Sam Ryder WOWS fans as Ukraine pleads for peace

More good news for UK

Malta have given the UK another 8.

Ukraine has given us 12.

Big news!

Sam Ryder off to a good start

Sam Ryder has been given four points for his track Space Man.

He also garnered 8 points from San Marino.

North Macedonia have scored us 8.

The lines are now closed

The results will be counted as of now.

Who will be the winner of this year’s contest?

Presenter Mika returns with Medley

He’s not great at presenting, but he certainly knows how to pefrom on stage.

He was strutting on top of a piano covered in lights – wearing a white suit adorned with bright flower pattern.

Lebanese-born British singer-songwriter Mika performs during an interlude at the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2022Credit: AFP

Sam Ryder delivers upbeat performance of Space Man

The UK’s Eurovision hopeful, Sam Ryder, has taken to the stage with an upbeat performance of his uplifting pop song Space Man.

The 32-year-old Tik Tok star is one of 25 acts vying for the top prize during the climax of the week-long contest in Turin, Italy.

He took to the stage in a dazzling one piece encrusted with planets, moons and stars made of beads and pearls.

Ryder was the 22nd act to perform, playing a guitar mid-show in front of a crowd of 7,000 fans at the Pala Olympica arena who sang along.

Concluding his set, the singer said: “Shine brightly my friends. Thank you all.”

Graham Norton, who is once again anchoring the contest on BBC One, said: “What a powerhouse performance. You can’t ask for much more than that.

“There is a sea of Union Jack flags.”

Måneskin are back with Supermodel

Yes, last year’s winners are back with a new hit.

Italy’s Måneskin are performing Supermodel – anew disco tinged rock ditty suny in English language.

The crowd are loving it – but what happened to Zitti E Buoni?

Shortly they’ll be giving us a taste of a song they’ve written for Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis biopic.

Maneskin performs during an interlude at the final of the Eurovision Song contestCredit: AFP

Serbia’s bid for weirdest song of the night – but it has a powerful message

Lots of handwashing in Serbia’s entry tonight.

Konstrakta mentions Meghan Markle in the song.

But the lyrics to ‘In corpore sano’ have a deeper meaning about the state of the healthcare system in Serbia. 

Konstrakta from Serbia singing her politically charged In Corpore SanoCredit: AP

Poland’s entry sounds like Rag’N’Bone Man

Poland’s entry is really impressive, with a mix of trip hop beats and powerful baritone and fal,setto vocals.

Ochman’s powerful ballad Rivver was flanked by lighting effects and ghostly dancers

It sounds somewhat like British chart topper Rag’N’Bone Man.

Singer Ochman performs on behalf of Poland during the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2022Credit: AFP

Sam Ryder gives performance of his life

Our hopeful Sam Ryder has just rocked the stage.

The corwd absolutely loved his hit Space Man.

His epic power-ballad resonated with the crowd as they whooped and cheered for him.

Could it be Sam’s night tonight?

Singer Sam Ryder performs at the Pala Alpitour venue in TurinCredit: AFP

Sam Ryder about to take to the stage

Could it be ourt first win this century?

C’mon Sam – let’s go!

Australia’s emotional performance

Sheldon Riley who first found fame on The Voice Australia ha sjust deluvered a powerful, tearful performance.

Giant steps? A 40 kilo white outfit made of ostrich feathers? A Swarowski crystal mask and hand jewels?

It can only be Eurovision.

Kalush Orchestra makes plea for city of Mariupol

Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra on Saturday made a plea for the city of Mariupol and its Azovstal plant at the end of their appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest.

“Please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Azovstal right now,” lead singer Oleh Psiuk shouted from the front of the stage in the Italian city of Turin after the band performed its song “Stefania”.

Russian forces have been constantly bombarding the steelworks in the southern port of Mariupol, the last bastion of hundreds of Ukrainian defenders in a city almost completely controlled by Russia after more than two months of a siege.

Kalush Orchestra are tipped to win the annual song contest, watched by an international television audience expected to approach 200 million, helped by a wave of public sympathy after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

In a video address released before the event, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he believed the Kalush Orchestra would win.

“Europe, vote for Kalush Orchestra, (song) No 12! Let’s support our fellow countrymen! Let’s support Ukraine!” he said, clenching his fist.

Moldova bring the folk rap

You thohght Ukraine brought an infusion of folk and rap?

Think again – Moldova have take it to the next level.

Featuring actual accordion players and the rather irrrestible rap “hey ho, let’s go”.

Still, people seemed to love it!

Fans love Ukraine’s entry

There have been many plaudits for Ukraine’s powerful song this evening.

The folk-dance band stirred up a lot of plaudits on Twitter.

One wrote: “Ukraine should win Eurovision ngl!”

Ukraine delivers powerful message during grand final

Folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra performed an impressive rendition of their song Stefania in the grand final of Eurovision.

The Ukrainian act is the favourite to win currently, having been frontrunners since Russia’s invasion – which prompted organisers to ban the country from competing.

The group was dressed in elaborate outfits, including long multi-coloured fringed ensembles, a pink bucket hat and others in traditional patterns.

They are one of 25 acts vying for the top prize following the week-long contest in Turin, Italy.

Their performance, which combined rap and Ukrainian folklore, went down well with the audience of 7,000 in the Pala Olimpico, who cheered the group on with many waving Ukrainian flags.

At the end of the performance, which included break-dancing, the group thanked everyone for supporting Ukraine.

Azerbaihjan brings steunning mega-ballad

Nadir Rustamli is performing Fade To Black for Azerbaihjan.

He’s singing about his former self in a damning, personal balad taht conencts with the soul.

The powerful mega-ballad features the first big steps of the evening.

Our first Big Steps of the evening, and a powerful mega-ballad

Eurovision audience sing along in unison at Italy’s performance

The audience at the grand final of the Eurovision song contest sang along with Italy’s entrant Mahmood and Blanco, who gave an emotional performance singing Brividi.

Graham Norton, who is once again anchoring the contest on BBC One, said: “Wow that is stunning.

“The whole Pala Olimpico was singing along with every word, I cannot overstate what a hit the song is.”

Reigning Eurovision Song Contest champion Italian rock band Maneskin will be taking to the stage to perform their new single Supermodel.

Germany’s song pretty forgetable

Germany has taken to the stage with Malik Harris playing Rockstars.

It’s cheesy, watery Eminem style rap just didn’t help the wishy washy nature of the track.

Ukraine’s song has played

What did you think of the song from Kalusha Orchestra?

10 songs in!

Wow! 10 songs in!

Graham is right though – we’re not even halfway and it’s all starting to blur into one.

But Spain’s Latin-inspired r’nb track Slo-Mo, by Chanel, woujldn;t be out of place in the Billboard charts.

Nice nunber! And the crowd are roaring!

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Italian sensations Mahmood and Blanco step on to stage

Mahmood and Blanco are fpying the flag for the home nation.

Brividi’ is already a huge hit in several European countries already and has been at number one in Italy for 10 weeks. 

The rehearsals did not have the best vocals – and nor does the main performance.

Disappointing stuff!

Cryptic scheduing reason means Sam COULD win

Sam will be the 22nd artist to take to the stage as part of the competition, nestled in between Australia’s Sheldon Riley, who is performing Not The Same, and Poland’s Ochman with River.

Czech Republic will open the night, while Estonia will be the final country to be represented.

Already things are looking good, with last year’s winner Maneskin coming out on top after getting number 24 in the draw, however, it goes a little deeper than that.

Going further back, the UK’s last winning entry Katrina and the Waves – who stormed to victory with Love Shine A Light in 1997 – came out on top as the 24th performer on the night.

Give That Wolf a Banana?

First prize for the weirdest song of the night goes to Subwoolfer – Give That Wolf A Banana.

But hurry up and give that wolf a nana before he east his Grandmother.

We heard the word “yum” 90 times then. Wow!

France hit the stage

Alvan & Ahez are perofmring their hit Fulenn.

It starts a little unmemorable in comparsion to some of the bangers.

But then it whips out a synth bassline.

Vocals are well out of tune though.