Aussie singer overwhelmed with joy
AUSTRALIA’S Isaiah Firebrace was almost in tears after negotiating nerves, lofty high notes and that tricky turntable to deliver a Top 10 performance of Don’t Come Easy at the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Kiev.
Portugal’s Salvador Sobral won the 2017 title and millions of hearts with his tender orchestral ballad Amar Pelos Dois.
The 27-year-old Portuguese singer only arrived in Kiev less than a week before the grand final, prevented from attending earlier rehearsals because of a life-threatening heart condition and is reportedly awaiting a transplant.
Isaiah finished a respectable ninth while Australian Anja Nissen representing Denmark was 20th out of the 26 countries in the grand final.
The Top 10 for 2017 were Portugal, Bulgaria, Moldova, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Romania, Hungary, Australia and Norway.
Firebrace’s smile shone brightly and his voice soared with soul. He later said he was overjoyed with his final effort which had placed him fourth with the juries from the 26 countries, counting for 50 per cent of the vote.