Eurovision 2023 results – live: Sweden’s win sparks conspiracy theories as fans question ‘convenient’ timing
British pop singer takes it on the chin after a dramatic showdown between Finland and Sweden left her UK entry ‘I Wrote a Song’ near the bottom of the leaderboard
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
Sweden have won the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with Loreen’s song “Tattoo”.
The dust is beginning to settle after an extraordinary grand final, which took place in Liverpool on Saturday night (13 May) and was watched by a record-breaking number of viewers.
The final results arrived in a tense showdown with Finland as the public vote temporarily sent Käärijä and his song “Cha Cha Cha” to the top of the leaderboard.
Meanwhile, it was a devastating result for the UK’s entry Mae Muller, whose performance of “I Wrote a Song” failed to sway the jury or the public and ending up coming second-to-last. Yet the 25-year-old once again displayed a positive attitude, sending a message to her supporters soon after the final scores were in.
This year’s competition marked the first time the UK has hosted a Eurovision final in 25 years. It was decided that Liverpool would host after 2022’s winning country Ukraine said it would be unable to do so due to the ongoing invasion by Russia.
Twenty finalists including Norway and Australia competed against Eurovision’s Big Five (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) and Ukraine, who automatically qualified to the grand final.
Sweden’s Loreen wins Eurovision Song Contest 2023
Sweden has been declared the winner of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, following an incredible showing from Loreen in Liverpool.
A total of 26 countries performed at the city’s M&S Bank Arena during Saturday’s grand final (13 May) with the hopes of achieving Eurovision glory.
Loreen wowed the arena and viewers at home with her performance of “Tattoo”, earning a total of 583 votes from the jury and the public.
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/05/13/23/GettyImages-1489883762.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)
Sweden’s Loreen wins Eurovision Song Contest 2023
Loreen is the second ever contestant to win Eurovision twice
Emotional moment Sweden’s Loreen wins Eurovision 2023
Read critic Mark Beaumont’s review of the grand final
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/05/14/00/SEI155842550.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)
Poe himself couldn’t have scripted a better Eurovision final - review
If Liverpool is Britain’s official musical epicentre, it likely never expected aftershocks like this
Eurovision 2023: The weird and wonderful moments from this year’s final
The UK’s first Eurovision in 25 years had drama, tears and even a royal cameo
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/05/13/22/GettyImages-1254634620%20%281%29.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)
The UK’s first Eurovision in 25 years had drama, tears and even a royal cameo
Liverpool hosted an incredible, unpredictable TV event
Eurovision 2023: The most iconic outfits from this year’s grand final
Mae Muller reacts to devastating UK result
You can’t say the UK’s Mae Muller isn’t a good sport - she posted this lovely reaction not long after the final results came in.
“I just want to say thank u x I know i joke a lot but we really put our all into the last few months, not the result we hoped for but so proud of everyone & what we achieved on this journey. Congrats to all the countries, I’ll never forget this journey and I love you all [sic].”
The 6 greatest Eurovision 2023 outfits, from latex vests to glittering ballgowns
Like it or not, Eurovision is as much about the outfits as it is about the music.
This year’s grand final took place at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on Saturday (13 May) with Sweden’s Loreen making Eurovision history as the second ever contestant to win the Song Contest twice, following in the footsteps of Irish singer Johnny Logan who won the song contest in 1980 and 1987.
From a fiery flamenco-indebted performance from Spain to a weird-and-wonderful Edgar Allan Poe-inspired opener from Austria, Eurovision 2023 was not short of memorable moments.
As ever, the outfits played a huge part in winning over audiences... so let us take you through our favourites.
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/05/13/22/GettyImages-1254634641.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)
From latex vests to glittering ballgowns: The 6 greatest Eurovision 2023 outfits
From towering dresses to cult-like robes, Eurovision was not short of show-stopping looks this year
Sweden now boast a record-equalling seven Eurovision wins
Tied with Ireland...
There was drama and plenty of glitter in the 2023 Eurovision final, with Sweden’s champion Loreen dominating the competition and leaving the UK’s Mae Muller in the dust.
This year’s memorable competition took place in Liverpool on Saturday evening (13 May) with 26 countries and their fans descending upon the city’s M&S Bank Arena in the hope of snatching Eurovision glory.
It was anyone’s guess who would take home the trophy, with a strong turnout from many countries including France, Italy, Finland and Norway. Suddenly, the bookies’ frontrunner – Sweden’s Loreen – was no longer looking like such a sure thing.
Annabel Nugent reports:
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/05/13/22/GettyImages-1254634620%20%281%29.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)
The UK’s first Eurovision in 25 years had drama, tears and even a royal cameo
Liverpool hosted an incredible, unpredictable TV event
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments