Delta Goodrem shines at Eurovision final
LIVE – Updated at 22:11
The UK’s eccentric contestant Look Mum No Computer competed against Israel’s controversial delegate and favorite-to-win Finland in the Eurovision grand final on Saturday night – with Australia’s Delta Goodrem emerging as another major contender.
All eyes were on the UK’s entry, real name Sam Battle, with viewers sharing scathing verdicts to social media in response to his eccentric performance of “Eins, Zwei, Drei”.
Meanwhile, Australia is pinning its hopes on pop star Goodrem and her song “Eclipse”. Chat show star Graham Norton is providing his usual barbed commentary on BBC One and BBC iPlayer - he branded Goodrem the “one to beat” shortly before her dazzling performance, which received a rapturous reception from the live audience.
Controversy continues over Israel’s participation with entry Noam Bettan, which prompted five countries to withdraw from the contest in protest.
Check out the running order ahead of time and make sure you know how to vote!
Follow the latest updates below...
Eurovision 2026 key points
How to vote in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final
The online reactions to Look Mum No Computer are pretty brutal: 'The worst UK entry ever'
Why Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is so controversial
Meet Dara, the singer representing Bulgaria at Eurovision 2026
Graham Norton’s best ever Eurovision commentary
Fantastic effort from Norway!
22:11
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Roisin O'Connor
I’ll be very surprised if this doesn’t end up at least in the top 10, if not the top five, it’s SO catchy and Jonas Lovv is one of the most charismatic performers in this competition.
‘Ya Ya Ya!’ Meet Jonas Lovv, the rock singer representing Norway at Eurovision 2026
22:08
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Roisin O'Connor
‘Ya Ya Ya!’ Meet Jonas Lovv, the rock singer representing Norway at Eurovision 2026
Italy's Sal Da Vinci hopes to charm the voters
22:02
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Roisin O'Connor
Again, a lot of people seem to be down on old Sal, but I really love him. He’s the king of the kind of pop you still hear all over the radio in Italy, and apparently one of his other songs is one of the most-played at weddings around the country.
This is a bop, I think, and I hope he does well, I think he’s delightful.
If you're a Love Island fan, no, you're not hallucinating
21:58
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Roisin O'Connor
Yes, that is Antigoni Buxton, who appeared in series eight of the reality show in 2022, representing Cyprus with her dancefloor track “JALLA”.
She told the BBC that she’s wanted to be a singer since she can remember, and actually - competing on a reality show was the weird career move.
“I had an obsession with Eurovision ever since I saw Helena Paparizou win for Greece [in 2005],” she said.
“Love Island was a great moment because it gave me the chance to introduce myself to a lot of people and now I'm on that path I always wanted to be on.”
Bland performances from Poland and Lithuania
21:50
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Roisin O'Connor
I should have said this earlier but my colleague who was supposed to be on Eurovision duty with me tonight is off sick, so I’m flying solo - I’m sure you can imagine that this is QUITE the task given how fast everything moves during the song contest. But I am trying my hardest to keep up.
Fortunately, these two next performances aren’t too demanding - neither Poland or Lithuania are giving us much to write home about.
I’m looking forward to Sweden, though, who have delivered the most Swedish of all bangers. Max Martin would be proud, I think.
Finland going down a storm in the arena
21:41
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Roisin O'Connor
Trying to avoid making some kind of inappropriate pun involving Pete and violins, struggling...
Also I like the weird confession booth bursting into flames, what on earth did he say?!
Here's Finland, who I think have a lot to do to win over the Delta fans
21:38
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Roisin O'Connor
.... but this fascinating background on the Finnish entry might help?
The dark tale driving Eurovision 2026’s favourite towards glory
"It ain't over til it's MOLDOVA"
21:37
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Roisin O'Connor
My older bro just texted me this and said I could steal it for the liveblog, so I have.
Just about recovered in time for Moldova
21:34
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Roisin O'Connor
Another fave, my bae, here’s Satoshi with the nuts “Viva, Moldova!”, another big crowd-pleaser. I bet this one is going OFF at the Vienna arena.
The online reactions to Look Mum No Computer are pretty brutal: 'The worst UK entry ever'
21:28
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Roisin O'Connor
Here’s a smattering of what viewers are saying on social media:
Is it over? Can I look now?
21:25
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Roisin O'Connor
Oh gawd, he really tried, bless him, but that was pretty horrendous.
Here we go... it's the UK's Look Mum No Computer
21:21
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Roisin O'Connor
And not a good start as he’s about half a second behind the beat, NO!!!!
Another personal favourite, it's LELEK!
21:18
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Roisin O'Connor
I am fascinated by this group, who are certainly one of the most unique entries in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The harmonies are fantastic, and this mythical staging is really doing it for me - if you’re in any way a fan of fantasy books / films / TV shows then this will really do it for you.
They’re smashing their performance, thrilling.
Meet Dara, the singer representing Bulgaria at Eurovision 2026
21:17
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Roisin O'Connor
Meet Dara, the singer representing Bulgaria at Eurovision 2026
Czechia hit by technical issues
21:12
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Roisin O'Connor
Daniel Zizka’s performance of “CROSSROADS” was seemingly hit by quite a few technical issues, including a distorted picture on the screen - Mr Norton also seems to think that the crew member operating the mirrors might have fallen? Oh dear. He did very well though!
Malta popular with the live audience
21:08
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Roisin O'Connor
I find AIDAN’s performance of “Bella” too bland, and a tad smug, is that unfair?! He’s a fine singer, very charming, but it tips into crowd-pleasing for me and I’m not buying it.
How Australian pop star Delta Goodrem went from Neighbours to cancer ordeal to Eurovision darling
21:05
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Roisin O'Connor
How Australia’s Delta Goodrem went from Neighbours to cancer struggle to Eurovision
What to say about Serbia?
21:02
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Roisin O'Connor
I mean... this is way better than their semi-final performance, I’m quite enraptured. But it’s still giving Temu Nosferatu, if you ask me.
OK, LET'S GO AUSTRALIA
20:54
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Roisin O'Connor
If you know, you know. Delta is the one to beat this year, her performance is quite simply spell-binding. Graham Norton points out that this would be a very fitting time to win given Australia made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.
A lovely effort from Ukraine...
20:50
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Roisin O'Connor
Beautiful voice, kudos to LELÉKA performing her song “Ridnym”, and apparently she held that note for 28 seconds which is WILD, but again, it’s not blown my mind. Predicting a place somewhere near the middle for her.
Greece’s Eurovision 2026 entry Akylas wrote song ‘Ferto’ about ‘greed and overconsumption’
20:42
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Roisin O'Connor
OK now it’s one of my absolute faves, Greece’s Akylas, and I got to chat to him before the Eurovision Song Contest kicked off last week:
Greece’s Eurovision 2026 entry Akylas wrote song ‘Ferto’ about ‘overconsumption’
My verdict of Albania's Alis and his song “Nân”
20:39
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Roisin O'Connor
I’m very confused about this giant lady looming over him but I want to assume it’s his mother? This is INCREDIBLY dramatic, and I don’t hate it - Alis is wearing a sort of contemporary knight’s chainmail, super bling. He’s got a superb voice too, quite operatic at points.
Belgium next with a potential upset...
20:35
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Roisin O'Connor
I think Belgium might do very well this year thanks to ESSYLA’s broody dance track “Dancing on the Ice”. She’s got a fantastic stage presence, the song is incredibly catchy too.
Israel's Noam Bettan takes to the stage
20:30
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Roisin O'Connor
Israel’s entry this year is 28-year-old Noam Bettan, singing the ballad “Michelle”, which includes lyrics performed in three different languages.
Why Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is so controversial
20:28
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Roisin O'Connor
Why Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is so controversial
Atmosphere around Vienna is 'very muted'
20:24
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Roisin O'Connor
My sources on the ground in Vienna tell me the atmosphere around town is “very muted”, possibly because everything is more spread out than it is in Basel, which hosted last year’s contest.
Some are watching in local cinemas or bars, including fans who were camping outside from 3pm this afternoon to get tickets.
The first set of performances are kicking off
20:22
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Roisin O'Connor
We’re starting with Denmark’s Søren Torpegaard Lund and his song “Før Vi Går Hjem”. I’m not convinced this will do much to sway voters - he was a bookies’ favourite but performing in first place is tough! You have to be really memorable, and I don’t believe he is. Then there’s Germany - fun fact, no one performing in second place has ever won Eurovision. Cursed? We’ll see, but I also really dislike Germany’s entry Sarah Engels and her song “Fire”, the lyrics are AWFUL. After that it’s Israel, so you can probably expect some booing from members of the audience... Belgium’s ESSLYA was a big hit with the live crowd in the first semi-final, thanks to an impressive vocal performance and evocative staging. Going fifth is Albanian delegate Alis with “Nân”.
VIDEO: UK entry Look Mum No Computer rehearses
20:20
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Roisin O'Connor
How to vote in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final
20:15
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Roisin O'Connor
How to vote in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final
JJ's mic was ON
20:10
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Roisin O'Connor
Austrian champion JJ has been putting in the work in the last year, clearly, those vocals!!! Remarkable.
Now back to some more flag-waving... including from the UK’s Look Mum No Computer. Yay....
And now for the traditional flag parade...
20:07
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Roisin O'Connor
Delegates for each country come out with their nation’s flag, in the order in which they’ll be performing tonight. A mix of boos and cheers as Israel’s singer Noam Bettan arrived on stage - Israel are performing third this evening.
A stupendous performance from 2025 winner JJ to kick things off
20:04
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Roisin O'Connor
There are 10,000 Eurovision fans in the audience tonight, watching a ceremony opened by 2025 champion JJ and a full orchestra. All very dramatic, all very Austrian.
How Australian pop star Delta Goodrem went from Neighbours to cancer ordeal to Eurovision darling
20:03
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Roisin O'Connor
How Australia’s Delta Goodrem went from Neighbours to cancer struggle to Eurovision
OK here we go, it's the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final!
20:01
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Roisin O'Connor
Graham Norton and me are going to be competing for who can deliver the most cutting commentary.
Tonight's running order
19:50
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Roisin O'Connor
Wondering when your favourites will be performing? Wonder no more! Here’s the full running order for tonight’s final:
- Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund - “Før Vi Går Hjem”
- Germany: Sarah Engels - “Fire”
- Israel: Noam Bettan - “Michelle”
- Belgium: ESSYLA - “Dancing on the Ice”
- Albania: Alis - “Nân”
- Greece: Akylas - “Ferto”
- Ukraine: LELÉKA - “Ridnym”
- Australia: Delta Goodrem - “Eclipse”
- Serbia: LAVINA - “Kraj Mene”
- Malta: AIDAN - “Bella”
- Czechia: Daniel Zizka - “CROSSROADS”
- Bulgaria: DARA - “Bangaranga”
- Croatia: LELEK - “Andromeda”
- United Kingdom: LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER - “Eins, Zwei, Drei”
- France: Monroe - “Regarde!”
- Moldova: Satoshi - “Viva, Moldova!”
- Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen - “Liekinheitin”
- Poland: ALICJA - “Pray”
- Lithuania: Lion Ceccah - “Sólo Quiero Más”
- Sweden: FELICIA - “My System”
- Cyprus: Antigoni - “JALLA”
- Italy: Sal Da Vinci - “Per Sempre Sì”
- Norway: JONAS LOVV - “YA YA YA”
- Romania: Alexandra Căpitănescu - “Choke Me”
- Austria: COSMÓ - “Tanzschein”
A reminder of how to watch if you're at home...
19:46
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Roisin O'Connor
The BBC will be airing live coverage of the contest when it kicks off at 8pm UK time, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Less than 15 minutes to go!
The five countries that dropped out of Eurovision 2026
19:39
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Roisin O'Connor
Millions of fans across Europe (and Australia) will be tuning in to see if their nation’s act can bring home the Eurovision trophy on Saturday (16 May) – but five countries will be noticeably absent from this year’s song contest.
Amid a continued furore over the decision to allow Israel to compete, a number of countries – including one of the “Big Five” – have announced that they will not be taking part.
The event’s organisers, the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU), came under pressure to ban Israel from entering the competition in both 2024 and 2025 amid the war in Gaza. Both contests went ahead as planned but not without controversy.
Which countries have dropped out of Eurovision 2026 and why?
‘I’m used to being the underdog’ - Why Look Mum No Computer isn't fazed by British pessimism
19:20
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Roisin O'Connor
UK Eurovision entry Look Mum No Computer: ‘I’m happy to be an underdog’
My predictions ahead of tonight's grand final!
19:02
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Roisin O'Connor
OK I’m just going to say it now, I’ve called the winner each year for the past.... six contests?
The Eurovision fans in my life have been going on about Finland for weeks now, and I see why they’d be a hot favourite to win the competition - Eurovision audiences love a violin, the track has a rock edge, and the staging is great.
BUT, I am speaking to you as a longtime and diehard Delta Goodrem fan. I was OBSESSED with her debut album, Innocent Eyes - even back then I felt she had such a unique voice and way of expressing herself. Now having seen the full performance in the second semi-final, I’m convinced Delta is the one who can earn Australia its first ever victory.
Elsewhere, I think Greece, Armenia, Norway and Sweden will do well. As for the UK? I hate the song, but I think the staging and Look Mum No Computer himself could be zany enough to win audiences over. From the judges, I’m predicting another nul points disaster.
Go on, prove me wrong!
Protests over Israel take place in Vienna ahead of the Eurovision final
18:56
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Roisin O'Connor
A number of protests have taken place in Vienna this week over Israel’s participation in Eurovision.
Five countries - Ireland, Spain, Iceland, Slovenia and the Netherlands - are boycotting the event.
In the Austrian capital this week, hundreds of people gathered at Venediger Au, a park on the outskirts of Vienna, for a No Stage for Genocide event organised by Palestine Solidarity Austria.
“The European Song Contest claims to stand for solidarity, love, diversity, and everything, but in reality, this year’s contest is hosting Israel as a country which is right now committing a genocide in Gaza,” Marco Wanjura, part of the Palestine Solidarity Austria team, said.
“That’s why we wanted to show that the majority in Austria is actually against that.”
Israel has consistently denied that it is committing genocide in Gaza. In September 2025, a UN probe found that the country had committed a genocide in Gaza, concluding that it “flagrantly disregarded” international law and had “orchestrated a genocidal campaign for almost two years now”.
Has everyone got their snacks ready?
18:36
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Roisin O'Connor
I’m settling down with less than two hours to go before kick-off time, wondering if I order a pizza or if I stick with my cornflake clusters. Feeling like I’ve slightly failed on the snack front this year...
What’s everyone else having?
The dark tale driving Eurovision 2026’s favourite towards glory
18:27
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Roisin O'Connor
Eurovision has taken place under a darkening cloud of geopolitics in recent years, with Israel’s continued involvement sparking criticism and even boycotts. Nevertheless, it remains the world’s biggest platform for kooky, eccentric and downright bonkers acts.
But one of this year’s favourites is taking to the stage with a defiant fightback.
The dark tale driving Eurovision 2026’s favourite towards glory
Greece’s Eurovision 2026 entry Akylas wrote song ‘Ferto’ about ‘greed and overconsumption’
18:04
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Roisin O'Connor
The buzzy track was also a way for the singer to honour Akylas’s ‘mother's sacrifices and the journey from overcoming childhood financial struggles’.
Read my Q&A with him here:
Greece’s Eurovision 2026 entry Akylas wrote song ‘Ferto’ about ‘overconsumption’
Ireland to air Father Ted instead of Eurovision as it boycotts song contest over Israel
17:52
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Roisin O'Connor
Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTE, is set to replace the final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest with a classic episode of the comedy Father Ted , in a move highlighting growing international protest against Israel’s participation.
On Saturday night, RTE 2 will air “A Song For Europe”, the sitcom’s Eurovision-themed episode featuring priests Ted and Dougal performing “My Lovely Horse”.
This decision is part of a broader boycott, with Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia refusing to send competitors to the 70th iteration of the song competition and opting not to broadcast the final, citing Israel’s war in Gaza. The Netherlands and Iceland are also not sending acts to compete, but will still air the final.
Ireland to air Father Ted instead of Eurovision as it boycotts contest over Israel
Why Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is so controversial
17:27
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Roisin O'Connor
Five countries are boycotting the competition this year over Israel’s involvement. Here’s what you need to know:
Why Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is so controversial
Which countries have dropped out of Eurovision 2026 and why?
17:02
,
Roisin O'Connor
Millions of fans across Europe (and Australia) will be tuning in to see if their nation’s act can bring home the Eurovision trophy on Saturday (16 May) – but five countries will be noticeably absent from this year’s song contest.
Amid a continued furore over the decision to allow Israel to compete, a number of countries – including one of the “Big Five” – have announced that they will not be taking part.
My colleague Rachel reports:
Which countries have dropped out of Eurovision 2026 and why?
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