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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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 viewing figures plummet
Those who planned to boycott this year’s Eurovision clearly made good of their promise, with overnight ratings revealing a substantial drop from 2023’s figures, which was the most-watched Eurovision since viewing records began.
Read more here
Eurovision viewing figures plummet after series of issues
It was a substantial drop from 2023’s record-breaking ratings
Olly Alexander’s father is surprised by the response to son’s performance
Olly Alexander’s father has expressed surprise over his son receiving zero points in the Eurovision public vote.
David Thornton described his son’s participation as a “fantastic learning experience”, calling it “one more step to wherever he’s going”.
However, he said he thought people would “connect” more with Alexander’s performance of the song “Dizzy”, which he said he “enjoyed”.
“To me, it’s a real surprise the public didn’t sort of connect with that song, though the juries gave it a really good score,” Thornton said.
Alexander finished in 18th place out of 25.
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
‘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
UK’s Olly Alexander receives mixed reaction to Eurovision performance
Olly Alexander received a mixed reaction to his racy Eurovision Song Contest performance.
The British singer, 33, performed his song “Dizzy” alongside a group of backing dancers – his first release under his own name.
The Brit was supported in the UK by narrator Graham Norton, who described the performance as “terrific”, but admitted that he did not know how well it would do because “it is so different to everything else in the contest tonight.”
More here
UK’s Olly Alexander receives mixed reaction to Eurovision performance
‘Olly Alexander, sounds just like me in the shower’ wrote one viewer
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.
Switzerland Eurovision winner Nemo smashes trophy during victory celebrations
Switzerland 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. The non-binary singer from Switzerland has since discussed the ‘intense’ nature of the competition, amid chaotic scenes and protests outside the stadium in Malmo, Sweden.
Bambie Thug levies accusation against 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
Olly Alexander takes low score in his stride
This is the moment the UK’s Eurovision entry Olly Alexander found out the public had awarded him null points.
The 33-year-old represented the UK with his track Dizzy, and while votes from the jury appeared positive on Saturday night (11 May), the singer sadly received no points from the public.
The Years And Years singer and his team seemed to take the news in their stride as they were pictured laughing and cheering after the news was announced.
The UK finished with a low score of 46.