Eurovision final – as it happened: Ukraine wins with Kalush Orchestra’s song Stefania

Ukraine hip-hop group triumphs, while singer-songwriter Sam Ryder does the UK proud

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra performs Stefania at 2022 Eurovision Song Contest

The Eurovision 2022 final proved to be one of the liveliest and most competitive in recent memory.

While the atmosphere was still good-humoured, the sheer quality of the 25 countries competing this year presented voters with some tough decisions.

Ultimately, though, favourites Ukraine and their entry Kalush Orchestra were crowned the winners, leaving many to wonder if the country will be able to host the contest in 2023.

Sam Ryder, a singer-songwriter who rose to fame on TikTok, performed original song “Space Man” and – despite previous dismal efforts from the UK – won over much of the audience, and the jury too, to come second place.

“It’s been phenomenal,” he told The Independent of the support he’s received. “The whole team have been working so hard going around Europe, using as much time as we could to do TV, radio, singing on street corners… Everywhere we’ve been, there’s been nothing but kindness and good vibes.”

A trio of famous presenters led proceedings for the evening, with pop singer Mika joining fellow hosts Italian TV personality Alessandro Cattelan and Italian singer Laura Pausini on stage.

The liveblog is now closed.

Eurovision 2022 key points

• Everything you need to know about the Eurovision Song Contest
• The UK’s painful Eurovision history – in numbers
• Why is Russia banned from Eurovision 2022?
• UK’s Sam Ryder praised for rousing performance of Space Man
• Ukraine gives douze points to UK’s Sam Ryder as results come in

[14 May 2022 21:57 · Roisin O'Connor]

COME ON SAM

UK HERE WE GO

[14 May 2022 22:01 · Roisin O'Connor]

Sam Ryder did us proud

What a performance! He really gave it his all, amazing guitar solo, incredibly vocals... absolutely nothing to be embarassed about this year. Come on voters!

[14 May 2022 22:11 · Roisin O'Connor]

Eurovision fans praise Sam Ryder’s performance of Space Man

Eurovision fans are ecstatic over the UK’s entry.

This year’s UK representative is singer-songwriter and TikTok star Sam Ryder.

The Essex-born musician performed his song “Space Man” at the finals in Turin, Italy – this year’s host country, following the victory of Italian rock band Måneskin in 2021’s competition.

Prior to his selection as this year’s hopeful, the 32-year-old made a name for himself on TikTok through a mix of his covers of major hits and original music.

Viewers shared their reactions to Ryder’s performance on Twitter.

[14 May 2022 22:16 · Roisin O'Connor]

Now it’s up to the voters...

That’s it! The show concludes with Estonia’s Stefan singing “Hope”, and now it’s time to voooooooooote:

[14 May 2022 22:33 · Roisin O'Connor]

Maneskin perform new single Supermodel despite Damiano David’s injury

Poor Damiano! He turned up to the Eurovision final using a crutch (apparently he busted his ankle before the the show). He and his band Maneskin still proved exactly why they were champions last year, putting on a fiery rendition of new song “Supermodel”, along with a teaser of a new track. Asked if he had any advice for this year’s 25 contestants, he joked: “Don’t get too close to the table.” Of course referring to the notorious “coke” scandal where he was caught on camera bending over a table – which turned out to be him picking up some broken glass from the floor.

[14 May 2022 22:57 · Roisin O'Connor]

Less than a minute to vote!

The fateful hour is almost upon us...

[14 May 2022 23:02 · Roisin O'Connor]

Maneskin joke about last year’s ‘cocaine’ controversy

Maneskin returned to Eurovision with lead vocalist Damiano David joking about last year’s “cocaine” controversy.

The Italian rock band were the winners of last year’s Song Contest with their performance of “Zitti E Buoni” at the Ahoy arena in Rotterdam.

The group returned to Eurovision this year on Saturday night (14 May) to sing their new track “Supermodel” before voting began.

After their performance, host Alessandro Cattelan – an Italian TV personality – asked the band if they had any advice for the competitors awaiting the results.

Lead vocalist David joked in response: “Have fun and don’t get close to the table.”

Full story here:

[14 May 2022 23:05 · Roisin O'Connor]

Voting gets underway

Everyone in the press room is holding their breath...

[14 May 2022 23:15 · Roisin O'Connor]

Another set of douze points for the UK’s Sam Ryder

From Belgium and Germany, absolutely incredible scenes

[14 May 2022 23:44 · Roisin O'Connor]

Vote turns to the public

Right, I’ve been screaming for a while now, but the UK is at the top of the leaderboard after the jury votes in what feels like an unprecedented moment. Here come the public votes, which can change everything...