Eurovision final 2021 LIVE: Italy WINS as James Newman for the United Kingdom gets zero points
ITALY has won the Eurovision Song Contest with rock band Meneskin's Zitti E Buoni.
They are the first group to win the competition since 2006.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has received zero points from the public vote in the Eurovision final.
Singer James Newman stood up as the crowd cheered in the arena as the news was announced.
He received zero points from the juries too - meaning the song was the only song to receive nil points.
Italy will host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in one of its cities.
THANK THE GODS FOR GRAHAM NORTON
I suspect tonight's going to be a little bit twee what with everything going on.
So thankfully we've got Graham Norton ready for being savage and acid-tongued to those who fail to please him.
15 MINUTES TO GO
Time to get your snacks out, maybe order a pizza and find the will to go on for the next four hours.
FOUR HOURS.
FIRE STARTER
The hopes of the UK will be pinned on singer-songwriter James Newman — if he does not set fire to his trousers.
In a last minute U-turn, the 35-year-old brother of pop star John Newman decided to ditch the fancy gold outfit he wore in rehearsals in favour of something a bit more fireproof.
He told me: “The room literally lights up it’s so hot because we’ve got these massive flame-thrower things that come out of the ground and it’s really hot, but really fun.
“I’ve changed the gold outfit now. I wasn’t too happy about it so I’ve gone back to what I had before because I thought it looked a bit cooler — and it’s a bit more flame-resistant!”
NO HOLDEN BACK
AMANDA Holden looked incredible as she gave Ginger Spice a run for her money wile posing in the iconic Union Jack dress ahead of tonight’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The 50-year-old, who will deliver the results of the UK jury’s vote live from London, showed off her endless legs in the daring mini - in a nod to Geri Horner.
Sharing the shot, she wrote: “Looking forward to making 'un point' or two at #Eurovision tomorrow @christianvermaak.”
Speaking previously about landing the coveted job, in-demand Amanda said: “What an honour. I’m utterly thrilled. It’s an ambition ticked after 45 years of watching it.”
WHO'S HOSTING EUROVISION 2021?
Just in case you care - again a vlogger is one of the hosts this year (and I can't roll my eyes enough, frankly) here's who's going to be annoying us all between the music.
Chantal Janzen is a Dutch actress, singer and TV presenter - so why not host Eurovision?
Jan Smit is a Dutch singer and TV presenter - and also now a Eurovision host. He also does something with football, but that is nothing to do with tonight so moving on.
Edsilia Rombley is a Dutch singer and television presenter and once represented the country in Eurovision in 2007 so she makes sense and can stay.
Nikkie de Jager is one of the most popular beauty influencers around, with 12.8 million YouTube subscribers - and that apparently makes her qualified to host Eurovision.
They're no Petra Mede, are they?
DRINKING GAMES ARE NOT ENCOURAGED
But considering what we're coming out of - I suggest doing it with tea.
Decaf, obviously, some of us have to be up in the morning.
The rules are simple - every time there's a bad song, you take a sip.
So by about 8.20 you'll be on the 15th cup and spend the rest of the night running to the loo with a matter of urgency.
And when Flo Rida pops up, all bets are off. I still don't know what he's doing here.
NEVER MIND THE THEME
There's a logo too! And it's been described as - and I quote here - "simple, intelligent, minimalist and experimental".
Oh and "festive".
I can't say these are the first five words that popped into my mind when I first saw the logo, but I'm sure they would have arrived eventually.
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT
Well, here we are. Just 90 minutes away from the Eurovision extravaganza beginning in Rotterdam.
Now we do have to talk about this theme of 'Open Up'. It's not even a post-lockdown thing - it's just filth. Trust the Dutch.
Anyway there are representatives from 26 countries competing tonight from someone called Hooverphonic (I assume they enjoy vacuuming) and the actual Flo Rida (I assumed he's had a big gas bill).
Other things will be happening too - but let's not pre-load all our excitement in one go.
That said there is also a "beauty vlogger" part hosting the series so that might push me over the edge by about twenty to nine.
