Tuning out
Contest’s UK viewing figures fall sharply
Eurovision lost almost a quarter of its UK viewers compared with last year’s Liverpool extravaganza, amid a row over Israel’s participation.
Saturday night’s grand final on the BBC was watched by an average of 7.64 million people, peaking at 8.46 million, according to official figures provided by the agency Digital i. Britain’s entry, Olly Alexander, finished in 18th place with 46 points after he was awarded zero in the public vote.
Last year’s contest in Liverpool was the most watched final by British viewers since modern records began. Broadcast from the UK for the first time in 25 years, there was a five-minute peak of 11 million people watching and an average viewing figure of 9.98 million, equating to a 63% TV audience share, the BBC said at the time.
Switzerland won Saturday’s contest, which was overshadowed by the disqualification of the Dutch contestant, Joost Klein, hours before the start of the grand final and a row over the participation of Israel’s Eden Golan.
Several hundred protesters gathered outside the Malmö Arena before the final, including the climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was among those escorted away by police.
In the run-up to Eurovision there had been calls for a boycott over Israel’s inclusion because of the war in Gaza. In March, Alexander and several other entrants rejected the demands, stating their belief in “the unifying power of music”.
The actor Maxine Peake and the author Sarah Schulman were among a list of more than 450 individuals and organisations who signed an open letter as Queers for Palestine calling on Alexander – the former Years & Years singer and star of Channel 4’s It’s a Sin – to pull out of the contest in solidarity with Palestine.
Alexander responded on Instagram, writing: “I wholeheartedly support action being taken to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages and the safety and security of all civilians in Palestine and Israel.
“I know some people will choose to boycott this year’s Eurovision and I understand and respect their decision. As a participant I’ve taken a lot of time to deliberate over what to do and the options available to me. It is my … belief that removing myself from the contest wouldn’t bring us any closer to our shared goal.”
Alexander did not finish last with his dance pop track Dizzy but did receive the dreaded “nul points” from the audience vote. He and his team reacted jovially as the UK was the only country to not score from the audience tally, though he did win 46 points from other countries’ judges.
Alexander yesterday praised the Swiss winner, Nemo, posting on Instagram: “Nemo !!!! You did it!! I’m so so proud of you. It’s been such an honour to be on this journey with you. You broke the code!!!”
Israel’s Golan finished fifth with her song Hurricane and performed strongly in the public vote, coming second only to Croatia. The 20-yearold received the maximum points from the British public vote but nothing from the UK jury.