Eurovision 2024 LIVE: Latest updates from Malmo after Dutch rapper Joost Klein is axed from contest and Ireland’s Bambie Thug misses final dress rehearsal – as Olly Alexander battles to win crown for UK

Five nations, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, automatically qualified for tonight’s final by virtue of belonging to the ‘Big 5’ – a group of nations who make the largest financial contributions to Eurovision’s organisers, the European Broadcasting Union.

Sweden also earned immediate passage after the singer Loreen won the competition while representing the country in Liverpool last year.

Ten countries qualified during the first semi-final on Tuesday with five countries missing out: Poland, Iceland, Moldova Azerbaijan and Australia.

While the remaining 10 entrants sealed their inclusion in the second semi-final contested on Thursday with six nations missing out: Malta, Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, San Marino and Belgium.

The Netherlands qualified in the second cohort but have since been disqualified.

Sweden will perform first in tonight’s running order with Olly Alexander and the UK 13th in the draw – fingers crossed it’ll prove lucky for some!

Let’s take a closer look at Olly Alexander – the man carrying the hopes of the United Kingdom tonight.

Born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Olly is a singer and actor who is also known for his LGBT activism.

He found fame as the lead singer of Years & Years, a London-based pop group, whose debut album Communion rose straight to the top of the UK album charts in 2015.

In 2018, the group’s second album, Palo Santo reached the top 10 following its release and the third and final album Night Call also reached number one. Last year, Alexander switched to performing under his own name.

As an actor, Olly starred in Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 drama It’s a Sin, which depicts gay life in the 1980s and early 1990s, and the onset of HIV/AIDS.

Olly was nominated for a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor following the show’s critical acclaim.

With Olly Alexander hoping to bring Eurovision success back to the United Kingdom for the first time since 1997, we looked at which countries traditionally have been favourable with handing out points to this country…and those that haven’t.

Our reporter Elizabeth Haigh reports how Britain’s record in the competition is mixed to say the least ranging from some genuine chart-toppers from artists like Lulu and Bucks Fizz to the complete embarrassment of nul points for pop duo Jemini.

In the run-up to tonight’s final, our reporter Zac Campbell has charted the UK’s Eurovision entries from the past decade from Sam Ryder’s finishing runner-up in 2022 to the joint-worst finishes in the history of the competition.

The United Kingdom has competed in Eurovision on 65 occasions, taking part in every contest since 1959.

One of the so-called ‘Big Five’ nations, alongside France, Germany, Spain and Italy, the UK gains automatic qualification to the final every year because it is one the largest contributors to the European Broadcasting Union.

Despite finishing in last place on four occasions including twice in the past five years (2019 and 2021) including latterly scoring “nul points” with James Newman, the UK remains one of the most successful countries in the competition.

Here are the UK’s five previous wins:

• 1967: Sandie Shaw – Puppet on a String
• 1969: Lulu Boom Bang-a-Bang (joint winner with France, Spain and The Netherlands)
• 1976: Brotherhood of Man – Save Your Kisses for Me
• 1981: Bucks Fizz (pictured above) – Making Your Mind Up
• 1997: Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine a Light

Ireland’s Bambie Thug and Marcus & Martinus, the Norweigan twins representing Sweden, can make history tonight if they lead their nation to an unprecedented eighth Eurovision victory.

Sweden will also be hoping for back to back success after Loreen (pictured) lifted the trophy in Liverpool last year.

Here’s a look at the best performing nations when it comes to Eurovision in which 15 countries have won more than once.

• 7 – Ireland and Sweden
• 5 – Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
• 4 – Israel
• 3 – Italy, Norway, Denmark and Ukraine
• 2 – Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Austria

With an hour to go before the Eurovision final kicks off, let’s take a look ahead to the competition itself and away from the controversy surrounding it which I’m sure we will return to later on this evening.

Bambie Thug has said that they raised “multiple complaints” with Eurovision Song Contest organisers about a commentator from the Israeli broadcaster delegation following them missing rehearsals on Saturday ahead of the final.

They wrote in an Instagram story:

I have raised multiple complaints to the EBU regarding instances I have experienced this week.

Earlier today they confirmed to my delegation in front of others that KAN’s commentator had broken the rules of conduct during the Eurovision semi-final.

I have been patiently waiting to hear what action is set to be taken by the EBU following this rule break. I have since seen a statement by EBU director general Noel Curran which contradicts this earlier confirmation.

I am still waiting for an official update from the EBU.

Eurovision organisers clarified earlier today that tonight’s running order will be unchanged following Dutch entrant Joost Klein’s disqualification.

Netherlands were scheduled to be number five.

In a statement, the organisers asked viewers not to attempt to vote for Netherlands and clarified that Dutch nationals will still be able to vote in the competition.

MailOnline has reported how the Eurovision final has been thrown into turmoil after a series of crises unraveled in Malmo before the grand final is scheduled to start at 8pm UK time.

So let’s recap the events that threaten to overshadow the contest:

• Dutch rapper Joost Klein axed after being questioned by Swedish police over incident allegedly involving female production crew
• Ireland’s Bambie Thug misses final dress rehearsal after explaining a ‘situation’ required ‘urgent attention’ from organisers European Broadcasting Union
• France’s entrant Slimane interrupted his own performance to say Eurovision should be ‘united for peace’ in protest over Israel
• Around 15,000 pro-Palestine protesters gather in Malmö to demand Israeli contestant Eden Golan be kicked out of the final

With two semi-finals held earlier this week and plenty of scrutiny in the build up to tonight’s final, let’s take a look at some of the Eurovision stories we’ve covered this week.

Here is a selection of stories we have published on our website including the storm surrounding Israeli-Russian singer Eden Golan (pictured):

Ireland’s entrant Bambie Thug has fulled doubts over whether they will perform at tonight’s final after pulling out of final rehearsals.

Eurovision organisers said they hoped the singer will take to the stage in Malmo later following a ‘situation’ that it hoped would be ‘resolved shortly’

A spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union said:

Bambie Thug did not perform in dress rehearsal three and the footage of their performance in dress rehearsal two was used in its place.

They missed the dress rehearsal due to a situation that is currently being discussed with the EBU and song contest organisers.

We hope that this will be resolved shortly and Bambie Thug will appear in the grand final show as planned.

With two hours to go before the final kicks off and excitement building across the UK and the continent, let’s take a look at some Eurovision superfans who have been pictured gathering in Malmo earlier today.

Let’s just recap that seismic development earlier today as Swedish police investigate Joost Klein over over an incident allegedly involving a female production crew member.

Amid already heightened tensions surrounding the contest with protests expected in Malmo over the inclusion of Israeli singer Eden Golan, the incident has drawn more attention even before the singers take to the stage.

It has been a dramatic day already in Malmo after Eurovision organisers disqualified Dutch contender Joost Klein (pictured) earlier today.

The 26-year-old singer and rapper was absent from two rehearsals on Friday and it has since emerged Swedish police are investigating a complaint allegedly made by a female member of the production crew.

It means 25 countries will now participate in tonight’s final which promises more entertainment with good, bad and downright bizarre performances ahead of us

Follow our blog as we guide you through the 68th edition of Eurovision which starts at 8pm UK time.

Viewers can watch the action on BBC One.