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Countries vying for Eurovision glory | Countries vying for Eurovision glory |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Eurovision Song Contest is under way in the Swedish city of Malmo as 26 countries compete in front of millions of TV viewers. | The Eurovision Song Contest is under way in the Swedish city of Malmo as 26 countries compete in front of millions of TV viewers. |
Denmark's Emmelie de Forest is the favourite to win with Only Teardrops. | Denmark's Emmelie de Forest is the favourite to win with Only Teardrops. |
Singer Bonnie Tyler, best known for her 1983 hit Total Eclipse of the Heart, performed the UK entry Believe in Me half way through the contest. | |
France's Amandine Bourgeois was the first act to take the stage. | France's Amandine Bourgeois was the first act to take the stage. |
Tyler claims she has "a fighting chance" of becoming the first British winner in 16 years, but bookmakers William Hill revealed her current odds stand at 50/1. | Tyler claims she has "a fighting chance" of becoming the first British winner in 16 years, but bookmakers William Hill revealed her current odds stand at 50/1. |
Denmark has odds of 4/6 to win the contest, with its closest competition coming from Norway and Ukraine. | Denmark has odds of 4/6 to win the contest, with its closest competition coming from Norway and Ukraine. |
"Emmelie looks very hard to beat and she could spark the biggest payout in the Eurovision's long and distinguished history," said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams. | "Emmelie looks very hard to beat and she could spark the biggest payout in the Eurovision's long and distinguished history," said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams. |
"Normally we see a patriotic punt on the Eurovision, but it looks like the public have given up on our chances and Bonnie is simply friendless," he added. | "Normally we see a patriotic punt on the Eurovision, but it looks like the public have given up on our chances and Bonnie is simply friendless," he added. |
Welsh star Tyler, 61, performed in 15th place, midway through the show - giving her a clear advantage over Engelbert Humperdinck, who opened the contest last year in Azerbaijan, and ultimately finished in penultimate place. | |
"I'm lucky with my fans, they're very loyal to me," she told the BBC ahead of the contest. "They all reckon they're going to vote, so I hope they're going to - I think it will help boost my chances." | |
But she added: "I'm not counting my chickens. I hope I will have a respectable score but if I don't, I've been in this business too long to take it personally." | But she added: "I'm not counting my chickens. I hope I will have a respectable score but if I don't, I've been in this business too long to take it personally." |
Newcomer Ryan Dolan performs Ireland's entry, Only Love Survives, in the coveted final slot, after qualifying from the semi-finals in Malmo earlier in the week. | Newcomer Ryan Dolan performs Ireland's entry, Only Love Survives, in the coveted final slot, after qualifying from the semi-finals in Malmo earlier in the week. |
Britain is one of the "big five" countries along with Germany, France, Spain and Italy, which automatically qualify for the final. | Britain is one of the "big five" countries along with Germany, France, Spain and Italy, which automatically qualify for the final. |
The remaining 21 spots were filled by the highest scoring countries from two semi-final heats held this week. | The remaining 21 spots were filled by the highest scoring countries from two semi-final heats held this week. |
A number of countries have withdrawn from the competition citing financial woes. Bosnia-Hercegovina, Portugal and Slovakia pulled out over money, while Turkey withdrew after complaining about the automatic inclusion of the big five. | A number of countries have withdrawn from the competition citing financial woes. Bosnia-Hercegovina, Portugal and Slovakia pulled out over money, while Turkey withdrew after complaining about the automatic inclusion of the big five. |
The contest will be broadcast in the UK on BBC One and BBC Radio 2 from 20:00 GMT (22:00 local time). | The contest will be broadcast in the UK on BBC One and BBC Radio 2 from 20:00 GMT (22:00 local time). |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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