UK’s Sam Ryder storms into shock lead after wowing Europe with Space Man anthem

Sweden gets just 180 points

Pretty shocking!

It could be Ukraine’s night!

Uk needs 300 points to win

We are about to discover who will win the contest.

Its Ukraine, UK and Sweden left.

Ukraine gets 439 points, totalling 631

Wow – This brings Ukraine to the top of the board – woth 631 points.

There are just three left!

The TV vote is so close

The UK’s TV votes have bot come in.

Serbia is now in first position with 312.

UK are on 283.

Just ten countries left!

Last years’s Eurovision champions joke about drug allegations

The lead singer of Maneskin advised Eurovision contestants “don’t get too close to the table”, referring to allegations that he was caught on camera taking drugs at the competition last year.

The Italian rock band had “strongly refuted the allegations of drug use” that emerged on social media after Damiano David appeared to bend over a table in the contest’s green room while on camera.

Following Maneskin’s win last year, David denied that he used drugs and said he bent over because another band member had broken a glass at their feet.

The European Broadcasting Union later confirmed the frontman had returned a negative result in a drugs test since the event.

During the Eurovision song contest final 2022, the reigning champions took to the stage to perform their new single Supermodel.

Following their powerful performance, a limping David was asked to give this year’s contestants advice, to which he quipped: “Two things. Have fun and don’t get close to the table guys.”

UK leading scroeboard after jury votes

Is this actually a dream?

But be warned, the TV vote could change everything!

AJ Odudu giving UK results from Manchester

Get in! It’s Aj Odudu!

We have given 12 points to Sweden.

Thankfully it didnt out their points over ours.

UK now on 247 points

We just got 10 from Croatia.

Sweden number 2, Spain number 3 and Croatia in at number 4.

12 points from France!

Yes, the French have given us the top marks!

Could this be the UK’s first win in decades?

Current leaderboard – UK on top

24 of 40 countries have voted.

United Kingdom are at the top, with Sweden second and Spain third.

UK currently on 152 points

Sweden and Spain are VERY close behind.

Bit of a disappointing score from Italy – just a 3 for the UK for them.

UK gets 12 points from Sweden and Germany

Uk gets 10 points from Spain.

We got 12 points from Sweden

Germany gave us 12 points too.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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?

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!