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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Eurovision acts poised for final | Eurovision acts poised for final |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Moscow later, with 25 countries aiming for glory. | The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Moscow later, with 25 countries aiming for glory. |
| The UK will be represented by Jade Ewen, who is singing Andrew Lloyd Webber's song It's My Time. | The UK will be represented by Jade Ewen, who is singing Andrew Lloyd Webber's song It's My Time. |
| Norway's singer and violinist Alexander Rybak is the bookmakers' favourite to win, closely followed by Greece, Turkey, Azerbaijan and the UK. | Norway's singer and violinist Alexander Rybak is the bookmakers' favourite to win, closely followed by Greece, Turkey, Azerbaijan and the UK. |
| Graham Norton will make his debut as commentator for the BBC, replacing Sir Terry Wogan, who bowed out last year. | Graham Norton will make his debut as commentator for the BBC, replacing Sir Terry Wogan, who bowed out last year. |
| 'Greatest talents' | 'Greatest talents' |
| Speaking in the Russian capital, Norton revealed that he had spoken to his predecessor, who commentated on every Eurovision final from 1980. | Speaking in the Russian capital, Norton revealed that he had spoken to his predecessor, who commentated on every Eurovision final from 1980. |
| "Terry rang me to wish me good luck," said the TV presenter. "He advised me to resist having a drink until the fifth song," he added. | "Terry rang me to wish me good luck," said the TV presenter. "He advised me to resist having a drink until the fifth song," he added. |
| EUROVISION FAVOURITES Norway - 4/5Greece - 11/2Azerbaijan - 12/1Turkey (pictured) - 12/1United Kingdom - 12/1 Source: Ladbrokes | EUROVISION FAVOURITES Norway - 4/5Greece - 11/2Azerbaijan - 12/1Turkey (pictured) - 12/1United Kingdom - 12/1 Source: Ladbrokes |
| Andrew Lloyd Webber, who will play the piano for Ewen during her performance, said: "I really do believe that Jade is one of the greatest talents I have had the privilege of working with." | Andrew Lloyd Webber, who will play the piano for Ewen during her performance, said: "I really do believe that Jade is one of the greatest talents I have had the privilege of working with." |
| He has downplayed the UK's chances of winning, but bookmakers and song contest pundits are confident that the country's last place in 2008 will not be repeated. | He has downplayed the UK's chances of winning, but bookmakers and song contest pundits are confident that the country's last place in 2008 will not be repeated. |
| The UK will be among five countries who pre-qualified for the final and whose acts have not yet been seen. | |
| France - represented by renowned singer Patricia Kaas, Spain and host nation Russia are among them. | France - represented by renowned singer Patricia Kaas, Spain and host nation Russia are among them. |
| Germany's entry features US cabaret artist Dita Von Teese, who used to be married to rock star Marilyn Manson. | Germany's entry features US cabaret artist Dita Von Teese, who used to be married to rock star Marilyn Manson. |
| Other countries faring well in the odds include Malta, whose representative Chiara has competed in two previous occasions. | Other countries faring well in the odds include Malta, whose representative Chiara has competed in two previous occasions. |
| For the first time, voting in the final will be split between televoting and panels of musical experts, which is thought may reduce the incidence of predictable and neighbourly votes. | For the first time, voting in the final will be split between televoting and panels of musical experts, which is thought may reduce the incidence of predictable and neighbourly votes. |
| The panels are expected to look for song quality and musical performance over dance routines and props. | The panels are expected to look for song quality and musical performance over dance routines and props. |
| Coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK begins at 2000 BST on BBC One. | Coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK begins at 2000 BST on BBC One. |