Eurovision semi final 2 countries and running order as…

Eurovision semi final 2 countries and running order as Sweden, Ireland and more aim for final

After some surprise results on Tuesday night, the semi final action of this year's Eurovision Song Contest continues on Thursday with the second heat.

While favourites to win in the Eurovision odds, Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra made it safely through Eurovision semi final 1 a few days ago, as well as other well fancied acts like Norway's Subwoolfer, there was shock amongst Eurovision fans that show opener Albania failed to make the top 10, as well as much talked about Latvian song Eat Your Salad, which sparked a 'bad language' warning from Rylan Clark, who was hosting semi final coverage for the BBC, alongside Scott Mills.

The UK's Sam Ryder crept back into second place in the betting overnight into Thursday, after his performance at the end of Wednesday night's jury semi blew everyone away. Both experts and fans are now tipping Sam to be firmly in the mix as the results come in during Saturday's Eurovision final. And some of the countries in the line-up for Eurovision semi final 2 are also expected to get plenty of support, particularly Sweden's Cornelia Jakobs with her track Hold Me Closer.

The BBC's Eurovision coverage gets going at 8pm on BBC Three on Thursday, with Rylan and Scott once again at the helm. And the good news for UK devotees of all things Eurovision, is that they can actually vote tonight as countries like Ireland, Malta and Finland, who will be represented by In The Shadows hitmakers The Rasmus, also compete.

Eurovision hosts this year include Grace Kelly star Mika and they will once again be fronting proceedings from Turin's Pala Olimpico arena.