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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent

Irish TV to air Father Ted instead of Eurovision final in protest against Israel’s inclusion

Two men in shiny plastic suits hold microphones on stage with an orange backdrop.
Dougal and Ted perform My Lovely Horse in the 1996 Father Ted satirical Eurovision episode to be broadcast by RTÉ in lieu of this year’s Eurovision final. Photograph: Channel 4

It is considered one of the funniest episodes of a beloved sitcom, but the Father Ted storyline about Eurovision has been dragged into the row over Israel’s participation in this week’s song contest.

Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, which is boycotting the competition in protest against Israel’s inclusion, will instead broadcast the 1996 episode A Song for Europe, in which the characters Father Ted and Father Dougal perform their song My Lovely Horse and earn nul points.

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