Eurovision's most controversial moments revealed
- Eurovision’s 2024 Grand Final will air on Saturday from Malmo, Sweden
- READ MORE: Moment Eurovision 2024 entrant suffers embarrassing fall on stage
It’s known for glamorous acts competing for glory as a bit of harmless, camp and innocent fun, but at the same time, The Eurovision Song Contest is rarely without drama.
The annual event started as a talent competition of seven European nations in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1956.
Now, it’s evolved into a glitzy televised event bigger than Europe, having previously attracted contestants from countries as far-flung as Australia and guest performances by global superstars, including Justin Timberlake and Madonna.
But while the show has built an immense following, it’s not without its fair share of controversies.
Accusations of block voting and politics have long marred the show, as have rows over including countries such as Azerbaijan and Israel, which aren’t really in Europe at all.
Eurovision Song Contest is full of glitz and glamour and rarely without drama, including Katie Price’s 2005 flop (pictured)
And tension is already mounting this year, after fans blasted this year’s song contest for being too ‘provocative’ and ‘raunchy’.
Fans of the competition, which is in Malmo, Sweden this year, have been critical of acts including Slovenia’s scantily clad Raiven and Olly Alexander for outfits and dance routines that aren’t ‘family friendly’.
Olly is representing the United Kingdom with his catchy tune Dizzy and performed the song with plenty of raunchy dance moves.
While fans prepare for the 2024 grand finale, which will air on 11 May, FEMAIL reveals some of the most outrageous moments from years passed.
1. THE DENMARK KISS – 1957
Denmark’s Birthe Wilke and Gustav Winckler enjoy the longest on-screen kiss in the contest’s history in 1957
Eurovision has seen its fair share of sexy moments over the years but one of the first – and most shocking – came in 1957 courtesy of an on-stage kiss between Danes Birthe Wilke and Gustav Winckler.
Having performed Skibet skal sejle i nat (The Ship Will Be Leaving Tonight), the pair ended their routine with a kiss that went on for 11 seconds – the result, reportedly, of a stage hand failing to give them the cue to stop.
2. CLIFF RICHARD’S VOTE-RIGGING SCANDAL – 1968
Cliff Richard is thought to be the first victim of political voting after he lost to Spain by one point
Politically motivated vote-rigging has left a bitter taste in many a Briton’s mouth over the years, with the UK able to rely only on fellow nil points specialist, Ireland.
One of the most memorable instances came in 1968 when Cliff Richard’s Congratulations lost out to Spain’s Massiel singing La La La by just one mark.
Rumours at the time suggested Spain’s General Franco had sent emissaries to bribe participating countries with offers of buying their home-grown TV series.
Regardless of their veracity, Cliff has since gone on to sell more than 250 million records and is still loved today, while Massiel, although still a singer, has enjoyed a rather less stellar career.
3. JAHN TEIGEN’S NIL POINTS – 1978
Eurovision’s point scoring system is notoriously unforgiving, with the leader board proving a source of anxiety for those languishing at the bottom.
One contestant who knows all-too-well how that feels is Norway’s Jahn Teigen, who in 1978 became the first person to achieve the infamous nil points.
His entry Mil etter mil (Mile After Mile) didn’t fare well with voters, leaving him red-faced when the rankings were announced.
4. BUCKFIZZ’S OUTFIT CHANGE – 1981
Bucks Fizz won the contest for the UK at the Dublin final in 1981. But while the song made headlines, the performance is remembered for a risqué outfit change halfway through.
While singing Making Your Mind Up, the male members of the group whipped off Jay Aston and Cheryl Baker’s skirts in what has now become known as the ‘skirt rip routine’.
So memorable did the manoeuvre prove, it has repeatedly been referenced in sitcoms and sketches by comedians such as Miranda Hart.
5. DANA INTERNATIONAL – 1998
Dana International became the first transgender winner when she bagged first place for Israel in 1998
Israeli Dana International wasn’t expected to win in 1998 but has since become one of the most prominent symbols of Eurovision.
Born male, Dana’s Birmingham triumph has arguably led to greater acceptance of transsexuals, both within Eurovision and without.
‘Winning was huge for me and my country,’ says Dana, now 55. ‘But also for the gay and transsexual community all over Europe. I became a big gay icon all over Europe.’
6. TATU’S FROSTY RECEPTION – 2003
Disliked: t.A.T.u were famously booed during rehearsals after turning up late and insulting other contestants
However bad the song might be, most entrants get a warm reception and a smattering of applause from the Eurovision crowd.
One entry that didn’t was Russia’s t.A.T.u who, in 2003 got a frosty reception after failing to turn up to rehearsals and insulting the other entrants, including calling Germany’s Lou a ‘witch’.
When the pair finally did make an at appearance at rehearsals they were met by boos and jeers from the audience.
7. KATIE PRICE’S ENTRY – 2005
Kate Price (pictured in 2005) failed to qualify for the Eurovision Song Contest – a moment she later claimed to regret
In 2005, the mother-of-five famously made a bid to represent the UK at the Eurovision pre-selection show, Making Your Mind Up.
Singing a song entitled Not Just Anybody, the reality star was heavily pregnant at the time and emphasised the fact in a ghastly pink latex cat suit that had a Teletubbies vibe to it.
Needless to say, the song failed to make the cut and during her appearance on last year’s Celebrity Big Brother, Ms Price admitted it was one of her biggest regrets.
‘I wouldn’t change anything apart from Eurovision,’ she said. ‘I looked shocking, I sounded shocking and I couldn’t sing the song now, I couldn’t sing it then!’
8. LORDI’S SHOCK WIN – 2006
Lordi (pictured), the winners of Eurovision Song Contest, raised eyebrows with their performance in 2006
The Finnish heavy metal band Lordi caused quite a stir in 2006 with their entry Hard Rock Hallelujah.
Looking like a quartet of orcs from Lord of the Rings, the band screamed themselves to first place at the Athens final.
What’s more, they also managed to rack up a record-breaking 292 points and remain the first and only entrant to take first place for Finland.
9. THE CYNDI/ SCOOCH MIX-UP – 2007
He might have been much loved during his 37-year stint fronting the Song Contest in the UK but Terry Wogan doesn’t have an entirely unblemished record.
In 2007, the presenter made his most famous faux pas when he announced that the wrong act had been chosen to represent the UK at Eurovision.
While his co-host Fearne Cotton announced the correct name, Scooch, Wogan simultaneously shouted ‘Cyndi’ leaving the audience confused and Cyndi less than impressed.
10. VERKA SERDUCHKA’S SPACE-AGE MADNESS – 2007
Colourful: Ukraine’s Verka Serduchka proved popular in 2007 – apart from in Russia where she was banned
Prior to Conchita Wurst’s winning turn, the title of Eurovision’s most memorable drag artist belonged to Ukraine’s 2007 entry, Verka Serduchka.
Her bizarre offering, Dancing Lasha Tumbai, saw her emerge clad in a tinfoil ensemble and singing an unfortunate tune, which nevertheless proved surprisingly popular.
Despite her popularity at Eurovision, the music fans of Russia had other ideas and she was banned from performing there for one year.
11. FINLAND’S LESBIAN KISS – 2013
Krista Siegfrids of Finland sparked backlash after she kissed her girlfriend during her performance to comment on her country’s ban on gay weddings
In 2012, the Finnish entry Marry Me by Krista Siegfrids sparked controversy after the singer engaged in a kiss with her girlfriend during the performance in protest of her country’s ban on gay weddings.
Miss Siegfrids chose her song, Marry Me, as a protest against the Finnish parliament’s decision to turn down a vote on gay marriage legislation in 2012.
Greek and Turkish newspapers published furious responses, complaining the kiss breaks Eurovision rules.
The competition’s rules forbid ‘lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature’.
They added: ‘The lyrics and/or performance of the songs shall not bring the Shows, the ESC [Eurovision Song Contest] as such or the EBU [European Broadcasting Union] into disrepute.’
However, Miss Siegfrids denied her protest was political, saying: ‘Homophobic people are angry with me for doing this. But I’m planning a surprise at the end of my performance. It’s live on TV, so nobody can stop me.
12. CONCHITA WURSTS BEARDED TRIUMPH – 2014
Bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst (pictured) representing Austria, caused controversy in 2014
When Austria announced that a bearded drag queen would be representing them in the Eurovision Song Contest it is fair to say that a few eyebrows were raised.
However, far from the novelty act that had been expected, Conchita provided a flawless vocal performance and attracted votes from countries which actively inhibit LGBT rights.
Ahead of her smash hit performance, several countries threatened to cut the song until they were forced into a U-turn by the European Broadcasting Union. Conchita came first and has since become a symbol of tolerance and freedom in the EU.
13. AUSTRALIA ENTERS THE CONTEST – 2015
In 2015, Eurovision competition raised eyebrows when Australia entered the competition with Guy Sebastian’s (pictured) performance in Vienna
No, you’re not going mad — Australia is definitely not in Europe. But in 2015, the country was invited to take part to mark Eurovision’s 60th anniversary. However, the Land Down Under wasn’t chosen at random.
The contest’s organisers revealed they allowed the Antipodean nation into the event because Eurovision is absolutely huge in the country. The Australian network SBS had been broadcasting the contest for more than 30 years at that point.
Australia’s entry was Guy Sebastian, who scored an impressive 196 points, with the country coming in fifth. The Aussies were invited back the following year and nearly ended up winning the whole thing, just losing out to Ukraine!
14. UKRAINE BAN RUSSIA FROM PERFORMING – 2017
Despite being promoted as a non-political event, Eurovision was mired in geo-political controversy in 2017 when the host nation, Ukraine, banned Russia’s entry, Yulia Samoylova, from entering the country because she had previously performed in the Russia-occupied region of Crimea.
A few weeks later, Russia decided to pull out of the contest completely, with the Russian TV station Channel One announcing that it would not broadcast the contest or take part.
15. STAGE INVADER RUINS UK’S SURIE’S PERFORMANCE – 2018
A fan invades the stage during the performance of SuRie at the 63rd annual Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon
The UK’s SuRie was performing ninth on the billing of 26 entries at last year’s competition when she was rudely interrupted.
Half-way through her performance of Storm, a stage invader ran on, took her microphone and shouted: ‘For the Nazis of the UK media, we demand freedom,’ before being tackled by security.
SuRie opted to carry on with her performance and had to wait for a new microphone to be brought to her.
Despite coming in 24th out of 26th, SuRie was praised by everyone for her professionalism, with Graham Norton describing her as a ‘national heroine’.
16. WINNERS DENY TAKING DRUGS – 2021
David (second left), the lead singer of Maneskin has said that he is ‘really offended’ after speculation from viewers that he was taking cocaine during the Eurovision live final
In 2021, Damiano David from Italy’s winning Eurovision band Maneskin denied taking cocaine following suggestions that he was caught on camera taking drugs during the broadcast.
Damiano said: ‘Thomas (guitarist Thomas Raggi) broke a glass … I don’t use drugs, please guys, do not say that.’
17. RAUNCHY ACTS – 2024
Fans have slammed this year’s Eurovision contest for being too ‘provocative’, including the UK’s Olly Alexander (centre)
Eurovision fans have blasted this year’s song contest for being too ‘provocative’ and ‘raunchy’, claiming that the prestigious show is now pandering to Gen Z audiences with flashy ‘X Factor’ style semi-finals.
Fans of the competition, which will be hosted in Malmo, Sweden this year, have been critical of acts including Slovenia’s scantily clad Raiven and Olly Alexander for outfits and dance routines that aren’t ‘family friendly’.
Olly is representing the United Kingdom with his catchy tune Dizzy, and performed the song with plenty of raunchy dance moves.
Ireland’s entry Bambie Thug, 31, a non-binary artist from County Cork has also been criticised for their performance which sees them joined on stage by a male dancer wearing demonic makeup and fake teeth.
Some Eurovision fans tuning into the semi-finals have been left aghast by the adult content on display in the build up to the event and criticised organisers and performers for not reading the room.
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