Eurovision 2024 LIVE: Latest updates from Malmo after Dutch rapper Joost Klein is axed from contest and Ireland’s Bambie Thug misses final dress rehearsal – as Olly Alexander battles to win crown for UK
Hola, bonsoir and willkommen! Tonight is the night millions across Europe have been waiting for as the Eurovision Song Contest final takes place in Sweden.
The competition has been rocked with a series of crises in the build up to the showpiece event in Malmo with the Dutch entrant axed and Ireland’s Bambie Thug absent from their final rehearsal – all happening amid heightened tensions in the city with pro-Palestinian protesters demanding Israeli singer Eden Golan is booted out.
With Olly Alexander flying the flag for the United Kingdom, MailOnline will bring you live coverage of the results as they come in plus all the latest news, analysis and reaction
Eurovision in crisis: What has happened today?
MailOnline has reported how the Eurovision final has been thrown into turmoil after a series of crises unraveled in Malmo before the grand final is scheduled to start at 8pm UK time.
So let’s recap the events that threaten to overshadow the contest:
Dutch rapper Joost Klein axed after being questioned by Swedish police over incident allegedly involving female production crew
Ireland’s Bambie Thug misses final dress rehearsal after explaining a ‘situation’ required ‘urgent attention’ from organisers European Broadcasting Union
France’s entrant Slimane interrupted his own performance to say Eurovision should be ‘united for peace’ in protest over Israel
Around 15,000 pro-Palestine protesters gather in Malmö to demand Israeli contestant Eden Golan be kicked out of the final
Eurovision in the news: Israeli singer qualifies for final despite wave of protests
With two semi-finals held earlier this week and plenty of scrutiny in the build up to tonight’s final, let’s take a look at some of the Eurovision stories we’ve covered this week.
Here is a selection of stories we have published on our website including the storm surrounding Israeli-Russian singer Eden Golan (pictured):
Ireland’s Bambie Thug misses final rehearsal
Ireland’s entrant Bambie Thug has fulled doubts over whether they will perform at tonight’s final after pulling out of final rehearsals.
Eurovision organisers said they hoped the singer will take to the stage in Malmo later following a ‘situation’ that it hoped would be ‘resolved shortly’
A spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union said:
Bambie Thug did not perform in dress rehearsal three and the footage of their performance in dress rehearsal two was used in its place.
They missed the dress rehearsal due to a situation that is currently being discussed with the EBU and song contest organisers.
We hope that this will be resolved shortly and Bambie Thug will appear in the grand final show as planned.
Eurovision superfans gather in Malmo
With two hours to go before the final kicks off and excitement building across the UK and the continent, let’s take a look at some Eurovision superfans who have been pictured gathering in Malmo earlier today.
Let’s just recap that seismic development earlier today as Swedish police investigate Joost Klein over over an incident allegedly involving a female production crew member.
Amid already heightened tensions surrounding the contest with protests expected in Malmo over the inclusion of Israeli singer Eden Golan, the incident has drawn more attention even before the singers take to the stage.
Good evening
It has been a dramatic day already in Malmo after Eurovision organisers disqualified Dutch contender Joost Klein (pictured) earlier today.
The 26-year-old singer and rapper was absent from two rehearsals on Friday and it has since emerged Swedish police are investigating a complaint allegedly made by a female member of the production crew.
It means 25 countries will now participate in tonight’s final which promises more entertainment with good, bad and downright bizarre performances ahead of us
Follow our blog as we guide you through the 68th edition of Eurovision