'I worked at Eurovision Song Contest and here's what fans don't see on camera'
As Eurovision week reaches its climax ahead of the 2025 Grand Final in Basel this Saturday, a former volunteer has lifted the lid on what goes on behind the scenes of the competition.
Annika Mohlin, a 53 year old Eurovision superfan and leadership coach, jumped at the chance to volunteer when the contest came to her hometown of Malmö, Sweden in 2024.
She was delighted to be selected for the commentator service team, where she played a vital role in supporting commentators throughout the event.
In an interview with Betway, Annika offered a rare insight into the backstage world of Eurovision, revealing how she helped ensure hosts like Graham Norton had everything they needed during live shows and recalling the tense atmosphere when the Netherlands were disqualified in 2024.
When asked about the pre-show preparations, Annika explained that there's plenty of activity behind the scenes. She said: "I was put on the commentator service team, which was part of the backstage team. I think there were 10 or 12 of us working as commentator hosts, which technically means we were staffing the floor of the arena where the competition was held, where all the commentators sat and did their work," reports the Express.
"So, there were a lot of booths where each country had their space. They were quite small, so that's where they sat and commentated on the live shows.
"Our role was to provide them with anything they needed."
Delving into her role, the insider recounted her experience at Eurovision, detailing the responsibilities that came with the job, "So, making sure that there was coffee, refreshments, fruits, biscuits, and that it looked nice and clean. Another part of the role was to assist at the briefings."
Revealing the preparation that goes on behind the scenes, she said, "Ahead of every show, they all went to a big briefing where the television company went through what was going to happen. So, we organised the area with all the different briefing packs, everything they needed for those."
Discussing any high-pressure moments, she recalled, "The only thing that was a bit tense was when the Netherlands were disqualified. I think there were some question marks around that at the time. We weren't massively involved in it at all."
She added, regarding the disqualification, "We were just told they weren't going to be performing. It was more of a fact, and everyone was informed, and everyone moved on and kept going as there was no time to stop."
Looking ahead, the scoop has been confirmed that Remember Monday will fly the flag for the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. In addition, beloved presenter Graham Norton is set to return with his wit and charm to give the running commentary for UK viewers tuning in to the spectacle.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I was a telly star on X Factor & toured with Westlife performing to thousands but packed it all in to become a teacher
THIS former X Factor star has traded his pop star dreams in to become a teacher at a secondary school. In 2015, the Athlone native auditioned for Advertisement 2 Joe McCaul appeared on the X Factor in 2015 2 Joe and his sister Donna represented Ireland in the 2005 Eurovision Joe McCaul first found fame back in 2005 when himself and his sister, Donna, represented The sibling made it all the way to the semis with their catchy tune, You're A Star. However, after the duo failed to make it through the final round, Joe admitted: "I felt shame and embarrassment and rejection." The Irish singer added: "I thought we were the bees knees, but that didn't last for long, I thought we were going to be millionaires. Advertisement READ MORE IN TV "I thought I was going to be able to buy my mother out of the council estate. "We were being chauffered around in limousines and we were being given a fee by He continued: "But, I had to go back to playing in pubs and stuff and I used to drink a lot before the gigs." Fast forward to 2015 and Joe was approached with an opportunity to audition for The X Factor. Advertisement read more on the irish sun The He said: "They did lots of filming with me when I was over in Top 10 Funniest X-Factor moments "I was then invited to sing for the real judges at the time, it was Joe sang his own rendition of A Change Is Going To Come by Sam Cooke. Advertisement He recalled how Simon Cowell stopped his audition half way through and told him he was a "horrible performer". The musician confessed: "I just wanted that moment to be over there and then, but they asked me to sing another song and I went off stage." SWEET MOMENT Joe remembered how late TV host He gushed: "God love her, she was so, so kind and nice and helped me to pick a song and she was even singing it with me, which they never aired. Advertisement "But oh my God, Caroline had a gorgeous voice, she could really sing." Joe got through to boot camp after his second audition and said: "It was all very pressurised, very scripted, very staged. "The things that went on during the likes of X Factor were disgusting. Thankfully I didn't experience a lot of it." One particular moment stood out to Joe as his most "humiliating" experience on the show. Advertisement 'WORST TIME OF MY LIFE' He said: "I remember I did the Six Chair Challenge and I got a seat and I thought I was going to be taken off. "But the producer stood at the front of the stage telling the audience which chair to vote for and he said three, and I was three and I thought, 'Just f***ing kill me now'. "The shame I felt then was probably one of the worst times of my life." When asked if he regretted ever going on The X Factor, Joe immediately replied: "Yes." Advertisement After his stint on singing competitions over the past 20 years, Joe has now taken "a complete 360 turn" and become a teacher. The star now teaches music and is a special needs education teacher in a secondary school in
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker shares 'tense moment' Mike Nolan quit the band
Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker has revealed the tense moment Irish man Mike Nolan quit the band. The 1981 Eurovision winner has spoken of the moment her former band member Mike Nolan quit spin-off band 'The Fizz' in a difficult exchange back in 2024. Speaking in a new interview with Slingo, Cheryl who was part of 1981 Eurovision-winning group 'Bucks Fizz', admits Mike 'had been talking about [quitting] since lockdown' but she managed to 'keep talking him out of it'. However, she said the final straw for Mike came during a 2024 photoshoot, when he revealed to Cheryl and fellow member Jay Aston he didn't want to do any of their upcoming gigs. She said: '[The Fizz] have just finished working on a ship, we did an 80s cruise and we had so much fun. 'We've got a festival in a couple of weeks up in Sunderland and I can't wait. We're rehearsing some songs they haven't learnt yet, for them, they're still learning stuff. 'We've got two guys now who are very happy to be there, whereas Mike didn't want to be there. He'd had enough. 'He'd been talking about it since lockdown. I kept talking him out of it but in the end, we did a photo session for a newspaper and it was a really good session, we did the photos, interviews etc. 'We then went to have some lunch, and me and Jay were chatting about gigs we had coming up, and Mike's face just went (sighs), he looked upset. I went, whatever's the matter.' Cheryl recalls giving him an ultimatum on his future in the band, which led to Mike leaving, but not before a 'very special' last gig in November last year. 'He said, 'I don't want to do them!' I slammed my fists down on the table and said,' you can't keep playing like this, you're either staying or you're going', so he said, 'I want to go'. We had to make a final date which was in November last year, we did it in a small theatre, a 500-seater, but it was a favourite in Kent, we all live there. 'It was a very special night with all our families and friends there, but I think he was relieved it was the last one. 'I miss Mike Nolan, because he's like a brother to me but he'd really had enough. Scott Mills kept playing, audio of Mike saying 'I've had enough', and he had. 'He was fed up with the journeys, with the driving and trains. I talk to him every couple of days, and we check in with each other. 'He's not envious in the slightest, he's very happy with us to carry on working.' But she said she still talks to Mike every few days. 'We have the best memories! And the most fun. Mike and I were like naughty children, going back to sneaking back in Dublin, we have a lot of fantastic memories, Mike and I. 'But we're making new memories with our new guys, they're so much fun, I love them.'
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Country star Michael English on how Louis Walsh's mother played key role in music career
The top entertainer was the favourite Irish singer of Maureen Walsh, who died this week at the age of 94 Louis Walsh looks on as the remains of his mother Maureen are taken from church Country music star Michael English told yesterday how Louis Walsh's mother played a key role in one of the biggest highlights of his career. The top entertainer was the favourite Irish singer of Maureen Walsh, who died this week at the age of 94 and whose funeral took place in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo. And Michael English gave his final performance for Maureen when he was chosen to sing at her funeral service on Thursday, where the attendance included Westlife stars Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne, plus Eurovision winner Dana. Michael says: 'It was a huge honour to sing at it with the Kiltimagh Parish Choir. I was looking down the church and seeing the Westlife lads and seeing Dana and all these other singers, so it was a great privilege to get the opportunity to do it for Maureen. Kian Egan and wife Jodi Albert with Louis Walsh 'Maureen and her daughters Sarah and Evelyn and other members of the Walsh family used to come to my shows in the early days. 'And the first time I met Maureen she told me I was her favourite singer. It was around 2008 and I was a bit younger at the time and a bit chuffed that Louis Walsh's mother was into what I did. Family and friends of Maureen Walsh attend her funeral Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025 'Maureen was just a lovely country woman who reminded me of my own mother. We struck up a little bond and she said, 'I'm going to get Louis to ring you now and see if he can help you in any way.' 'I thought no more of it, but sure enough Louis did ring me and we arranged to meet up. We had a good chat and I found Louis to be very similar to the rest of his family. I thought he was going to be completely different, but we got on like a house on fire.' Shane Filanwas among the mourners Louis went on to land a major record deal for English with Sony Music – and Michael ended up recording with British producer Nigel Wright, whose work includes the score for The Phantom of the Opera. 'It was a huge experience for me at such a young age and also a huge thrill to be working with Nigel because I'd been a massive fan of The Phantom of the Opera and have seen it about 15 times,' Michael says. 'Nigel arranged for me to go backstage one time to see the workings of it and the illusions that were created by magician Paul Daniels. Dana was among the mourners 'So as well as getting the opportunity to record two great albums I was living the dream – and it was Maureen who had made all that happen for me. 'I would go on to concentrate on the country music scene, but Louis had been great to me while we worked together.' Maureen had been living with Alzheimer's for 12 years before she died. 'I went to see her a few times in the nursing home,' Michael says. 'I was so fond of her and she was a very much loved person in the area, not just because her son was on The X Factor but because of who she was. Louis Walsh looks on as the remains of his mother Maureen are taken from church 'Her house was open to everybody. I was in the house a hundred times and it reminded me of my house, when people would come into my mother she'd say 'will you have a cup of tea?' and she'd take every different kind of biscuit out of the press. 'Louis's mother was like that. She ran an open house and a very welcoming house,' Michael adds.
