan is representing Israel with the track “Hurricane”, which was reworked from original entry “October Rain” after it was alleged to include references to the 7 October attacks by Hamas, therefore breaching the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) rules over political songs.
The Israel-born Golan, who grew up in Russia, told ITV News this week that she could not have asked “for a better year to be representing my country”.
She has qualified to compete in the grand final tonight (Saturday 11 May), where she will be up against favourites including Switzerland’s Nemo with “The Code”, and the Netherlands’ Joost with “Europapa”.
Protests over Israel’s participation are underway in Malmö, Sweden, which is hosting this year’s contest following Swedish contestant Loreen’s win with “Tattoo” in 2023.
Why is Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest final?
Further protests are due to take place in Malmö, Sweden, after Eden Golan qualified for the grand final on Saturday
Eurovision 2024 favourites: Our Top 10, from Croatia’s Baby Lasagna to Ireland’s Bambie Thug
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is underway, with all qualifying countries now revealed and preparing to perform in tonight’s final.
Eurovision is typically known for its uplifting atmosphere, as fans celebrate each country’s musical talents along with plenty of dramatic staging, zany costumes and tremendous vocal performances.
Here are our favourites for the 2024 contest:
Who’s going to win Eurovision 2024? Our top 10 favourites
From zany novelty songs to club bangers and heartfelt ballads, the competition at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest is fierce. We take a look at our favourites
Eurovision’s Bambie Thug says pro-Palestine protests 'putting a cloud above everyone'
Meet Baby Lasagna, the maverick singer representing Croatia in the Eurovision 2024 final
Whatever the outcome for Croatia’s 2024 entry Baby Lasagna at Saturday’s final, the singer will go down in Eurovision history as the contestant with one of the best names.
Singer-songwriter Marko Purišić, 28, who is from Umag, Croatia, performs under the pseudonym Baby Lasagna – the name of a wider creative project he is pursuing following the launch of his solo career in 2023.
His song for this year’s competition, “Rim Tim Tagi Dim”, is a rock-techno-inflected track about economic migration, and its catchiness and epic staging has already seen fans crown him as one of this year’s favourite contestants.
Meet Baby Lasagna, the maverick singer representing Croatia in the Eurovision final
Croatian singer has already won over fans with raucous song ‘Rim Tim Tagi Dim’
Katie Price was the Eurovision winner that got away
The glamour model was seven months pregnant and dressed in a pink rubber catsuit when she placed second in a public vote to represent the UK in 2005. She’s since said she was left ‘humiliated’ by the experience, but her performance is secretly sort of brilliant, writes Adam White
Katie Price was the Eurovision winner that got away
The glamour model was seven months pregnant and dressed in a pink rubber catsuit when she placed second in a public vote to represent the UK in 2005. She’s since said she was left ‘humiliated’ by the experience, but her performance is secretly sort of brilliant, writes Adam White
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