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.
Follow live updates below:
Oh dear!
Switzerland Eurovision winner Nemo smashes trophy during victory celebrations.... watch what happened below:
‘Life is forever changed'
Bambie Thug thanked fans for their support saying their life is “forever changed” after this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The singer, 31, clinched a sixth place finish in Ireland’s first grand final of the music event since 2018.
In a video on their Instagram stories, recorded with a filter projecting the Palestinian flag on one cheek, they said: “Just a quick message to say thank you guys for all of your support throughout this process.
“It has been both beautiful, incredibly challenging and eye-opening into the world of this contest and I’m so unbelievably proud of Nemo and of all my friends
“I love you beyond and my life is forever changed and it’s because of your love and support, and yeah slay, lots of love.”
And it’s a winner...
Last year’s coverage of The Eurovision Song Contest on the BBC picked up the award for live event coverage at tonight’s Baftas.
Graham Norton was on cue again this year, but it’ll be another year until we find out if it can win again!
‘Peace, love’ and politics: The statements and outbursts on politically-charged Eurovision Song Contest
Find out how different acts addressed one of the most controversial Eurovision contests in recent history.
‘Peace, love’ and politics: List of outbursts from a politically charged Eurovision
There were some big and subtle statements throughout the show
Why was Joost Klein disqualified from Eurovision?
Netherlands has shed more light on the “incident” that led to Eurovision’s disqualification of Dutch delegate Joost Klein.
Klein was barred from being able to perform at the event hours before it was scheduled to take place as police investigated a complaint of inappropriate behaviour made by a female member of the production crew.
AVROTROS, who organises Netherlands’ entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, was unimpressed by the “disproportionate” decision.
More here
Netherlands reveals why Joost Klein was disqualified from Eurovision
’The penalty was very heavy and disproportionate,’ contest’s Dutch organisers said
The 5 most bizarre moments from Eurovision 2024
From an almost-naked performance from Finland, a bizarre clip of a group of underwhelmed Brighton residents and a repetitive ‘Gilmore Girls’ gag, we break down the most bizarre moments.
The 5 most bizarre moments from Eurovision 2024
From an almost-naked performance from Finland, a bizarre clip of a group of underwhelmed Brighton residents and a repetitive ‘Gilmore Girls’ gag, we break down the most bizarre moments
Eurovision winner breaks trophy
Eurovision Song Contest winner Nemo Mettler appeared to break their trophy following victory in Malmo on Saturday (11 May).
Ironically, the incident occurred seconds after UK commentator Graham Norton warned, “Don’t break the trophy”.
Nemo triumphantly shook the trophy in their left hand for the audience, before placing it on the floor.
As the focus returned to Nemo, the broadcast camera caught a broken stem left behind.
Bambie Thug criticises Eurovision organisers
Bambie Thug has accused Eurovision organisers of “not supporting”them over a row with Israel.
The singer, who secured a sixth place finish in Ireland’s first grand final of the music event since 2018, accused the Israeli broadcaster, Kan, of a rule break and said they have been waiting to hear back from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about what action would be taken.
More here
Bambie Thug cries as they claim Eurovision bosses ‘not supportive’ in Israel row
Bambie Thug has accused Eurovision organisers of “not supporting them” over a row with Israel. The “ouji pop” star, who secured a sixth place finish in Ireland’s first grand final of the music event since 2018, accused the Israeli broadcaster, Kan, of a rule break and said they have been waiting to hear back from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about what action would be taken. Bambie, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, told journalists in the press centre on Saturday (11 May): “Kan the broadcaster incited violence against me twice, three times. We brought it up to the EBU. They said they follow up. “They waited to the last minute, we still haven’t gotten statement back to us, allowed us to be scapegoats, allowed us to be the spokesperson for standing up for ourselves. “And yeah, the broadcaster has disobeyed the rules and I hope next year they won’t be able to compete because of that.” The Independent has contacted both Kan and the EBU for comment following Bambie’s claims.
Our verdict on this year’s Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision 2024 unfolded under the darkest shadow in its history, withe the atmopsher backstage said to have been on a knife-edge.
Yet, despite gaping fractures in its façade of international musical unity, the show went on – and you can find music editor Roisin O’Connor’s verdict on the contest below.
Eurovision 2024 unfolded under the darkest shadow in its history -review
After banning Russia, Eurovision organisers painted the song contest and its ‘anti-political’ ethos into a corner
Eurovision winner addresses non-binary flag controversy
Switzerland act Nemo was crowned this year’s Eurovision winner after what has been the most controversial contest in its history.
In a press conference after the event, Nemo was asked about organisers making audience members throw away the non-binary flag before entering the arena.
“That is unbelievable. I had to smuggle my flag in because Eurovision said no, but I did it anyway, so I hope some people did that too. But, I mean, come on, this is clearly a double standard. I broke the trophy. The trophy can be fixed – maybe Eurovision needs fixing a little bit too every now and then.”
Eurovision winner Nemo hits out at organisers over ‘unbelievable double standard’
’Maybe Eurovision needs fixing,’ singer said moments after winning