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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Your support makes all the difference.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:
Eurovision 2024 favourites: Our Top 10, from Croatia’s Baby Lasagna to Ireland’s Bambie Thug
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
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
In pictures: Bambie Thug performs ‘Doomsday Blues’ in the Eurovision final
Who is Bambie Thug? The Irish ‘goth gremlin’ leaving Eurovision fans ‘speechless’
Who is Bambie Thug? The Irish ‘goth gremlin’ leaving Eurovision fans ‘speechless’
Cork-born singer is the first Irish delegate to make it through to the Eurovision final since 2018, with fans hailing their dramatic staging and impressive vocal performance
Thoughts on Estonia’s performance
I mean... what do you even say. Absolutely batshit, the best kind of Eurovision performance in my view. Because it’s batshit, yes, but it’s brilliant as well. I particularly enjoyed their weird dance battle with musical instruments. Spectacular.
Graham Norton being praised for ‘honesty’ as some fans claim they couldn’t hear the booing he mentioned during Israel’s performance (I definitely could and I’m watching the BBC broadcast.
Thoughts on Spain’s performance!
Nebulossa is a great favourite and it’s easy to see why, you can’t help but adore them. The Spanish electropop duo are singer Maria Bas and keyboardist / producer Mark Dasousa. And their song “ZORRA” is a proper Europop banger that has the crowd really up and cheering for the first time since the event got underway.
Israel’s Eden Golan performs with audible booing heard in the audience
The most controversial performance, undoubtedly, was always going to be Israel’s Eden Golan. You can hear the jeering and booing in the live crowd.
Golan is singing “Hurricane”, which became Israel’s entry after they were told to change original song “October Rain”, widely interpreted as a reference to the 7 October attacks by Hamas.
Who is Eden Golan? Israel’s Eurovision contestant singing in the final
Twenty-year-old singer was voted through the second semi-final and will compete in the final in Malmo, Sweden
Eurovision 2024 final plunged into further chaos after French singer’s speech
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest has had chaotic start amid widespread protests about Israel’s participation in the competition.
A thousands-strong pro-Palestinian protest has broken out in the host country of Sweden, arguing that Israel should not be allowed to compete amid the country’s ongoing war on Gaza.
France’s entrant Slimane Nebch took the opportunity to call for peace during their rehearsal, telling the audience: “United by music, yes, but for love, for peace.”
Two jurors have also given up their power in the competition, with Finland’s Käärijä saying that it “doesn’t feel right” to give out points in the 2024 competition.
Full story:
Eurovision 2024 final plunged into further chaos after French singer’s speech
It is set to be a competition like no other amid Isreal’s controversial participation