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Eurovision acts take centre stage Eurovision acts take centre stage
(20 minutes later)
Twenty-five acts are vying to win this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, one of the world's most colourful and coveted musical events. Twenty-five acts ranging from pop stars and rock bands to pensioners and pirates have performed at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade.
Former X Factor runner-up Andy Abraham, the UK's entrant, was second on the running order with his song Even If. Former talent show runner-up Andy Abraham represented the UK in front of 20,000 fans with his song Even If.
But he was rated as an outside chance at 80/1 by bookmakers before the event. Russian entry Dima Bilan was favourite. The other entrants included Latvian pirates, a Finnish heavy rock group and a 75-year-old Croatian rapper.
The show was opened in front of 20,000 fans at the Belgrade Arena by last year's winner Marija Serifovic. The favourites include Russia's Dima Bilan, whose song was produced by US R&B star Timbaland.
Lots of UK people dancing but I'm afraid to say he failed to make the arena rise to its feet The BBC's Fiona Pryor in Belgrade class="" href="/1/hi/entertainment/7403356.stm">Read live commentary from the crowd Swedish singer Charlotte Perrelli, who won the event in 1999, is another hot tip and could become the first female singer to win the title twice.
Terry Wogan, who is once again commentating for the BBC, said Abraham was "our best entry for years", adding: "He deserves to do well with that." Lots of UK people dancing but I'm afraid to say he failed to make the arena rise to its feet The BBC's Fiona Pryor in Belgrade class="" href="/1/hi/entertainment/7403356.stm">Read live commentary from the crowd Sweden was picked as the winner in a Europe-wide BBC poll before the event.
Abraham will hope to do better than last year's British entrants, Scooch, who came 22nd out of 24 with their song Flying The Flag.
The 20 countries that came through the semi-finals have joined hosts Serbia plus the UK, France, Germany and Spain - the contest's four biggest backers.
The other entrants included a band of Latvian pirates, a Finnish heavy rock group, a 75-year-old Croatian rapper and Azerbaijan's duo, who dressed as an angel and a devil.
Swedish fans got ready to cheer their entrant outside the arena
Among the more credible acts were respected French dance musician Sebastian Tellier and Russia's Dima Bilan, whose song was produced by US R&B star Timbaland.
Swedish singer Charlotte Perrelli, who won the event in 1999, could become the first female singer to win the title twice.
Sweden emerged as the favourite to win this year's contest in a Europe-wide BBC vote.
One Eurovision fan from each of the 43 countries in the contest at the start of the week chose their top 10 songs.One Eurovision fan from each of the 43 countries in the contest at the start of the week chose their top 10 songs.
Sweden were followed by Ukraine, Switzerland, Serbia and Russia.Sweden were followed by Ukraine, Switzerland, Serbia and Russia.
In the vote, Abraham was placed 33rd in a field of 43 songs.In the vote, Abraham was placed 33rd in a field of 43 songs.
Swedish fans got ready to cheer their entrant outside the arenaTerry Wogan, who is commentating for the BBC, said Abraham was "our best entry for years", adding: "He deserves to do well with that."
Abraham will hope to do better than last year's British entrants, Scooch, who came 22nd out of 24 with their song Flying The Flag.
The other acts included respected French dance musician Sebastian Tellier, who has worked with Daft Punk and Air.
The show was opened at the Belgrade Arena by last year's winner Marija Serifovic.
The 20 countries that came through the semi-finals have joined hosts Serbia plus the UK, France, Germany and Spain - the contest's four biggest backers.