Switzerland Eurovision Song Contest(Image: AP)Austria has been crowned the winner of Eurovision 2025 after a dramatic and politically charged contest in Basel, Switzerland.
The country’s act, singer JJ, secured a commanding victory at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with a total of 436 points, seeing off fierce competition from Israel, who finished second with 357 points despite a mixed reception and protests.
The United Kingdom suffered another dismal result, picking up just 88 points from the judges and, for the second time, receiving zero points from the public.
British hopefuls Remember Monday performed their genre-bending track “What the Hell Just Happened?”, hoping to bounce back after Olly Alexander’s disappointing showing last year. But public support failed to materialise, adding to the UK’s long-running Eurovision woes.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Yuval Raphael delivered a performance that sparked controversy and disruption. Two audience members were reportedly ejected and handed over to police after rushing the stage and hitting a crew member with paint during her set.
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Raphael, a survivor of the Nova Festival massacre on October 7, 2023 — where she hid under bodies for eight hours during the Hamas terror attack — received a “slightly mixed reception,” according to BBC commentator Graham Norton.
Video footage appeared to show boos and jeers from parts of the standing audience as Raphael took to the stage. Local police have confirmed that two individuals were removed from the venue for attempted stage invasion.
Yuval Raphael from Israel(Image: AP)Despite the tense atmosphere, the contest went ahead with its usual flair, humour and spectacle. Returning to his much-loved presenting duties after major surgery, Graham Norton provided his trademark wit and dry commentary throughout the night.
Norton had viewers in stitches as he compared Ukraine’s act Ziferblat to “a young Margaret Thatcher” during his intro to the track Bird of Pray.
“Graham Norton giving us an unexpected but welcome cross in the ‘Mention of Maggie Thatcher’ box for Eurovision Bingo,” joked one fan on X, @smcarthyplc.
Another viewer, @davidbroone51, added: “Loved Graeme’s comment before Ukraine the guy looks like a teenage Margaret Thatcher he’s no wrong funny eyebrows [sic].”
Norton didn’t stop there — comparing Italy’s entry, Lucio Corsi, to the “child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” sending social media into meltdown.
Remember Monday took to the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland to represent the UK. And as the camera cut to the audience following Israel’s controversial performance, Norton added: “Not sure how it sounded at home” — a line many interpreted as a subtle suggestion that the crowd’s reaction may have been edited for broadcast.
The show wasn’t without its surprises, with Finland’s comedy-music trio KAJ — the early bookies’ favourites — storming through the first semi-final with their sauna-themed song Bara Bada Bastu.
Celine Dion, who won Eurovision for Switzerland in 1988, appeared in a special pre-recorded message during the second semi-final, fuelling rumours she may return to the stage in future contests.
Sadly for Norton, his home country Ireland didn’t make it to the final, failing to earn enough public votes in the second semi-final.
Despite the drama and division, Eurovision 2025 proved once again to be a show full of emotion, spectacle, and surprises — with Austria’s JJ taking home the trophy and the UK left to reflect on another bruising result.