The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 kicked off tonight at 8pm BST with 26 countries competing for a chance to walk away as winners and host the competition next year.
Graham Norton provided commentary for the UK, taking over from radio presenter Scott Mills and This Morning host Rylan Clark-Neal who presented the two semi-finals earlier this week.
Netherlands were the favourites to win this year’s competition with odds of 4/6 on Bet365, SkyBet, Ladbrokes and William Hill.
Duncan Laurence and his song Arcade sailed through the second semi-final but they faced competition from Australia who had odds of 11/2.
When Australia’s Kate Miller-Heidke performed a rendition of song Zero Gravity in the first semi-final, odds on her winning were slashed.
Michela Pace, representing Malta with her song Chameleon was the first performance of the night.
The UK’s entry, Michael Rice and his song Bigger Than Us, was 16th in the running order.
The odds for the UK to win were 150-1 so it’s unsurprising that the UK trailed in last place.
Madonna performed her new track Future with rapper Quavo and her classic Like A Prayer during the show.
Follow our live blog below for updates on the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.
EUROVISION 2019 FINAL: WHO WILL WIN THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST? LATEST ODDS
Eurovision 2019: Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands has won this year’s contest (Image: BBC)
12:07am – Netherlands first win in 44 years
The Netherlands have not won the competition in 44 years since Teach-In in 1975.
Previously, they took home the trophy in 1957 and 1959.
12:00am – Netherlands WIN Eurovision 2019
The public vote has come to an end naming the Netherlands’ Duncan Laurence as the winner of this year’s contest with 492 points.
The UK’s Michael Rice came last with just 16 points.
11.53pm – UK plunge to LAST place
As the public vote comes the UK falls to last place in a disappointing result.
Norway have now risen up the ranks to overtake Sweden.
11.45pm – North Macedonia on track to win
Votes are coming in and North Macedonia looks set to claim a shock victory as the small nation enjoys a flurry of votes.
The result could be a surprise as the Balkan nation was not previously tipped as a favourite.
11.22pm – London calling
Rylan Clark-Neal has revealed the votes for the UK
North Macedonia gets 12 points from the UK’s jury selection, which means the nation is surging up the leaderboard.
This competition is really heating up at North Macedonia is emerging as a new favourite.
This new voting system from 2015 has really shaken things up and made things interesting.
11.16pm – The votes are coming in
The votes are starting to come in rapidly and it’s looking good for Italy early on.
Favourites the Netherlands aren’t at the top but are within the top five at the moment.
A number of countries still don’t have any points but at least the UK has got some now.
Eurovision 2019: results are coming in (Image: BBC)
11.07pm – The voting lines are now closed
The results are going to be coming in shortly from the different nations.
It’s starting to get tense as we wait tentatively for the vote.
10.58pm – Madonna takes to the stage
This is the first time in the history of Eurovision that Madonna has taken to the stage and is the third time the star has performed in Israel.
Graham is saying what we’re all thinking: “A slightly muted from the audience. But she showed up and she put on a show.”
Sadly, many fans found the performance underwhelming and hit out on social media.
10.45pm – Anticipation for Madonna’s performance is building
One fan said: “Lets have a quick chat with our performers. Nooooo I don’t care!!! Bring Madonna on stage NOW #Eurovision.”
Another wrote: “All hail Queen Madonna #Eurovision.”
10.30pm – Time for the interval
Eurovision fans have taken to social media to reveal who they would like to see win tonight’s show.
One said: “Iceland are my winners #eurovision,” and another wrote: “Norway. Iceland. Switzerland. #eurovision.”
A third tweeted: “I’m calling it. Greece to win. #eurovision.”
“Slovenia, Cyprus, France are my favorites so far. Honorable mentions for Iceland, Norway and Italy :> #Eurovision,” a fourth remarked.
10.10pm – That’s it! The lines have opened so get voting for your favourite
10.05pm – Spain are the final country to perform
Miki is the last singer to take to the stage after an evening of brilliant performances.
He performs his vibrant song La Venda and is joined on stage by very colourfully dressed backing dancers.
10.01pm – Another bookies favourite, Australia
Kate Miller-Heidke performs Zero Gravity and is now of the favourites to win after her impressive semi-final performance.
The singer looks stunning in an extravagant gown and puts on a great performance accompanied by thrilling stage.
9.57pm – Switzerland, another favourite performs
Luca Hanni performed in the second semi-final earlier in the week with his up-beat tune She Got Me.
This could be one to watch as Graham adds: “By far one of the biggest reactions in the hall.”
Eurovision 2019: Madonna performs at the Eurovision Song Contest (Image: BBC)
9.52pm – Serbia take to the stage
Eurovision goes from catchy pop tune to power ballad with Serbia’s entry.
Nevena Bozovic belts out Kruna as she represents her country.
9.48pm – Italy are up next
Representing Italy is Mamood with his song Soldi, which is already a big hit.
After the performance, Graham commented: “They love it here in the hall and remember it has been a huge hit, expect that to do well.”
9.45 – France, another Big Five country, takes to the stage
France did not have to compete in the semi-finals as they are one of the Big Five countries.
Bilal Hassani performs for the first time tonight with song Roi.
The singer is joined on stage by a famous French ballet dancer as an important message about acceptable is shown on the screen behind them.
Eurovision 2019: Australia’s impressive staging (Image: GETTY)
9.41 – The next performance is Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan follows on from Belarus as we near closer to the end of tonight’s performances.
Singer Chingiz takes to the stage to perform song Truth.
9.37 – Time for Belarus
Next up to perform for the audience is Zena singing her tune Like it for Belarus.
Amazingly, the young singer is only 16 years old.
9.33pm – Eurovision’s next county is Estonia
Estonia is the 18th country to perform tonight as Victor Crone takes to the stage.
Enjoying Victor’s rendition of Storm, viewers took to Twitter to comment.
One said: “The kind of music to make you feel happy is fairly present this year #estonia #Eurovision.”
“Country songs are exactly what eurovision needed thank u estonia #eurovision,” said another.
9.29 – Iceland is next
Hatari is the next performer to take to the stage and will be belting out song Hatrio mun sigra.
Very unusual stage setting, as Hatari is performing a metal cage.
9.22pm – IT’S TIME FOR THE UK TO PERFORM
Michael Rice will be hoping to impress viewers with his rendition of Bigger Than Us.
Bookies have not predicted great things for this song but Eurovision is full of surprises.
Viewers watching at home have been quick to support Michael.
One said: “Michael Rice you have done yourself and the UK proud. Fabulous performance! Definitely deserving of a win! You are a winner no matter what the scoreboard says at the end of the evening. Much love xxx.”
Another remarked : “@bbceurovision @grahnort loving the show so far #michaelrice Was brilliant good luck to him.”
9.17pm – Norway’s three-piece are the 15th country to take to the stage
Singers Alexandra Rotan, Tom Hugo and rapper Fred Buljo make up the band KEiiNO.
They are performing song Spirit In The Sky that includes joik, the oldest living vocal tradition in Europe.
Eurovision 2019: Michael Rice represented the UK (Image: GETTY)
9.15pm – The host’s country entry is next to perform
Kobi Marimi takes to the stage to represent Israel who won last year’s competition.
The song was written especially for him and Graham warns that it will be an emotional performance.
As he finishes the powerful ballad, Kobi breaks down in tears.
9.08pm – Katherine Duska representing Greece is next
In an extravagant gown, Katherine Duska performs her song Better Love.
After the performance, Graham confesses: “Have I been in the Euro bubble too long? I enjoyed that!”
9.06pm – It’s time for the bookies favourite, the Netherlands
Duncan Laurence is the hot favourite to win the competition with his ballad Arcade.
With simple staging, the single puts on an emotional performance.
Will he win the show or will he be beaten in a shock twist?
9.01pm – Cyprus is next to perform for the audience
Tamta gives an upbeat performance of her song Replay as she represents Cyprus in the competition.
She wears a revealing latex body suit and extremely high thigh boots.
The audience is on its feet as they catchy tune gets them dancing.
8.56pm – Slovenia take to the stage
Zala Kralj and Gasper Santl are representing Slovenia with their duet of song Sebi.
Commenting on their performance, Graham remarks: “Romantic or creepy? You decide.”
The two give an emotional performance and as they finish Graham adds: “I’ve decided, it’s creepy.”
Eurovision 2019: Kobi broke down in tears (Image: BBC)
8.53pm – Sweden’s turn
John Lundvik takes to the stage ready to perform his song Too Late for Love.
The writer for this song is also one of the co-writers for the UK’s entry.
Backing singers, the Big Mamas join John helping to get the party started and as the performance comes to an end members of the audience can be seen dancing.
8.46pm – North Macedonia is up next
In a completely different style, Tamara Todevska takes to the stage to perform.
As she belts out her own song Pride, viewers at home are taking to Twitter to share their thoughts on the show.
One said: “I am forcing my boyfriend to watch this. He claims to dislike it but I caught him chair dancing #Eurovision.”
“San Marino! Proper Eurovision, that was,” tweeted another.
“Wow #NorthMacedonia has produced not only a singer with a fabulous voice, but also a very powerful song without all the gimmicks. She won’t get many points of course because #Eurovision is now all about weird dress, weird dance and swinging from the ceiling,” wrote a third.
8.42pm – San Marino’s entry starts to sing
Serhat is representing San Marino with catchy tune Say Na Na Na.
He’s joined by a number of backing dancers who bring the party atmosphere to the performance.
Will viewers be saying yes yes yes to San Marino?
8.39pm – Denmark takes to the stage
Leonara begins her performance of Love Is Forever as the audience joins in.
Time for more unusual staging with a giant grey chair in the middle of the stage.
If the audience’s reaction matches viewers at home then this could do well tonight.
8.33pm – Sergey Lazarev for Russia is next
Representing Russia is Sergey Lazarev who takes to the stage in a white suit.
Russia brings with it the first unusual staging of the night as a number of different silhouettes of Sergey being rained are are projected on the screen.
Eurovision 2019: Graham Norton is providing the UK commentary (Image: BBC)
8.26pm – Czech Republic’s entry performs
Czech Republic’s Lake Malawi are the first band of the night with their rendition of Friend of Friend.
The lead singer gets the crowd joining in and clapping their hands
8.23pm – Jonida Maliqi representing Albania is next
Next up is Albania in the unlucky number two spot with Jonida Maliqi and the song Ktheju tokës.
Graham points out the singer who performs second on the show has never won the competition.
8.17pm – Malta takes to the stage
Michele Pace, with her rendition of song Chameleon, is the first performer on tonight’s show.
The 18-year-old was chosen to represent Malta after winning X Factor Malta.
Praising the young singer, Graham remarked: “What a tough job, to come out here and kick off the competition.”
8.12pm – Eurovision 2019 has begun
Last year’s winner Netta Barzilali kicks off the show by disembarking from a life-size plane.
All of this year’s acts are taking to the stage in the order that they will perform tonight.
Dana International, who won the competition for Israel in 1998, performs her winning song Diva.
Netta and Dana introduce tonight’s hosts Bar Refaeli, Erez Tal, Assi Azar and Lucy Ayoub.
7.45pm – 15 minutes to go until Eurovision begins
Eurovision Song Contest 2019 is about to kick off and fans on social media are getting into the spirit of the competition.
“Me & the missus walked down the aisle to the #Eurovision theme #TrueStory,” one viewer reminisced.
Another added: “Fingers crossed to you all in #Eurovision.”
“#Eurovision here we go, looking forward to watching a great show,” a third wrote.
