UKRAINE’S Kalush Orchestra made an impassioned plea to free people still trapped in the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol.
It came after they performed in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, where bookmakers tip them to win.
The band’s frontman, Oleh Psiuk told the 7,500-strong audience: “I ask all of you, please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Avostal, right now,”
Many of them gave the band a standing ovation in front of a global television audience of millions.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Eurovision hopeful Sam Ryder took to the stage with an upbeat performance of his uplifting pop song Space Man.
The 32-year-old Tik Tok star is one of 25 acts vying for the top prize during the climax of the week-long contest in Turin, Italy.
He took to the stage in a dazzling one-piece encrusted with planets, moons, plus stars made of beads and pearls.
Concluding his set, the singer said: “Shine brightly my friends. Thank you all.”
Read our Eurovision 2022 live blog below for the latest updates…
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UK leading scroeboard after jury votes
Is this actually a dream?
But be warned, the TV vote could change everything!
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AJ Odudu giving UK results from Manchester
Get in! It’s Aj Odudu!
We have given 12 points to Sweden.
Thankfully it didnt out their points over ours.
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UK now on 247 points
We just got 10 from Croatia.
Sweden number 2, Spain number 3 and Croatia in at number 4.
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12 points from France!
Yes, the French have given us the top marks!
Could this be the UK’s first win in decades?
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UK currently on 152 points
Sweden and Spain are VERY close behind.
Bit of a disappointing score from Italy – just a 3 for the UK for them.
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UK gets 12 points from Sweden and Germany
Uk gets 10 points from Spain.
We got 12 points from Sweden
Germany gave us 12 points too.
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More good news for UK
Malta have given the UK another 8.
Ukraine has given us 12.
Big news!
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Sam Ryder off to a good start
Sam Ryder has been given four points for his track Space Man.
He also garnered 8 points from San Marino.
North Macedonia have scored us 8.
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The lines are now closed
The results will be counted as of now.
Who will be the winner of this year’s contest?
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Presenter Mika returns with Medley
He’s not great at presenting, but he certainly knows how to pefrom on stage.
He was strutting on top of a piano covered in lights – wearing a white suit adorned with bright flower pattern.
Lebanese-born British singer-songwriter Mika performs during an interlude at the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2022Credit: AFP -
Sam Ryder delivers upbeat performance of Space Man
The UK’s Eurovision hopeful, Sam Ryder, has taken to the stage with an upbeat performance of his uplifting pop song Space Man.
The 32-year-old Tik Tok star is one of 25 acts vying for the top prize during the climax of the week-long contest in Turin, Italy.
He took to the stage in a dazzling one piece encrusted with planets, moons and stars made of beads and pearls.
Ryder was the 22nd act to perform, playing a guitar mid-show in front of a crowd of 7,000 fans at the Pala Olympica arena who sang along.
Concluding his set, the singer said: “Shine brightly my friends. Thank you all.”
Graham Norton, who is once again anchoring the contest on BBC One, said: “What a powerhouse performance. You can’t ask for much more than that.
“There is a sea of Union Jack flags.”
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Måneskin are back with Supermodel
Yes, last year’s winners are back with a new hit.
Italy’s Måneskin are performing Supermodel – anew disco tinged rock ditty suny in English language.
The crowd are loving it – but what happened to Zitti E Buoni?
Shortly they’ll be giving us a taste of a song they’ve written for Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis biopic.
Maneskin performs during an interlude at the final of the Eurovision Song contestCredit: AFP -
Serbia’s bid for weirdest song of the night – but it has a powerful message
Lots of handwashing in Serbia’s entry tonight.
Konstrakta mentions Meghan Markle in the song.
But the lyrics to ‘In corpore sano’ have a deeper meaning about the state of the healthcare system in Serbia.
Konstrakta from Serbia singing her politically charged In Corpore SanoCredit: AP -
Poland’s entry sounds like Rag’N’Bone Man
Poland’s entry is really impressive, with a mix of trip hop beats and powerful baritone and fal,setto vocals.
Ochman’s powerful ballad Rivver was flanked by lighting effects and ghostly dancers
It sounds somewhat like British chart topper Rag’N’Bone Man.
Singer Ochman performs on behalf of Poland during the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2022Credit: AFP
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Sam Ryder gives performance of his life
Our hopeful Sam Ryder has just rocked the stage.
The corwd absolutely loved his hit Space Man.
His epic power-ballad resonated with the crowd as they whooped and cheered for him.
Could it be Sam’s night tonight?
Singer Sam Ryder performs at the Pala Alpitour venue in TurinCredit: AFP -
Sam Ryder about to take to the stage
Could it be ourt first win this century?
C’mon Sam – let’s go!
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Australia’s emotional performance
Sheldon Riley who first found fame on The Voice Australia ha sjust deluvered a powerful, tearful performance.
Giant steps? A 40 kilo white outfit made of ostrich feathers? A Swarowski crystal mask and hand jewels?
It can only be Eurovision.
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Kalush Orchestra makes plea for city of Mariupol
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra on Saturday made a plea for the city of Mariupol and its Azovstal plant at the end of their appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest.
“Please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Azovstal right now,” lead singer Oleh Psiuk shouted from the front of the stage in the Italian city of Turin after the band performed its song “Stefania”.
Russian forces have been constantly bombarding the steelworks in the southern port of Mariupol, the last bastion of hundreds of Ukrainian defenders in a city almost completely controlled by Russia after more than two months of a siege.
Kalush Orchestra are tipped to win the annual song contest, watched by an international television audience expected to approach 200 million, helped by a wave of public sympathy after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.
In a video address released before the event, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he believed the Kalush Orchestra would win.
“Europe, vote for Kalush Orchestra, (song) No 12! Let’s support our fellow countrymen! Let’s support Ukraine!” he said, clenching his fist.
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Moldova bring the folk rap
You thohght Ukraine brought an infusion of folk and rap?
Think again – Moldova have take it to the next level.
Featuring actual accordion players and the rather irrrestible rap “hey ho, let’s go”.
Still, people seemed to love it!
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Fans love Ukraine’s entry
There have been many plaudits for Ukraine’s powerful song this evening.
The folk-dance band stirred up a lot of plaudits on Twitter.
One wrote: “Ukraine should win Eurovision ngl!”
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Ukraine delivers powerful message during grand final
Folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra performed an impressive rendition of their song Stefania in the grand final of Eurovision.
The Ukrainian act is the favourite to win currently, having been frontrunners since Russia’s invasion – which prompted organisers to ban the country from competing.
The group was dressed in elaborate outfits, including long multi-coloured fringed ensembles, a pink bucket hat and others in traditional patterns.
They are one of 25 acts vying for the top prize following the week-long contest in Turin, Italy.
Their performance, which combined rap and Ukrainian folklore, went down well with the audience of 7,000 in the Pala Olimpico, who cheered the group on with many waving Ukrainian flags.
At the end of the performance, which included break-dancing, the group thanked everyone for supporting Ukraine.
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Azerbaihjan brings steunning mega-ballad
Nadir Rustamli is performing Fade To Black for Azerbaihjan.
He’s singing about his former self in a damning, personal balad taht conencts with the soul.
The powerful mega-ballad features the first big steps of the evening.
Our first Big Steps of the evening, and a powerful mega-ballad
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Eurovision audience sing along in unison at Italy’s performance
The audience at the grand final of the Eurovision song contest sang along with Italy’s entrant Mahmood and Blanco, who gave an emotional performance singing Brividi.
Graham Norton, who is once again anchoring the contest on BBC One, said: “Wow that is stunning.
“The whole Pala Olimpico was singing along with every word, I cannot overstate what a hit the song is.”
Reigning Eurovision Song Contest champion Italian rock band Maneskin will be taking to the stage to perform their new single Supermodel.
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Germany’s song pretty forgetable
Germany has taken to the stage with Malik Harris playing Rockstars.
It’s cheesy, watery Eminem style rap just didn’t help the wishy washy nature of the track.
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