Eurovision winner denies drugs claims
The lead singer of Eurovision winners Maneskin has denied suggestions he was caught on camera taking drugs during the broadcast.
Damiano David from the Italian band said he did not take drugs and rejected the idea he was taking cocaine.
Maneskin took the top prize with Zitti e buoni scoring 524 points, ahead of French entry Voila by Barbara Pravi and Switzerlan;s entry, Gjon's Tears' song Tout l'univers, which came third.
When asked about the incident during a press conference, Damiano said: "Thomas (guitarist Thomas Raggi) broke a glass ... I don't use drugs, please, guys, do not say that.
"Don't say that really. No cocaine, please, do not say that."
Morethansevenmillionpeople in the UK tuned in to watch theshow,inwhichjamesnewman score nil points.
It was a disappointing night for the British hopeful, who was the only contestant to scored zero points from the jury vote and from the public vote, coming bottom on the leaderboard.
The competition, which was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after the show was cancelled in 2020. Some 7.4 million people tuned in to watch the competition on BBC One.
Newman took his defeat in good humour, drinking a beer and standing up to applause from the live audience in the arena.
The singer, who is the older brother of pop star John Newman, had hoped to win over viewers with his rendition of upbeat track Embers, which was inspired by the end of lockdown.
He performed in front of a crowd of 3,500 fans at the Ahoy arena.
The UK is no stranger to the bottom of the Eurovision leaderboard and came in last place in 2019 with Michael Rice's Bigger Than Us.
Comedian Bill Bailey offered his services for Eurovision next year after the UK'S disastrous performance.
The Strictly Come Dancing champion wrote on Twitter: "I'd be happy to throw my hat in the ring for #Eurovision 2022."
His fellow comic Jack Whitehall, who recently hosted the Brit awards, swiftly
replied:"pleasemakethishappen."
A Change.org petition was set up by comedy website Chortle, saying: "After yet another humiliation for the UK at the Eurovision song contest, we call on the BBC to put Bill Bailey forward as our entry for the 2022 contest, in Italy."
It added: "Given his popularity (proved by his victory on Strictly) and his long-term love of music, we think it's time he had this chance."
Meanwhile, a Glasgow SNP councillor was criticised
for using “abhorrent language” in a tweet concerning the contest.
Rhiannon Spear posted: “It's ok Europe we hate the United Kingdom too. Love, Scotland.”
Her post was branded by the Scottish Conservatives as an example of the SNP’S “toxic obsession with division”.
Scottish Conservative chief whip Stephen Kerr said: “The mask has again slipped from the SNP.”