Switzerland soared to victory at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest Final in Sweden on Saturday night, following a chaotic build-up.
This year’s competition has been mired in controversy surrounding the participation of Israel’s Eden Golan, and a large group of demonstrators protested outside Malmo Arena as the acts performed.
Earlier on Saturday, the Netherlands’ entry Joost Klein was disqualified by Eurovision organisers following an incident between the singer and a camerawoman.
Here are some of the key moments from the night...
Israel’s Eden Golan takes to the stage amid boos and cheers
Israel’s entry Eden Golan appeared unfazed by the protests surrounding Israel’s participation as she took to the stage to belt out her song Hurricane.
Booing and chanting could be heard from the crowd, along with cheers.
Graham Norton, who hosts the BBC’s Eurovision coverage, said it was a "mixed reaction".
“In some of the open rehearsals we heard more booing, but there was quite a lot of cheering tonight as well,” he said.
The Eurovision jury spokesperson for Israel was also booed, as was the Eurovision Song Contest’s executive supervisor Martin Osterdahl.
Competitors call for ‘peace and love’
Several contestants appeared to reference conflicts throughout the world, as they used their stage time to deliver messages.
Lithuania’s Silvester Belt told the audience to “spread love to the world”, while Ireland’s Bambie Thug declared “love will always triumph hate”.
Portugal’s Iolanda told the crowd: “Peace will prevail.” France’s Slimane ended his song Mon Amour by saying people should be “united by music for love and peace”.
Joanna Lumley announces UK’s vote
Actress Dame Joanna Lumley appeared live on screen holding a glass of Champagne to give the UK’s jury vote.
“Good evening Petra. God kvall, Malmo, Bonsoir, Europe. I am Joanna Lumley and this is the United Kingdom calling,” she said.
“It was a great honour for the UK to host the Eurovision in Liverpool last year on behalf of Ukraine, but nobody does it better than you Sweden.
“So cheers Swedies - thanks a lot, you are absolutely fabulous” she said, echoing her Absolutely Fabulous character Patsy.”
The UK jury gave 12 points to Portugal, 10 to Switzerland, and seven to Ireland.
Fans complain of sound issues as UK’s Olly Alexander performs
Some viewers said they struggled to hear UK contestant Olly Alexander as he took to the stage to perform his song Dizzy.
The stage was set to resemble an upside-down dressing room, while cameras rotated to create a spinning feel, and he performed alongside shirtless backing dancers.
“The actual song is good; however it did sound like the volume on Olly’s vocal had been turned down,” one viewer wrote on X, as others agreed.
“Why does Olly Alexander sound so muffled?” wrote another.
The UK scored zero in the public vote.
Greta Thunberg among protesters removed by police
Climate activist Greta Thunberg was among protesters who were taken away by police following protests outside the Malmo Arena on Saturday.
Fans dismayed by Abba no-show
This year marks 50 years since Abba’s historic Eurovision win. With the competition taking place in the band’s home of Sweden, and amid hints dropped by the show’s hosts, hopes of a surprise performance by the band were running high.
But they were sadly dashed this evening.
Instead, the show included a clip of the Abba holograms, from the band’s Abba Voyage show in London, performing their winning track from 1974, Waterloo. Meanwhile former Eurovision stars including Conchita appeared on-stage in Malmo to belt out the hit.
Viewers vented their disappointment on X. One wrote: “I really thought I was going to see ABBA.” Another wrote: “The ABBA no show at #Eurovision is the biggest pop culture let down since bad Star Wars films.”
Ireland’s Bambie Thug performs after missing dress rehearsal
Irish contestant Bambie Thug performed their song Doomsday Blue, dressed in a black feather-clad costume replete with devil-esque horns, which Graham Norton described as like that of a “pagan witch”.
“Love will always triumph hate,” they shouted to the crowd once their song was over.
There were concerns Bambie Thug may not appear, after they missed Saturday’s dress rehearsal, as they accused the Israeli broadcaster, Kan, of a rule break.The singer has previously hit out at Israel competing in the contest, and been outspoken about their pro-Palestine views before becoming the first Irish qualifier since 2018.
In an Instagram story earlier on Saturday, they said: “I have raised multiple complaints to the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) regarding instances I have experienced this week.
“Earlier today they confirmed to my delegation in front of others that Kan’s commentator had broken the rules of conduct during the Eurovision semi-final.
“I have been patiently waiting to hear what action is set to be taken by the EBU following this rule break. I have since seen a statement by EBU director general Noel Curran which contradicts this earlier confirmation.
“I am still waiting for an official update from the EBU.”
In response, a spokesperson for the Israeli broadcaster Kan said: “We wish everyone the best of luck tonight.”
Eurovision organisers said: “[Bambie Thug] missed the dress rehearsal due to a situation that is currently being discussed with the EBU and song contest organisers.
“We hope that this will be resolved shortly and Bambie Thug will appear in the Grand Final show as planned.”
French entry goes a cappella
France’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest belted out an impressive, operatic a cappella part of his song, before ending his performance by saying “united by music for love and peace”.During the dress rehearsals on Saturday, French contestant Slimane stopped singing his song Mon Amour to call for peace amid the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Graham Norton described the a cappella section of his song as “so impressive”, adding: “Aboslute standstill moment in the arena. You could hear a pin drop.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters shout at fans arriving at venue
Pro-Palestinian protesters shouted at fans as they headed into the Eurovision final at Malmo Arena on Saturday evening.
Demonstrators shouted "free Palestine" and "shame". Several protesters were forcibly detained and taken away by police.
Dutch entry disqualified following backstage ‘incident’
Dutch Eurovision entry Joost Klein, 26, was disqualified from the grand final while Swedish police investigate a complaint of inappropriate behaviour, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said.
A statement from the EBU said: “The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
“Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final.”
Finnish jury spokesperson steps down
On Saturday evening, the spokesperson for Eurovision Song Contest’s Finnish jury revealed he had stepped down from the role, as announcing the points “does not feel right”.
Posting on his Instagram story, Kaarija, last year’s runner-up of the competition, wrote: “I have decided not to participate as the spokesperson for the Finnish jury in tonight’s Eurovision finale.
“Giving out the points does not feel right.”
Switzerland’s Nemo emotional as they are named winner
Dressed in a pink skirt and fluffy jumper, Nemo was in tears as they accepted their trophy on the Malmo Arena stage.
“I want to say thank you so much – I hope this contest can live up to its promise and continue to stand for peace and dignity for every person in this world,” they said.
The 24-year-old won the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with song The Code, which scored 591 poits.
Croatia finished in second place with 547 points, while Ukraine came in third place with scored 453 points.
UK comes in 18th placeThe United Kingdom’s Olly Alexander finished in 18th place with 46 points after he was awarded zero in the public vote.
He and his team reacted jovially as the UK was the only country to not score from the audience tally, after his performance of song Dizzy at Malmo Arena on Saturday night.
However he had 46 points from the other country’s judges which landed him above seven other nations.
