Eurovision favourites Ukraine win after a resounding lead from the public vote
Their folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra asks for help for Ukrainian forces in besieged Mariupol, at the end of their song
The UK's Sam Ryder comes second in the contest - our highest position in over 20 years
Ukraine had been the favourite to win the contest, although the UK was in the lead after the jury vote
Some fans have been saying online they wanted to see fewer ballads and more bangers among the 25 entries
Switzerland gets zero votes from the public vote, but 78 from the jury
Lyn and Janet from Crowborough are in campaign garb enjoying the rehearsals this afternoon and are heading to the Isle of Skye Scottish pub to continue cheering on the UK's Sam Ryder in his quest for success.
Image source, Lyn & Janet
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, BBC News
Eurovision has often been called The Musical Olympics, and just like the sporting event there’s a flag ceremony at the beginning that lasts for approximately 27 lifetimes.
This year, the parade is “enlivened” by dancers holding fluorescent lightbulbs that flash in the colours of each country’s flag.
Don’t worry, it’ll be over eventually.
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, BBC News
Image source, Getty ImagesHost Laura Pausini is singing a medley of her hits, with a phalanx of dancers, half of Eurovision’s fireworks budget and a costume change to accompany every number.
You’ll see her go from orange to white, then blue, yellow and black, with each outfit representing a different phase of her career.
She kicks off with three of her Italian number one singles: Benvenuto, Lo Canto and La Solitudine, before closing with Le Cose Che Vivi and her new single Scatola.
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, BBC News
The show opens with an anti-war message, with hundreds of musicians playing Give Peace A Chance in central Turin.
There’s no mention of who it’s aimed at – Eurovision organisers are determined to be apolitical -but given that Russia were banned from this year’s contest, it doesn’t take much imagination to work out what’s going on here.
The band behind this number are known as The Rockin' 1000, and were originally formed by marine geologist Fabio Zaffagnini in July 2015, as part of an attempt to persuade Foo Fighters to play a show in the town of Cesena, Italy.
They hold the world record for the largest performing rock band.
Mark Savage
Music correspondent, BBC News
Buckle up, everyone, for a night of musical madness. Although don’t get too comfortable just yet… There’s 18 minutes of waffle before the first act takes the stage, so you’ve got enough time to walk the dog, mix a cocktail and boil four eggs if you want to.
You can also download a scorecard here, if filling in forms isn’t too much like your day job.
Sophie van Brugen
Entertainment reporter
Rock band Maneskin reveal what life has been like since winning the Eurovision 2021.
Image source, Matt YoungCorks are flying around the country as friends and families prepare to watch Eurovision.
Superfan Matt in London tells us he's buzzing with excitement and he has already cracked open the prosecco.
He is joined by his boyfriend Ben and his mum Lynda as they bring out the Union Flags to support UK hopeful Sam Ryder.
Matt says: "For the first time in a long time, the UK is in with a real shot to bring it home.
"The atmosphere in Finchley is nervous but upbeat.
"We’re really looking forward to seeing Ukraine, UK, Czech Republic and Spain shine."
Where are you watching tonight? Parties planned? Antipasto anyone? Are you dressed in a space suit?! Send us images of your Eurovision celebrations, we’d love to see them! The email address is yourpics@bbc.co.uk.You can WhatsApp on +44 7756 165803.
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Graham Norton is leading the BBC One’s coverage of Eurovision for the 13th time. Here he is in his commentary box - resplendent in an out-of-this-world jacket, to match UK entrant Sam Ryder's song Space Man.
The comedian and presenter has been busting jokes as commentator for UK audiences since he replaced the late, great Sir Terry Wogan in 2009.
When he's not watching Eurovision, Graham can be found presenting The Graham Norton Show and on Virgin Radio UK, as well as judging on RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
Sophie Williams
BBC News, Lviv, Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sent well wishes to Kalush Orchestra ahead of their performance tonight.
In a video posted to Telegram, he said: "The continent and whole world will hear our native word.
"I believe that, in the end, this word will be 'victory'.
He called on people to support their fellow countrymen and support Ukraine.
Kalush Orchestra are among the favourites to take the top spot tonight in Turin.
Voting will get underway once all countries have performed.
Audiences from participating countries will be able to vote for their favourite songs by phone, text or the Eurovision app.
Each person can vote up to 20 times, but they will not be able to vote for their own country's entry.
The public votes make up for 50% of the total vote. The other half is determined by a professional jury in each participating country.
After viewers cast their votes, a national spokesperson presents the points of their professional jury - ranging from 12 points to zero.
After the presentation of the scores from the juries they are combined with the public's points, providing one score for each song.
The public’s points will then be announced by the event’s hosts, which can result in lots of leapfrogging on the leaderboard, increasing the drama before the winner of Eurovision 2022 is announced.
Image source, Getty ImagesBritish pop star Mika will be guiding us through the night as co-presenter of Eurovision 2022.
The singer is best known in the UK for his 2007 album Life In Cartoon Motion, which had us dancing to hits like Grace Kelly.
An unexpected blast from the past you may say!
But in fact, Italian-speaking Mika has been a judge on the X Factor Italy.
He also had his own TV variety show in the country.
Mika is joined on stage by co-hosts Italian presenter Alessandro Cattelan and singer Laura Pausini.
Image source, Getty ImagesMark Savage
Music correspondent, BBC News
Queues are building outside Turin's Pala Alpitour, with fans from all over the world arriving to cheer on their favourites. I went out to meet a few of them...
Hannah Hayes (second left) and friends think Norway's Subwoolfer could snatch a surprise victory from Ukraine.
"You never know what Europe is in the mood for, so I think they could do it."
Daniel and Nikki Doyle have travelled from Milton Keynes to support Sam Ryder, complete with a thematically-appropriate space suit.
"Because of his efforts, I'm so proud to be having this flag on my back tonight," says Daniel. "He has so much positivity and I think that's what's made it a better year for the UK."
How does he think Sam will do?
"Top five, fingers crossed, but definitely better than last year."
André has come from Germany for his sixth Eurovision Song Contest.
He thinks Germany's Malik Harris is "under-rated" in the contest, saying: "I'm very proud of it, but a lot of people don't think like that."
But he thinks Sweden's "really amazing" Cordelia Jakobs could lift the trophy.
Turin natives Allesandra and Giulia are here to support Italy's Mahmood and Blanco.
"We can't wait to see our nation, but we also like so much Romania and Australia."
And what about the UK entry?
"It's okaaaaay," Alessandra says diplomatically. "But we are Italian so of course we want Italy to win."
Image source, .
Image source, Getty ImagesKen Bruce has been commentating on Eurovision since 1988, and he’s live on Radio 2 from 20:00 BST tonight.
We asked him to predict who’ll win tonight… and he reckons the vote will be split.
“You can never quite second-guess the way the voting is going to go,” he says, “but I would say many of the juries will go for Sam Ryder as being the best in show, and the public will vote overwhelmingly for Ukraine.”
He adds that, “on a level playing field,” Sam could even win – but that a top five result feels more realistic, with Sweden’s Cordelia Jakobs the dark horse who could upset all the predictions.
Astronaut Tim Peake sends good wishes to Sam Ryder. Wonder if he's lent him his spacesuit for the show?
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Image source, Getty ImagesTonight the UK’s hopes will be pinned on Sam Ryder.
The bearded and long-locked 32-year-old will be hoping his pop song Space Man proves a massive hit.
Sam, from Essex, found fame during lockdown singing covers on TikTok, like Britney Spears' Baby One More Time.
He boasts being the most followed UK music artist on TikTok with a staggering 12 million followers.
Sam also counts music legends Justin Bieber, Sia and Alicia Keys as fans.
But will Space Man be enough to turn around the UK's Eurovision woes?
The UK finished in bottom place in the last two contests.
Sam told the BBC’s music correspondent Mark Savage earlier this week: "I don't want to get to a point where I start believing the hype. I just want to do everyone proud, and do the best job I possibly can.”
Find out more about Sam’s Road to Eurovision on the BBC iPlayer.
Just a little reminder for you - there were 40 entrants this year but following the two semi-finals this week that has been whittled down to 20 acts plus the so-called Big Five - Italy, Spain, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
The Big Five get automatic entry into the grand final because they contribute the most financially to the competition.
Here’s the running order - and a little bit of trivia for you.
No country who is second to perform has ever won. Sorry Romania. But you never know!
And many believe you have a better chance of winning if you feature in the second half although it’s debatable. , external
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The grand final kicks off for us at 20:00 BST.
Join Graham Norton who will be leading the TV coverage on BBC One and online on BBC iPlayer.
You can also listen to the final with Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
And of course, you can follow along with us here, too!
Image source, Getty ImagesThe day has finally arrived! Welcome to the Eurovision grand final!
We’ll be covering all the build-up, giving you all the essential info and taking you through the event song by song, as it happens.
Plus all the reaction later. So stay tuned.
Get in touch
Where are you watching tonight? Parties planned? Antipasto anyone? Are you dressed in a space suit?! Send us images of your Eurovision celebrations, we’d love to see them! The email address is yourpics@bbc.co.uk.