Eurovision: Graham Norton’s best jokes from the 2021 grand final

Norton hosted the BBC’s coverage as final took place in Rotterdam

Laughs were all but guaranteed at last night’s (22 May) Eurovision Song Contest with Graham Norton returning as the UK’s host.

This year’s competition took place tonight in Rotterdam, Netherlands (22 May). Viewers in the UK were able to tune into the live broadcast on BBC One from 8pm.

Norton served as commentator for BBC’s coverage, and with a reputation for cutting comments and quick-witted quips, there were always sure to be some meme-worthy remarks made.

Meanwhile, Chelcee Grimes, Sara Cox and Scott Mills presented from London.

Here’s a list of Norton’s best gags from the evening.

• “That is Flo Rida, the multi-billion selling rapper. I don’t know why he’s here.”
• “Now this is the annoying bit, where I speak English over someone else speaking English but our voting procedure is a little different.”
• Speaking about Cyprus’s opening performance titled “El Diablo”: “I love it. The Orthodox church of Cyprus are less keen.”
• Speaking about Israel’s performance by Eden Alene, Norton quipped: “By the way, if you do have a lockdown puppy and you’re trying to train it, I should warn you that she is going to attempt the highest note ever performed at Eurovision”, and post-performance, remarked: “My nose is bleeding so I think she achieved it.”
• Referencing Serbian delegates, Hurricane, Norton joked about the trio’s performance: “Less Destiny’s Child. More Destiny’s Inappropriate Aunt.”
• The presenter had some strong words to say about Germany’s performance: “This is Marmite if everyone hated Marmite.”
• “Maybe it’ll grow on me like mould on a bathroom ceiling...”
• Speaking about the “dancing hand” in Germany’s bizarre performance, Norton said the giant styrofoam costume would likely end up in a car-park, lying in a puddle after the event.
• In the voting process, Norton joked about the “hooves” of Poland’s representative who wore a zebra print turtleneck complete with full-length gloves.
• “Albania: home of the bush and the statue,” said Norton about the backdrop behind the country’s representative during the vote.
• Joking about the UK and the other countries who have not yet received any votes, Norton quipped: “We’re in company, not good company, but we’re in it.”
• “Oh my goodness,” Norton remarked upon seeing Amanda Holden’s elaborate and incredibly feathery outfit.
• “Someone dressed up,” is the classic Norton line when seeing someone on camera dressed especially fancy. However, the comment took on a sarcastic meaning when the TV host made it about Georgia’s voting rep, who was dressed very casually in a t-shirt.
• Lithuania’s voting representative earned an “Oh my goodness” from Norton, thanks to his sky-high hair-do.
• “Is that Paris? It could be Paris...” deadpanned Norton upon seeing the Eiffel Tower clearly visible in France’s background.