Eurovision

Several countries have demanded Israel be excluded due to its actions in Gaza, threatening to drop out of the competition.

Eurovision Song Contest members will vote on Israel’s participation in the 2026 competition in November.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the event, confirmed the plan on Friday. International demands for Israel to be excluded from the contest due to the country’s actions in Gaza have been growing.

The board of the EBU, an umbrella organisation for public broadcasters that runs the event, has sent a letter to members indicating that the vote will take place at an extraordinary general meeting held online in early November, a spokesperson said.

The vote will be on whether Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster and member of the EBU, will participate, the spokesperson said. An “absolute majority” would be required for an exclusion to pass, he said.

Countries including Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have demanded that the EBU exclude Israel, citing as a precedent its decision to remove Russia from the show following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

During the past two editions of the competition, the event has been drawn into the controversy over Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, which has now killed more than 65,000 people.

Pro-Palestinian activists protested in Malmo, Sweden, in 2024 and in Basel, Switzerland in May over Israel’s participation in the contest.

In September, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

Last week, Spain threatened to boycott the competition – the world’s largest live televised music event that takes place in May – if Israel takes part. Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands have made similar threats.

Germany and Austria have backed Israel’s participation.

Other countries, such as Belgium, Sweden, and Finland, are also considering a boycott and have until December to decide.

Aside from Russia, the EBU previously booted former Yugoslavia from the competition due to UN sanctions over the Balkan wars in the 1990s, and Belarus in 2021 over its crackdown on media freedoms.

Kan, the Israeli broadcaster, wrote on Thursday on social media that it hoped the contest “will continue to uphold its cultural and non-political identity”.

Barred from Eurovision, Russia held its own rival song contest called ‘Intervision’ featuring singers from 23 countries. Moscow presented the event as a showcase of ‘family values’, while Ukraine condemned it as ‘hostile propaganda’.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS says it would not take part in next year’s competition given the ‘severe human suffering in Gaza’.

The Netherlands has announced it will boycott the 2026 Eurovision in Vienna if Israel participates, joining other European countries that have threatened to withdraw from the song contest over Israel’s war on Gaza.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, one of dozens of public broadcasters that collectively fund and broadcast the contest, on Friday said it would not take part in next year’s competition in Vienna if Israel participates, “given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza”.

“The broadcaster also expresses deep concern about the serious erosion of press freedom: the deliberate exclusion of independent international reporting and the many casualties among journalists,” it said in a statement.

Irish broadcaster RTE released a similar statement on Thursday, saying participating would be “unconscionable” as a result of Israel’s war on Gaza. Iceland said it may withdraw from the contest, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for Israel to be booted from the competition.

AVROTROS said it had also taken into account the high number of journalists who have died in Gaza.

The European Broadcasting Union, which runs the contest, said it was consulting its members on how to “manage participation and geopolitical tensions” around the contest and would give them until mid-December to decide if they want to participate.

“We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” said Martin Green, director of Eurovision. “It is up to each member to decide if they want to take part in the contest, and we would respect any decision broadcasters make.”

The organisation said in July it was launching a consultation with all members of the EEBU, which organises the song contest over the issue.

The Dutch broadcaster said it will continue preparing for the contest — which was watched by 166 million people on television this year — until it receives a decision from organisers about whether it will include Israel.

Calls to boycott Israel grow

The boycott threat is part of a campaign by arts organisations and figures to pressure Israel to end its war on Gaza.

Earlier this week, Hollywood stars including Emma Stone, Ayo Edebiri, Ava DuVernay and Olivia Colman joined 3,000 other industry figures in signing a pledge to boycott Israeli film institutions “implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people,” according to the group Film Workers for Palestine.

Russia has been banned from Eurovision since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but Israel has continued to compete in the past two years despite disputes over its participation.

Dozens of former participants, including 2024 winner Nemo of Switzerland, have called for Israel to be excluded over its conduct in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests took place around this year’s contest in Basel, Switzerland, though on a much smaller scale than the 2024 event in Sweden.

Eurovision’s finale is scheduled for May 16 after semifinals on May 12 and 14, 2026.

Austria have now won the Eurovision Song Contest three times after victory in 1966 and 2014. Vienna hosted the event following both victories.

On Saturday, Australian opera singer JJ won the hearts and minds of the European public with the surging, storming song ‘Wasted Love’.

In doing so, he beat Israel’s Yuval Raphael into second place and saved the ESC organisers a huge potential headache of whether or not to host a song contest in a warzone.

Austria have now won the Eurovision Song Contest three times after victory in 1966 and 2014. Vienna hosted the event following both victories. In the coming weeks, conversations will take place with potential host cities across Austria.

While it will come as no surprise that Vienna and Innsbruck have officially put themselves forward to host next year’s final, other, smaller settlements are vying to get in on the act. An Austrian travel colleague (who does admittedly live in Vienna so may be a little biased) tells me that others in the running are “the smallest and most charmless towns” the country has to offer.

While one of the bigger players is likely to be given the nod, it is not out of the question that the Austrian committee award it to one of the outside runners. Indeed, after Ireland won the 1992 finals, they decided to host the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest in Millstreet, a town with a population of 1,500 in West County Cork.

Given Eurovision fans will splash out on pairs of glittery lederhosen and make their way to whichever host city gets the nod, a destination guide to the hopefuls may come in handy.

Oberwart

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It would be a real turn-up for the books if Oberwart’s bid were successful. Located in Burgenland, it is a small town famed for its ethnic Hungarian minority and a population of 8,000 including JJ’s singing teacher. The Mayor of Oberwart, Georg Rosner has put the town forward, despite it lacking the capacity to accommodate the travelling eurofans. What it does have are four main attractions, according to Tripadvisor at least: The Baumwipfelweg Althodis observation deck, the AK-Bücherei Oberwart library, a mini-golf course and a cinema. Also, handily, a large concert venue is due to open later this year.

Graz

While it may not be in pole position, it would not be a total shock if Graz got the nod. Not only is it Austria’s second largest city with 250,000 people, it seems quite charming. Graz used to be known as “Austria’s secret love” and “small town at the river Mur”, due to the quiet, calm pace of life there.

In the heart of the city, there’s Schlossberg mountain, on top of which a fortress used to perch in the 11th century. Looking down from there over the city roofs, you will be able to spy buildings from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Historism and Art Nouveau eras.

Hidden between the buildings are romantic lanes and hidden courtyards of the Italian-style palazzi. It is recommended to walk up and down the Gothic double spiral staircase that forms the backbone of the Burg to appreciate its unique construction. Graz was once a residence city of the Habsburgs, and the royal legacy is apparent through the likes of Eggenberg Palace, which has public museums, gardens and a magnificent park

Wels

“Wels, the jewel in the central region of Upper Austria, is a city grown out of history in the middle of nature,” claims the Upper Austria tourist board. Wels is best known for its conventions, trade fairs and shops. With a population of 60,000 people, it would be similar to Bangor or Margate hosting the ESC if it were to win. Notable landmarks include the Lederer Tower on the picturesque town square; the town hall, the late Gothic parish church with magnificent 14th-century stained-glass windows; and the former imperial castle where the Holy Roman emperor Maximilian I died in 1519.

Just when you thought Eurovision had reached peak absurdity – with its glitter-drenched cliches, outlandish lyrics, and performances that make your local karaoke night look refined – it sank even lower in 2025. This year, Israel not only participated amid its ongoing assault on Gaza and international law, it nearly won.

In the lead-up to the contest, activists across Europe called for Israel’s exclusion. Seventy-two former Eurovision contestants signed an open letter demanding that Israel – and its national broadcaster, KAN – be banned. Protests, petitions, and campaigns swept across the continent, urging the contest to uphold its supposed values of “European unity and culture” rather than spotlight a state accused of systematically starving and bombing a captive population of two million.

But Eurovision did not listen.

Instead, it handed the stage to 24-year-old Yuval Raphael – a survivor of Hamas’s October 7 attack on the Nova Music Festival – who won the public televote in most countries and placed second overall, edged out only because, unlike the public, most professional juries preferred Austria’s entry.

Understandably, Israel’s surprising near-victory triggered a wave of backlash. With populations that have been most vocal in their criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza – such as Ireland – supposedly giving the highest marks to Raphael, widespread accusations of vote-rigging emerged. National broadcasters in Spain and Belgium filed formal complaints with the European Broadcasting Union, demanding an investigation into potential manipulation of the televoting system. Meanwhile, The Intercept’s audio analysis revealed that Eurovision organisers had muted audience booing and chants of “Free Palestine” during Raphael’s live performance.

In the aftermath of this year’s contest, the calls for Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision are louder than ever before. Clearly, for many across Europe who love Eurovision – whether for its camp, spectacle, or nostalgic charm – but who also care about international law and Palestinian lives, Israel’s continued inclusion is a moral failure.

And yet, I believe Israel belongs in Eurovision and should stay in the competition going forward. Here’s why.

For one thing, Israel’s continued participation would reflect the reality of European policy. Despite growing public outrage, many European leaders have been unwavering in their support for Israel throughout its devastating campaign in Gaza. While countries like Spain and the Republic of Ireland have called for a reassessment of the European Union’s relationship with Israel, for most of Europe, it’s been business as usual.

In February 2025, despite mounting pressure from human rights groups, European foreign ministers met with their Israeli counterpart and insisted that “political and economic ties remain strong”. A few months later, seven EU countries issued a joint statement calling for an end to what they described as a “man-made humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.  But without action, these words rang hollow.

Europe is also divided on whether it would honor the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Spain indicated they would comply. The United Kingdom, as usual, hedged, saying only that it would “comply with legal obligations under domestic and international law”. Meanwhile, Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, flatly refused to enforce the warrant. And among Europe’s largest players – France, Germany, and Italy – the response has ranged from evasive to outright dismissive. France claimed Netanyahu enjoys immunity since Israel isn’t an ICC member; Italy said arresting him would be “unfeasible”; and Germany’s newly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz even vowed to find “ways and means” for Netanyahu to visit.

Given how European leaders have shown far more enthusiasm for cracking down on Palestine solidarity activists than holding Israel accountable, it feels only fitting that Israel continues to sing and dance on the ruins of Palestinian lives – hand in hand with its European friends.

But this alliance isn’t just political. Those who are promoting it suggest it’s also cultural, and even “civilisational”.

Many Western intellectuals have long cast Israel as an outpost of European values in a supposedly savage region. After October 7, this narrative was renewed with fresh urgency. French public intellectual Bernard-Henri Levy, while insisting he is a “militant defender of human rights”, framed Israel – apartheid and all – as a moral beacon when compared to the usual “others”: Russians, Turks, Chinese, Persians, and Arabs. Their imperial ambitions, he argued, pose a far greater threat to “civilisation” than Israel’s “policy of colonising the West Bank”. He even praised Israel’s “moral fortitude” and supposed concern for civilian life in Gaza – words that have not aged well after 19 months of pure carnage.

American commentator Josh Hammer’s book, Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West, is even more explicit. For him, Israel is the West’s “agent” in a region plagued by violence and Islamic “terrorism”. Those who support Palestinian rights are, in his words, “anti-American, anti-Western jackals”. UK commentator Douglas Murray echoes the same civilisational framing in the book On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization, calling Israel a bulwark of good in a world of evil.

Israeli leaders have adopted this language, too. Netanyahu declared shortly after October 7 that “Israel is fighting the enemies of civilisation itself”, urging the West to show “moral clarity”. According to this world view, Israel doesn’t just defend itself – it defends the entire Western civilisation.

All this may sound far removed from a song contest. But Eurovision has always been more than sequins and key changes. It’s a projection of “Europeanness” – and “Europe,” as a concept, has always been political. It’s built on a colonial legacy that imagined Europe as enlightened, orderly, and rational – defined in opposition to the supposedly backward, emotional, and irrational non-European “other”.

This legacy justified colonial conquests and the violent suppression of anti-colonial uprisings. Massacres were cast as the price of restoring order; ethnic cleansing, a civilizing mission. Today, that same narrative lives on in how the West frames Israel – as a beleaguered democracy standing bravely against barbarism.

So when people call for Israel to be banned from Eurovision over this year’s vote-rigging allegations, I can’t help but note the irony: that its genocidal campaign in Gaza didn’t cross a red line for Europe – but cheating in a song contest just might.

If Eurovision were to expel Israel now, it would be the harshest penalty the continent has ever imposed on the nation – and it would be not for mass killing, but for meddling with pop music.

And so, yes – I believe Israel should stay in Eurovision.

After all, Europe and Israel deserve each other.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

Belgium has threatened to pull out of next year’s contest unless the current system – which is open to ‘manipulation’ – is changed

Big changes are expected to the Eurovision voting system next year after a string of complaints to organiser the European Broadcasting Union over potential vote-rigging. It comes after Israel finished in second place having won the public vote by a massive margin.

Several countries have now claimed that the current system, in which individuals can vote up to 20 times from one device, is open to “manipulation” and have demanded an investigation.

RTVE, Spain’s public broadcaster, and VRT, the Flemish public broadcasting company, are leading the drive for new rules, backed by Slovenia, Iceland, Portugal, Ireland, the Netherlands and Finland. It comes after Israel and Ukraine each won their semi-final, which are 100% decided by the public televote, with Israel then finishing second overall.

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Israeli contestant Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the 7 October attacks by Hamas, scored a total of 357 points to come runner-up with her song New Day Will Rise.

Belgium was so incensed by the way the votes stacked up, they announced an intention to pull out next year “unless the voting system at the contest changes”.

The nation called for an investigation after Israel received 12 points from the Belgian public despite getting zero from the jury, made up of music industry professionals. It was the same story for Spain and the UK, where the result was met with widespread surprise given the ongoing war in Gaza.

Flemish MP Katia Segers said: “A system in which everyone can cast up to 20 votes is a system that encourages manipulation. Whether this manipulation occurred in our country and all other participating and non-participating countries must be investigated.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for Israel to be excluded from the contest, as Russia has been, saying: “There can be no double standards.”

The EBU’s Martin Green gave assurance that the voting system used was “the most advanced in the world” but added: “We remain in constant contact with all participating broadcasters of the Eurovision Song Contest and take their concerns seriously.”

One UK source said a return to the juries having a 50/50 vote at the semi-final stage, alongside the public, was now a likely outcome, along with a reduction in the number of votes allowed from each device.

“They can’t continue with the fiasco of televoting in its current form,” they said. “The public are voting for political reasons and it makes a mockery of the ESC being a supposed music competition.

“Juries are clearly voting Israel down to try to avoid a politically-motivated win, which undermines the whole contest. It’s a shambles.”

Israel’s participation in this year’s Eurovision provoked an angry backlash, coming after weeks of humanitarian aid being denied in Gaza, leading to thousands of Palestinian deaths. Protestors threw paint and tried to storm the stage during Yuval’s performance in Basel, Switzerland.

An open letter denouncing Israel’s entry and calling for the country to be banned was signed by 4,000 musicians, artist and music industry professionals from five Nordic countries.

UK fans were dismayed after Remember Monday scored the dreaded ‘nul points’ in the public televote and finished in 19th place. Referring to the UK being one of the “big 5” nations which pay for the competition and in return are guaranteed a place in the final, one said: “It’s time to stop funding this total farce.”

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says Israel should be excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest over its war in Gaza. His comments follow protests against Israel’s participation at last weekend’s event in Switzerland, in which Israel finished second behind Austria.

Protesters were assaulted and dragged away for shouting ‘Free Palestine’ and raising the Palestinian flag during Israel’s performance at the Eurovision final. Outside, police attacked demonstrators who said Israel’s violation of international law in Gaza should have ruled them out.

Austria was crowned the winner of Eurovision 2025 as the UK ended up with nul points from the public for the second year in a row

The Eurovision 2025 Grand Final in Basel, Switzerland, concluded tonight with Austria taking the crown in a thrilling finale to the 69th edition of the international song contest.

Representing the UK this year was pop group Remember Monday, who performed their song, What The Hell Just Happened?, on Swiss soil. The trio, consisting of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, captivated the audience with their tune inspired by their friendship and upbringing in Hampshire.

They were the eighth act to take the stage during Saturday’s grand event. The group amassed a total of 88 points, securing them the 19th spot.

However, they faced disappointment as they received zero points in the public vote for the second consecutive year. The UK is part of the Big 5, which also includes France, Germany, Italy and Spain, reports the Liverpool Echo.

This year’s song contest saw 37 countries participate, with 26 making it to the grand final. Alongside the Big 5, this included last year’s victor, Switzerland, and the 20 qualifying semi-finalists.

The UK has graced every Eurovision Grand Final since 1959 and has been crowned champion five times. The winner is decided by a mix of points from national juries and viewer votes in the participating 26 countries, supplemented by a separate rest of the world poll.

Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor is poised to deliver the UK’s national jury votes for Eurovision as Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa withdraws from his role as British spokesperson due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

BBC One slated Graham Norton once more to provide TV coverage for the final at 8pm on Saturday, while Rylan Clark and Scott Mills hosted the affair over on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

The UK has historically struggled in the points department during the public vote, often being left with nul points from country juries. A comprehensive dissection of Remember Monday’s Eurovision figures was part of The ECHO’s coverage, highlighting which nations handed the UK those dreaded nul points.

Take a look at the tally detailing exactly how Remember Monday fared:.

Remember Monday received zero love from Sweden, Azerbaijan, Malta, Netherlands, Slovenia, Armenia, France, Croatia, Latvia, Montenegro, Greece, Serbia, Germany, Belgium, Israel, Albania, Lithuania, and Georgia — all awarding nul points to the UK entry.

A smidgeon of recognition came through with Luxembourg giving six points, San Marino attributing two points, Ukraine offering 10 generous points, and Norway along with Austria each dishing out seven points.

Italy proved to be a fond ally scoring douze points to Remember Monday, while Portugal and Ireland allocated two points each, Denmark opted for four, Poland chipped in with one point, Czechia matched Ukraine with 10 points, Spain tossed in six, Finland threw five points into the mix, and Iceland matched that with another five.

Cyprus – no points.

Estonia – five points.

Switzerland – four points.

The public vote – no points.

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Eurovision kicked off it’s 69th annual contest tonight – and fans think they already know who’s going to be taking home the title just moments after the performances kicked off

The Eurovision Song Contest kicked off it’s 69th annual contest tonight after a dramatic build up with two semi-finals earlier in the week. However, fans think they’ve already ‘worked out’ who will win less than a hour into the four hour live show.

The show kicked off with a high-energy performance from Norway as Kyle Alessandro – Lighter, as Luxembourg’s Laura Thorn kicked off with her ‘trippy’ visuals with her song La Poupée Monte Le Son. Things went up a notch when Estonia’s Tommy Cash performed his fan favourite song – Espresso Macchiato.

Tommy earned his place during the first semi-final, and now fans think he’s going to take it all the way. The rapper and singer had the whole crowd on their feet with his epic dance moves, but some had a moment to pause and take to X, formerly known as Twitter, to hail him the winner already.

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“Espresso Macchiato is the clear winner #eurovision,” said one, while a second agreed: “That’s the winner. #Eurovision”.

A third was also in agreement, commenting: “Espresso macchiato….. There’s your winner!”

Fans will have to wait until the end of the night to see if Tommy really does take home the crowd. However, they won’t have to wait until then to vote, with the lines already open.

Voting opened before anyone kicked off their performance, with fans being able to vote via phone up to 20 times. However, it does cost 15p a vote but fans can save a few pennies by voting online through the app and via www.esc.vote.

After Tommy, Israel’s Yuval Raphael took to the stage, performing her power ballad New Day Will Rise.

After her performance, UK commentator Graham Norton seemingly confirmed the EBU has employed fake applause to drown out any boos during her time on stage.

“Not sure what you’re hearing at home, slightly mixed response here in the hall,” the Irish host commented as Yuval wrapped things up – a nod to the reports Eurovision bosses are meddling with what makes it to TV screens across Europe.

Elsewhere, fans are hopeful for a performance from Celine Dion after her video message during the first semi-final.

Adding fuel to the fire, Graham mentioned the fact the My Heart Will Go On singer is watching backstage but didn’t rule out a little performance from the Eurovision legend.

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PRO-Palestinian demonstrators were seen burning down Israeli flags to protest against a Eurovision performer who survived the brutal October 7 Hamas attacks.

Dozens of Palestinian supporters reached Basel – the host city of this year’s Eurovision contest – to protest against Israel’s participation in the competition.

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Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the brutal October 7 Hamas attacks, is set to perform in the finale tonight.

The 24-year-old managed to survive the massacre at the Nova music festival by hiding under piles of bodies and pretending to be dead.

She represented Israel with the song New Day Will Rise in the competition.

But the celebration of music and unity was ruffled by discord over Israel’s participation.

Hordes of protesters were seen filling up the Eurovision square holding signs which read “boycott Israel apartheid” and “no stage for genocide”.

Israel’s inclusion in the song contest has been the subject of deep controversy following the country’s intense bombardment of Gaza and its blockade of food and humanitarian supplies.

Raphael is considered one of the favourites to win the contest, according to bookmakers – despite the protests and controversies.

With protests expected to mount as the Eurovision final in Switzerland approaches, Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) has put out an advisory to the country’s citizens travelling for the event.

“International events of this type are a prime target for threats and attacks by various terrorist groups,” the council warned.

The NSC, along with Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry, its expected to expand its presence and monitoring activities as the final approaches.

A situation room will operate with two deputies on-site over the weekend to maintain constant communication with Israeli citizens.

Citizens travelling are also required to install the IDF Home Front Command’s emergency alert app to stay alert to any security threats.

Gilad Kariv, chair of Israel’s Knesset Committee on Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs, said: “Every Israeli currently in Switzerland should make sure the Home Front Command app is installed.

“Anti-Israeli activity poses a risk to Israeli supporters and fans in Basel.

“We requested that the Foreign Ministry’s situation room be fully staffed, with social media monitoring and real-time tracking of planned protests.”

EUROVISION legend Conchita Wurst has revealed she secretly underwent a facelift at the age of 36 – and cleverly hides the scars with her signature beard.

The surprise admission came during a special edition of Scott Mills’ Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, broadcast live from Basel, Switzerland, ahead of tonight’s Eurovision Grand Final.

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Host Scott asked guests Graham Norton and Conchita for a never-before-heard exclusive – and both delivered.

Graham teased: “I’ve a good one. This is my left shoulder’s first appearance on radio. Brand new shoulder… It’s less than two weeks old.”

Showing off the fresh scar, he added: “It feels a bit new, it’s a little oweee, but forgive me I’m on many, many pain medications right now so if I say anything bad, it’s not my fault.”

Conchita responded: “Oh lucky you!” before casually dropping her own bombshell.

She announced: “My facelift. First time on radio!”

A surprised Scott asked, “Is that real?” to which Conchita confirmed: “Yeah.”

Graham joked, “That beard covers a lot of scars,” prompting Conchita to quip: “Yeah. I got the Lindsay Lohan treatment.”

Scott praised the results: “It is good,” to which Conchita replied: “Thank you.”

Scott added: “What we do is celebrate – Graham’s got a new left shoulder and Conchita’s got a new face!”

Conchita Wurst is the stage name and persona of Austrian singer Thomas Neuwirth.

When performing as Conchita, she uses she/her pronouns. As Thomas, he uses he/him pronouns.

Thomas was born November 1988 in Gmunden, Austria, making him 29 years old.

He is a recording artist and drag queen and was part of a short-lived boy band called Jetzt Anders! before creating the Conchita persona in 2011.

Is Conchita Wurst married?

Thomas has created a fictional backstory for Conchita, which includes her marriage to a French burlesque dancer called Jacques Patriaque.

Jacques is a real person and is a friend of Thomas.

Conchita’s backstory helps the singer to keep his real-life relationships private.

When did Conchita win Eurovision?

Conchita was selected to represent Austria in September 2013 at the 2014 Contest.

In May 2014, Conchita travelled to Copenhagen in Denmark for the competition and her song Rise Like a Phoenix was one of 1o favourites to win among bookmakers.

On May 10, Conchita won the Eurovision Contest with 290 points.

It was the first time Austria had won the Contest since 1966.

What is the HIV positive blackmail plot about?

On 16 April 2018, Conchita revealed in a post on Instagram that she has been forced to reveal she is HIV positive after being blackmailed by a former boyfriend.

The bearded performer wrote that she had received medical treatment and that she was feeling healthy and strong.

She wrote that “coming out is better than being outed by a third party”.

She added that her reason for going public was “to encourage (others) and make a step against the stigmatisation of people who through their own behaviour or through no fault of their own were infected with HIV.”

What has Conchita said about her beard?

Conchita’s participation in the 2014 Contest led some to nickname her the ‘bearded lady’.

But speaking on The Graham Norton Show at the time, she said of her beard: “It’s my own truth. It makes me comfortable on stage.

“I love myself and the bearded lady is fun and expresses everything I feel.

“Being a teenager in a small Austrian village was not fabulous.”

• Rylan and Scott are providing Eurovision commentary tonight on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds from 8pm, with Graham on BBC One and iPlayer.

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The Eurovision Song Content 2025 is finally here, and fans are flooding into Basel, Switzerland for the latest blockbuster TV extravaganza – and now you and your friends can come up with your own live scoreboard during the show

Eurovision is finally here – and you can play along by rating the performances with our very own interactive scoreboard. Play along with your friends and family to compare your final ranking after a winner has officially been crowned!

After two knock-out semi-finals, 20 qualifiers have been chosen to join the Big Five countries and reigning champions, plus hosts Switzerland on what is set to be a spectacular occasion in Basel.

The running order has now been decided, with Norway’s Kyle Alessandro due to open the show with his entry, Lighter.

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Israel’s Yuval Raphael qualified for the final after a public vote despite continued calls for Israel to be banned amid protests over the war in Gaza. The singer, a survivor of the October 7 Nova music festival massacre, will be the fourth act to take to the stage to perform the ballad New Day Will Rise.

Fans will have to wait until near the end of the evening to see the bookies’ favourite, KAJ of Sweden, who is 23rd in the lineup.

Meanwhile, British hopes rest with the country pop group Remember Monday. Band members Charlotte Steele, Holly-Anne Hull, and Lauren Byrne are sixth in the lineup with their energetic song, What the Hell Just Happened?

After the UK finished 18th last year, and 25th in 2023, Remember Monday will be hoping they can return to the successes of 2022, when Sam Ryder came second.

Now, as you watch the action unfold, you can keep track of your favourite performances by playing along with our interactive widget. Simply rate the artists out of 10 to choose your favourite. Then check back to see how your score tallies with the opinions of other Eurovision fans.

READ MORE: Where UK’s Eurovision entries are now – from fleeing the country to Glastonbury star

Meanwhile, as fans wait for the excitement to start on Saturday, why not take our quiz to test how well you know Europe’s premier song contest?

Can you recall the year Bucks Fizz performed Making Your Mind Up, when Abba met their Waterloo, or even as far back as Sandy Shaw and Puppet on a String? Or perhaps you came late to the Eurovision party and have fond memories of more recent winners Netta, Maneskin, and last year’s champion Nemo?

To help get you in the mood for Eurovision we’ve prepared a quiz testing your knowledge of all the cheesiest Eurovision classics.

All you have to do is guess the year of the song and performer. Use the slider to choose the year. Points are awarded for how close you get to the right answer, with 10 for being spot on, nine for one year out, eight for two, seven for three, and so on until you get to 10 years out.

Eurovision 2025 lineup (in running order)

1. Norway: Kyle Alessandro – Lighter 2. Luxembourg: Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son 3. Estonia: Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato 4. Israel: Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise 5. Lithuania: Katarsis – Tavo Akys 6. Spain: Melody – ESA DIVA 7. Ukraine : Ziferblat – Bird of Pray 8. United Kingdom : Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened? 9. Austria: JJ – Wasted Love 10. Iceland: VÆB – RÓA 11. Latvia: Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi 12. Netherlands: Claude – C’est La Vie 13. Finland: Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME 14. Italy: Lucio Corsi: Volevo Essere Un Duro 15. Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA 16. Germany: Abor & Tynna – Baller 17. Greece : Klavdia – Asteromáta 18. Armenia: PARG – SURVIVOR 19. Switzerland: Zoë Më – Voyage 20. Malta: Miriana Conte – SERVING 21. Portugal: NAPA – Deslocado 22. Denmark: Sissal – Hallucination 23. Sweden: KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu 24. France: Louane – maman 25. San Marino: Gabry Ponte – Tutta L’Italia 26. Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm

READ MORE: Gobsmacked Eurovision viewers convinced they’ve spotted ‘major American singer’ on stage

THE SECRET ingredients to the perfect Eurovision song have been revealed and it might be bad news for the UK’s act. 

As various European countries go head-to-head tonight, a leading betting company has revealed that winning Eurovision songs always have three key traits.

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Sport Betting Online found that the first of the three factors relates to whether the song is written in a minor or a major key; minor keys often sound sadder, where major keys tend to sound happier and more joyful.

80 per cent of the winning songs, including Nemo’s The Code and Loreen’s thrilling Tattoo, are written in a minor key. 

Most winning songs also have an average tempo of 106 beats per minute (BPM), with Maneskin’s Zitte e Broni having 103 BPM and Kalush Orchestra’s Stefania having 105 BPM.

The final factor relates to language, as ten of the last 15 winning songs were written in English.

Despite that advantage, the UK act has the odds stacked against them – according to exclusive information from Sports Betting online.

Remember Monday’s track is written in a major key and has an average BPM rate of 136.

A spokesperson from the betting company said: “Remember Monday’s entry brings a vibrant and relatable energy to Eurovision 2025.

“Their harmonious vocals and genre-blending style align with several successful trends.

“However, the song’s major key and humorous theme might set it apart from the emotionally intense entries that have recently won.

“If audiences are ready for something fun and feel-good, the UK may have a dark horse on its hands.”

Despite the track bucking several winning trends, Remember Monday’s song was well-received when they took to the stage on Thursday.

Fans could be heard cheering throughout the trio’s performance, while singing along to What the Hell Just Happened’s catchy lyrics.

Brits loved the track too, with one writing on social media: “Remember Monday could WIN THIS WHOLE THING. INCREDIBLE. Perfection in the arena!”

UK fans can only hope that its broad appeal – with country aesthetics being on trend and English being the language of most winning songs – will take the trio to a win.

Sports Betting Online also analysed the frontrunners at this year’s singing competition, though, and one group is set to take the contest by storm. 

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Sweden’s Bara Badu Batsu – performed by KAJ – has an average BPM of 106 and is written in the minor key, specifically A Minor. 

The track is sung in Swedish with Finnish phrases, which does buck the trend of winning songs being in English.

However, experts think this may work in the trio’s favour – just a singing in Italian took Maneskin to a win.

Following close behind is Austria’s JJ who will be singing a track entitled Wasted Love. 

This track has 133 BPM, which is much faster than the average winning BPM, but is written in a minor key. 

It is also sung in English, which normally broadens a song’s appeal at the competition. 

The final frontrunner is France’s Louane, whose track was recorded at 88 BPM and is sung in the singer’s native language. 

Her heartbreaking song is entitled Maman – the French word for “mother”.

With all of the data considered, the competition is Sweden’s to lose. 

The contest will kick off on May 13, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland, before ending on May 17.

Last year’s winning artist Nemo will be performing their track – entitled The Code – at the finale.

However, not every country in Europe will be appearing at the competition.

Russia has been banned from competing due to controversies surrounding the invasion of Ukraine.

Other countries, including Bulgaria and Romania, have pulled out due to funding problems.

Israel has confirmed that it will be competing at Eurovision 2025, despite an open letter – signed by several former winners – urging judges to ban the country from the contest.

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Eurovision is just hours away from starting – so test your knowledge on all things Song Contest in our music-tastic quiz

Eurovision is finally here – and you can play along by rating the performances with our interactive widget.

After two knock-out semi-finals, 20 qualifiers have been chosen to join the Big Five countries and reigning champions, plus hosts Switzerland on what is set to be a spectacular occasion in Basel.

The running order has now been decided, with Norway’s Kyle Alessandro due to open the show with his entry, Lighter.

Israel’s Yuval Raphael qualified for the final after a public vote despite continued calls for Israel to be banned amid protests over the war in Gaza. The singer, a survivor of the October 7 Nova music festival massacre, will be the fourth act to take to the stage to perform the ballad New Day Will Rise.

Fans will have to wait until near the end of the evening to see the bookies’ favourite, KAJ of Sweden, who is 23rd in the lineup.

Meanwhile, British hopes rest with the country pop group Remember Monday. Band members Charlotte Steele, Holly-Anne Hull, and Lauren Byrne are sixth in the lineup with their energetic song, What the Hell Just Happened?

After the UK finished 18th last year, and 25th in 2023, Remember Monday will be hoping they can return to the successes of 2022, when Sam Ryder came second.

Now, as you watch the action unfold, you can keep track of your favourite performances by playing along with our interactive widget. Simply rate the artists out of 10 to choose your favourite. Then check back to see how your score tallies with the opinions of other Eurovision fans.

READ MORE: Where UK’s Eurovision entries are now – from fleeing the country to Glastonbury star

Meanwhile, as fans wait for the excitement to start on Saturday, why not take our quiz to test how well you know Europe’s premier song contest?

Can you recall the year Bucks Fizz performed Making Your Mind Up, when Abba met their Waterloo, or even as far back as Sandy Shaw and Puppet on a String? Or perhaps you came late to the Eurovision party and have fond memories of more recent winners Netta, Maneskin, and last year’s champion Nemo?

To help get you in the mood for Eurovision we’ve prepared a quiz testing your knowledge of all the cheesiest Eurovision classics.

All you have to do is guess the year of the song and performer. Use the slider to choose the year. Points are awarded for how close you get to the right answer, with 10 for being spot on, nine for one year out, eight for two, seven for three, and so on until you get to 10 years out.

Eurovision 2025 lineup (in running order)

1. Norway: Kyle Alessandro – Lighter 2. Luxembourg: Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son 3. Estonia: Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato 4. Israel: Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise 5. Lithuania: Katarsis – Tavo Akys 6. Spain: Melody – ESA DIVA 7. Ukraine : Ziferblat – Bird of Pray 8. United Kingdom : Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened? 9. Austria: JJ – Wasted Love 10. Iceland: VÆB – RÓA 11. Latvia: Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi 12. Netherlands: Claude – C’est La Vie 13. Finland: Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME 14. Italy: Lucio Corsi: Volevo Essere Un Duro 15. Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA 16. Germany: Abor & Tynna – Baller 17. Greece : Klavdia – Asteromáta 18. Armenia: PARG – SURVIVOR 19. Switzerland: Zoë Më – Voyage 20. Malta: Miriana Conte – SERVING 21. Portugal: NAPA – Deslocado 22. Denmark: Sissal – Hallucination 23. Sweden: KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu 24. France: Louane – maman 25. San Marino: Gabry Ponte – Tutta L’Italia 26. Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm

READ MORE: Gobsmacked Eurovision viewers convinced they’ve spotted ‘major American singer’ on stage

EUROVISION fever has swept the nation.

And if you’re looking for something to keep yourself entertained before finding out if England can earn something more than “nil points” in the final tonight, we’ve got just the puzzle for you.

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But it’s not easy, as only those with the sharpest eyes can spot all five of the hidden microphones in the chaotic brainteaser, supplied by Best New Bingo Sites.

If you’re struggling, try following these tips.

For the first, look up to the sky to spot the sneaky mic.

England might end up with a disappointing result on Saturday night, but see if you can see the hiding device by the Union Jack.

The second is near another flag, and you’ll be a real génie if you can catch a glimpse.

Crazy dance moves are part and parcel of the song contest, but the guy kicking his leg up might want to be careful, as there’s one of the microphones right next to him.

Talk about hiding in plain sight, but the fourth can be found being used by one of those hoping for victory.

And the final microphone can also be spotted by the same guy in the leopard-print shirt.

Maybe take a look behind him?

If you still can’t figure out where the microphones are, scroll down to find out exactly where they are.

Certain brainteasers and optical illusions, particularly those that involve patterns or sequences, can help strengthen both short-term and long-term memory. 

By working through puzzles on a regular basis, you will actively engage the brain’s memory systems and directly improve your future attempts at visual challenges. 

Many brainteasers, like this one, require challengers thinking outside the box. 

This improves creative problem-solving skills by encouraging the brain to come up with innovative solutions. 

It also translates to real-life situations where you might need to approach challenges in new and inventive ways.

If you’re after another brainteaser to challenge yourself, try this one – as apparently only those with a high IQ are able to find the heart hidden among the spring flowers.

Or you can have a go at figuring out the hidden message in this band’s cover art that has confused fans for years.

Lastly, puzzle fanatics have been left scratching their heads trying to find the lost feather in just 12 seconds.

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VOTING in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 can be accomplished via a variety of handy methods.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to support your favourite acts in the Grand Final on Saturday My 17, as well as when the results will be revealed.

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Eurovision 2025 is well underway, with the song contest returning to Switzerland, where the very first of its competitions was held way back in 1956.

The first semi-final of Eurovison 2025 took place on Tuesday, May 13, and the second was held on Thursday, May 15.

Eurovision’s showpiece, the Grand Final, follows on Saturday, May 17.

Voting rules

There are some important rules to keep in mind when voting in Eurovision 2025:

• You cannot vote for your own country’s entry
• Each person is allowed to vote up to 20 times, but only once per act per voting method
• Voting is open to viewers in all participating countries, as well as the “Rest of the World” — i.e. non-participating countries
• In the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, all participating countries are eligible to vote, not only those competing in the final itself
• Votes from the Rest of the World are aggregated and count as one additional set of points.

Voting windows

For the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final on Saturday, 17 May 2025, voting opens just before the first song is performed and stays open until about 40 minutes after the last song finishes.

If you are voting from the Rest of the World, online voting opens at midnight on the day of the final and closes when the live show begins.

During the Grand Final, voting for the Rest of the World also opens just before the first song is performed, and will again remain open until approximately 40 minutes after the last song has been sung.

How to vote

Voting in Eurovision 2025 involves two main methods.

You can vote for your favourite acts by telephone, using either a landline or a mobile phone.

Another popular method is through the official Eurovision app, which is available on iOS, Android and Windows devices.

In some countries voting by SMS is also possible, but not in the UK.

In countries where voting my SMS is possible, the appropriate numbers will be displayed on-screen by each participating broadcaster, as well as on the official voting website — esc.vote, which also features a countdown to the next Eurovision broadcast.

Phone

To vote by phone, the relevant numbers will appear on-screen.

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Use the long (11-digit) number for your chosen country if calling from a landline, or the short (7-digit) number if using a mobile phone.

Note that shortcodes may not work in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.

App

Alternatively, you can use the official Eurovision app to cast your vote.

Simply download it from your device’s app store, then during the show, follow the prompts to cast your vote for your favourite acts.

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App users will receive a special thank-you message from their chosen performers, adding a nice personal touch to the experience.

Results revealed

As for when the results will be revealed, after voting closes (which is about 40 minutes after the final performance), the results are announced in two main stages.

First, each participating country’s jury points are announced by a national spokesperson.

These points range from one to eight, then 10, and finally 12 points awarded to their top ten acts.

After the jury points are revealed, the combined public televote from each country and the Rest of the World is announced.

This televote dramatically adds to each act’s total score. The winner is the act that achieves the highest combined total of jury and public points.

The results are usually revealed between 11.15pm and midnight, following the conclusion of voting and the interval acts.

Katie Price has reflected on having competed in Making Your Mind Up to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005, with her runner-up to Javine Hylton at the time

Former Eurovision Song Contest hopeful Katie Price has reflected on competing to represent the UK amid the 20th anniversary of her performance. The reality TV star was runner-up in the Making Your Mind Up selection contest.

Katie, now 46, was among the five finalists on the BBC show in 2005, which was used to decide who would represent the UK at Eurovision in Ukraine that year. She ended up placing second behind Javine Hylton, who went on to perform her song Touch My Fire in the international competition.

Podcast host Katie, who was pregnant with her son Junior Andre at the time, competed in Making Your Mind Up with the song Not Just Anybody. Her performance is said to have earned her a combined score of 101 points, which wasn’t enough to beat Javine, who had instead amassed 116 points.

She’s reflected on the experience ahead of watching the final of this year’s Eurovision in Switzerland on Saturday. She spoke about the contest on the latest episode of her podcast, the Katie Price Show, which was released today.

Katie told her sister Sophie Price: “For years and years, I always remember us always watching Eurovision and then I was up to do it.” She added that she will livestream herself watching the final with her partner JJ Slater and some pals.

Katie added: “I can’t wait for the Eurovision. I haven’t got any memories of Eurovision apart from when I was gonna represent the UK [in 2005] and they weren’t good memories.”

Sophie then asked her: “What was your song?” Singing part of the song that she had competed with, Katie replied: “I’m not just anybody …” Her sister reacted: “Oh god, that song!”

Katie continued by saying that although she “can sing,” she “couldn’t” sing Not Just Anybody back then or now. She said: “The thing is I couldn’t even sing the song then and I couldn’t sing it now, yet I can sing. But I still can’t sing that song.

“I hated it! The whole b***s*** about ‘oh you’re gonna get a Sony album but you have to do this song’ and then they found out I was pregnant and then I lost by one per cent.”

Katie went on to share that she “regrets” taking part in Making Your Mind Up two decades ago. She said on the newly-released episode: “It’s just all political stuff, as usual – but anyway, that’s always a regret of mine doing that.”

The I’m A Celebrity winner added in the discussion about the contest: “If there’s any regret of any job, it was me doing Eurovision in the pink rubber catsuit being seven months pregnant. Trying to hide the fact that I was pregnant.”

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 final will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8pm on Saturday night. The Katie Price Show is available on podcast platforms.

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