The Eurovision Song Contest returns, this year hosted in Basel, Switzerland.
Representing the UK is Remember Monday, a country-pop trio performing their song, “What The Hell Just Happened.”
The Eurovision Song Contest, an annual competition organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), is set for a momentous return.
The 2025 edition’s theme, “Welcome Home,” commemorates the contest’s inaugural event in Switzerland in 1956.
Original songs, no longer than three minutes, must not have been publicly released or performed before September 1, 2024.
Live vocals are mandatory, excluding lip-syncing and auto-tune, with a maximum of six performers (singers and dancers).
The grand final will be held at St. Jakobshalle in Basel on Saturday, May 17.
The event will air live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 20:00 BST, hosted by Graham Norton.
Listen live on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, with Scott Mills and Rylan Clark as hosts.
International coverage within the arena will be presented by Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer, and Michelle Hunziker.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor will announce the UK’s jury results, following actor Ncuti Gatwa’s withdrawal.
Thirty-seven countries participate in Eurovision 2025—all but one from last year’s contest in Malmö, Sweden.
Montenegro returns after a hiatus since 2022, replacing Moldova, which withdrew due to financial and logistical constraints.
While predominantly European, Australia participates annually, invited for Eurovision’s 60th anniversary in 2015 (though cannot host if victorious).
Non-European countries like Israel participate as EBU members.
Russia remains banned since 2022, following its invasion of Ukraine.
Switzerland hosts after Nemo’s victory in 2024 with “The Code,” and will perform as a guest, despite voicing concerns about artist support in 2024.
This marks Switzerland’s third Eurovision hosting; their entry this year is Zoë Më with “Voyage.”
The “Big Five” (UK, Italy, Spain, France, Germany), providing significant financial support, automatically qualify for the final, alongside Switzerland, honoring last year’s win.
Céline Dion, Switzerland’s 1988 winner, sent a pre-recorded message for the first semi-final (May 13), celebrating the contest’s return to Basel.
These countries qualified from the first semi-final:
The following countries qualified from the second semi-final:
Girl band Remember Monday (Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull, Charlotte Steele) will perform “What The Hell Just Happened,” a harmonious pop song.
Formed in Farnborough, Hampshire, they appeared on “The Voice” (2019). Lauren and Holly-Anne have also starred in West End productions.
They aim to improve the UK’s recent standings, following Olly Alexander and Mae Muller’s lower-placing finishes in 2024 and 2023 respectively.
Over 70 former Eurovision contestants, including Mae Muller, signed an open letter demanding Israel’s broadcaster KAN be banned, citing alleged complicity in the Gaza conflict.
Eurovision, maintaining its non-political stance, has resisted these calls.
Yuval Raphael, Israel’s contestant, anticipates boos during her performance.
Israel’s participation sparked controversy last year, with Eden Golan facing similar reactions and large pro-Palestinian protests.
Golan altered “Hurricane’s” lyrics, removing references to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
Raphael’s last major event, Israel’s Nova festival, was attacked on October 7, resulting in over 360 deaths.
The October 7 attacks in Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has led to over 53,000 deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Each country receives two sets of scores: jury and public vote.
Public voting (maximum 20 points per country) is via phone, SMS, or app, excluding home country votes.
Countries rank their top 10, awarding 12-1 points accordingly.
Non-participating countries’ votes combine into a “rest of the world” vote.
The mysterious rock group reach the top spot with their latest, even in Arcadia.
One fan said it was ‘difficult to imagine his life’ without the Eurovision Song Contest.
Maria, 16, runs the dance studio in Plymouth while balancing her studies.
The 11-year-old from Chorleywood is in Berlin to represent her country in the competition.
Damon Jeffery says fans have visited the pub from all over the UK after the star’s surprise gig.