Eurovision 2019: As it happened

Summary

The Netherlands wins Eurovision with 492 points
Italy came second and Russia came third
The UK's Michael Rice came last with 16 points

Live Reporting

Emma Saunders and Helen Bushby

Germanypublished at 20:27 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Image source, Getty Images
If you're going to enter a song about sisterhood called Sister and have it performed by a duo named S!sters, it might make sense to find a pair.
Carlotta Truman and Laurita Spinelli aren't actually siblings though. In fact, they only met in January.
Germany did okay last year, finishing fourth with Michael Shulte's You Let Me Walk Alone.
But they could be set for their third last-place finish this decade with a song that probably wouldn't be in this final had one of the "big five" not submitted it.
Sister is one of three songs in the final co-written by Canada's Laurell Barker, who also had a hand in the UK and Swiss entries we'll be hearing later.
Czech Republicpublished at 20:23 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Image source, EPA
With their brightly hued jumpers, fresh-faced appeal and boyish enthusiasm, Czech trio Lake Malawi have a Monkees vibe which suits the retro feel of upbeat pop tune Friend of a Friend.
Lead singer Albert Cerny (above) was inspired to sing after hearing Coldplay and has a stab at an English accent during the song's spoken-word section.
He also throws in a Premier League knee slide before beckoning the camera to join him as he jiggles about the stage.
Word cloud projections showing "Friend" in multiple languages hammer home the song's feel-good message of international brotherhood.
Image source, Reuters
Albaniapublished at 20:20 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Image source, Getty Images
No finalist placed second in the running order has even gone on to win the competition.
That's bad news for Albania's Jonida Maliqi, whose brooding wailer Ktheju tokes (Return to Your Land) is unlikely to upset the form book.
"Every song, every tear is just a bitter souvenir," the Tirana native sings in her native tongue. "You have lost your identity, so come back home now."
Jonida gives it some welly and the giant eagle is a nice touch. But this isn't the song to end Albania's 15-year dry spell.
Every night is Eurovision night!published at 20:16 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Image source, Adrian
Super-fan Adrian has sent us a photo of his extensive collection of Eurovision CDs, so he can listen to his favourites any night of the year. He's been collecting the CDs for years.
He asks: "Who can remember the 1994 entry by Frances Ruffelle - Lonely Symphony & A Song For Europe 2000?!"
Maltapublished at 20:16 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Image source, Getty Images
Malta get things underway with a very colourful performance from Michela Pace, an 18-year-old singer who goes by plain old Michela.
Hailing from Gozo, she earned her ticket to Tel Aviv by winning the Maltese version of The X Factor in January.
Her jazzy, horn-led number Chameleon has a pleasing touch of Rihanna about it, though it's the accompanying visual projections that will probably earn Michela a place inside the top 10.
Transporting her from the floor of the ocean to the roof of a skyscraper, they set a high technical bar for the rest of the show.
50 Shades' EL James is clearly a fanpublished at 20:11 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Cheeky BBC Eurovision enjoyed a fruity exchange with 50 Shades of Grey author EL James, after she said she hoped to be watching the show.
Nothing like a spot of bondage-inspired music from Iceland to offer some shade (get it?!) to the light of Eurovision's sugar-coated pop and power ballads.
Do you like ticking boxes?published at 20:09 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
If you're the sort of person who loves a list (you know who you are), you'll be delighted to know you can download this party pack from BBC Eurovision, which includes a sweepstake and scorecards.
We can hardly wait...!
So what does Rylan think?published at 20:01 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Image source, Getty Images
We have lift-off for Eurovision! Here are semi-final co-commentator Rylan Clark-Neal's predictions - take a look and see if they match your own!
Dream come truepublished at 20:00 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
UK hopeful Michael Rice is counting down until his performance...
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Catch up on all the week's Eurovision happenings!published at 19:58 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
It's time to do your homework ahead of the show, if you haven't already. Grab your drink and settle down for a catch-up on what you might have missed:
Image source, Getty Images
The big opening numberpublished at 19:54 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Image source, Getty Images
We were given a preview of the show's opening sequence on Friday and it's pretty darn spectacular.
It involves last year's winner Netta Barzilai flying this year's contestants into Tel Aviv, with some assistance from Eurovision supremo Jon Ola Sand and hundreds of helpful locals.
Some famous faces from Eurovision's past will also be on hand to start the show with a bang.
This year's hosts, by the way, are presenter Assi Azar, DJ and poet Lucy Ayoub, supermodel Bar Refaeli and presenter Erez Tal (above).
How the voting workspublished at 19:47 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Image source, Getty Images
If you need to refresh your memory - or can't even remember if you're allowed to vote for your own country - you need to read this NOW!, external
Here's a mini-version for you as well:
- After all songs have been performed, each country will give two sets of points. One set is given by a jury of five music industry professionals, while the other is from viewers at home.
- Viewers can vote by telephone, SMS and through the official app but you cannot vote for your own country.
- Once the voting window has closed, the spokespersons in all participating countries will reveal their jury points live on air.
- Next, viewers' points from all participating countries are added up, and revealed from the lowest to the highest.
- This leads to the nail-biting result, which will reveal the winner of the 64th Eurovision Song Contest.
View from the press roompublished at 19:40 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest
Greetings from the giant hangar adjacent to the Tel Aviv Expo where the world's press have gathered to report on this year's grand final.
The atmosphere at present is one of nervous expectation, to be replaced by unrestrained bedlam once the live show starts.
The representatives from each country tend to stick together at these affairs, the better to cheer, hoot and holler in unison when their act performs and - hopefully - starts winning votes.
With all the flags being waved and displayed, it's more akin to being at an international football match.
I'll be posting entries about each song as they are performed, plus lots of other colour and updates.
Send us your Eurovision picturespublished at 19:33 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
We love the pictures you send us each year of your wild and crazy Eurovision parties.
We can publish them right here on this live page - send us your images of themed food, amazing costumes, Eurovision pets or anything else you can think of!
We know it's not just us wearing sparkly outfits...!
Looks like last year's contestant SuRie has found some suitable friends to hang out with already...
Email us here: entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk
Did you know? Random facts!published at 19:10 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
- The Eurovision Song Contest started with just seven participating countries in 1956.
- Norway have been at the bottom of the scoreboard 11 times (but have also won three times).
- Until 1998, each act was supported by a live orchestra and every country brought their own conductor.
You can find more fabulous facts here., external, on the official Eurovision website.
The all-important running order...published at 19:01 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Image source, Getty Images
Settle down ahead of the show and take a look at tonight's placings - Malta kick off proceedings, the UK are somewhere in the middle, while Spain wraps up the show in 26th spot.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Who is favourite to win?published at 18:53 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Not that we're encouraging you to go out and place your bets of course, but should you want to know who the odds are favouring, look no further.
The Netherlands are currently favourites to win, followed by Australia and Switzerland.
The Netherlands haven't won since 1975, while Australia came second in 2016. Switzerland haven't been in the final since 2014, so it's all to play for.
Sadly for the UK, Michael Rice's entry has just a 1% chance of winning according to the latest odds but he's not alone - 15 other countries also share the same depressing outlook as things stand.
So you want to find Eurovision - look no further!published at 18:36 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
You can watch all the action on BBC One from 20:00 BST, with Graham Norton's witty repartee keeping us entertained.
You can also listen to Ken Bruce's dulcet tones on BBC Radio 2 at the same time.
Welcome, bienvenue and happy Eurovision!published at 18:20 British Summer Time 18 May 2019
Not long to go now... it's nearly time for Eurovision 2019!
We'll be with you all night bringing you commentary, updates and reaction, from what is promising to be a typically lively, colourful contest from Tel Aviv.
Follow us on Facebook, external and Twitter, external@BBCNewsEnts and let us know your thoughts on the wild, the wonderful and the downright weird. We might even use your comments - so keep an eye out!