UK’s Eurovision 2024 entry Olly Alexander has received 0 points in the public vote after his performance of Dizzy.
It’s been a tense night in Malmo, but it wasn’t meant to be for the UK this evening as the public vote proved disappointing, leaving the 31-year-old in 18th place out of 25 finalists.
Still, the Years & Years singer took it on the chin, smiling as the venue in Sweden booed at the outcome.
Olly gave an admirable performance after a shaky semi-final marred by a wardrobe malfunction, with some brilliant staging – including the singer turning upside-down in a box surrounded by dancers – and the crowd were well and truly behind him.
Switzerland’s Nemo won Eurovision 2024 with their song The Code, pipping Croatia’s Baby Lasagna to the post.
They received 12 points from the likes of Austria, Norway, Denmark, and Spain, to name just a few.
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This comes after a truly eventful Eurovision final, with jurors pulling out and refusing to announce points, entrants making powerful statements during rehearsals, and performers missing flag parades.
Meanwhile, thousands of protestors gathered outside the arena, demanding the removal of Israel from the contest in light of the state’s bombardment of Gaza.
Millions boycotted Eurovision in solidarity with Palestine and expressed disdain for its organisers – this was especially obvious when Martin Österdahl was introduced and an almighty boo bellowed from the crowds.
Österdahl, a Swedish TV producer and author, is the contest’s Executive Supervisor, and therefore the face of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Elsewhere, of the jurors Austria’s made the boldest statement of the evening when announcing the country’s points.
Radio presenter and actor Philipp Hansa began: ‘To be honest, I thought, for this, it’s gonna be difficult to find only positive words, but the reality is that it is just great to see a lot of beautiful souls in here.
‘Especially in times where heartlessness seems to have prevailed, but it won’t.
‘Thank you for reminding us that, together, behind the idea of music it’s that we are meant to all be treated equally.’
His speech was met with cheers from the packed arena.
Meanwhile UK commentator Graham Norton noted hearing boos when Israel’s entry Eden Golan took to the stage to perform Hurricane – a song which was forcibly reworked from its original title October Rain, seemingly referring to the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
This comes as the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 35,000 people – most of whom are civilians – since Israel launched military operations in response to Hamas’s October 7 attack, which killed more than 1,000 in Israel.
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James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
