Eurovision's wild feuds - from Bambie Thug's priest dispute to bizarre emoji war

Irish Daily Mirror

14-05-2025

It's the song contest that pits Danish power ballads against Bulgarian rappers and Armenian pop princesses.
Eurovision is so wacky it shouldn't work, but it does - it's among the world's most watched non-sporting events, with hundreds of millions of viewers every year.
Irish fans will be hoping this year's entrant - Norwegian popstar Emmy - will propel us to success with the space-themed Laika Party, about the Soviet dog sent to outer space.
A celebration of European culture, humour and eccentricity, Eurovision has become a massive event - but there have been many rows and controversies over the years, too.
Before this year's contest even kicks off, there have already been political tensions offstage, as some European Broadcasting Union members - including Ireland - have expressed concerns about the participation of Israel in the world's largest live music event.
Last year, the Israeli delegation was also criticised by other contestants including Ireland's Bambie Thug. Bambie was vocal in support for Palestine, saying: "There's definitely a war drum sounding in my heart to push the performance even more than I have done before," before taking to the Eurovision stage to perform Doomsday Blue.
Bambie's selection even caused controversy, with Fr Declan McInerney in Galway saying "Ireland is finished as a country" for picking the non-binary goth, saying: "the poor divil can neither sing nor dance."
The alternative star finished in sixth place, giving Ireland its best placement in the contest since 2000.
Last year's contest featured other dramatic controversies, with Dutch punk rapper Joost Klein disqualified just hours before the final.
He was banned from the contest amid allegations that he had been "threatening" towards a female camera operator backstage in Malmõ. The singer's management later said they were "extremely happy and relieved" that the case had been abandoned.
Sparks flew this year before the dust had even settled on the national contest in the corridors of RTE. Contestant Samantha Mumba and judge and celebrity chef Donal Skehan had the most unlikely of spats via the medium of aubergine emojis when Mumba accused judges of being unduly harsh in their comments about artists on the night.
Samantha wrote on Instagram: "Special mention to the "panel" (aside from Bambie who I stan) who not only didn't have the credentials, experience or professionalism required and were unnecessarily rude and vile to all the finalists - my parting gift them is a bag of (aubergine emojis) to slowly choke on".
Responding to her post, Donal wrote: "To insult the credentials of myself and my fellow panelists, Arthur Gourounlian is completely unprofessional. Each of us was chosen for our experience, insights, and passion for Eurovision."
He also shared a selfie of himself with the word BOZO across it, containing two aubergine emojis in both of the letters O.
It's not the first time the national contest has led to a lively face-off at Montrose. In 2014, Ryan Tubridy had to intervene when Linda Martin and Aslan's Billy McGuinness got involved in a lively slagging match live on air as the national contest was decided on The Late Late Show.
Billy, a mentor for Irish act Laura O'Neill, expressed his dislike that Louis Walsh was on the TV panel, leading to the mother of all rows with fellow panelist Linda saying: "You are an odious little man",
Billy retorted by telling the former Eurovision star she had no place on the panel. This prompted Linda to get out of her seat and approach Billy, who was sitting in the audience.
"You may not be used to dealing with women with brains, but I have a brain," said Linda, as Ryan tried to come between the two. Once back in her seat, Linda Martin added: "Gobshite".
In 2006, Brian Kennedy's Every Song Is a Cry for Love selection as the Irish entry provoked controversy from Irish songwriters. John Waters - who submitted three songs to RTE that were all rejected - alleged an extension of the deadline was made to accommodate Kennedy's submission. There was also debate over whether the song should be co-credited to English writer Calum McColl.
By 2008, Ireland's Eurovision glory days as multiple Eurovision winners seemed very much in the past following years without a win. We responded by sending a turkey to compete in a huffy fit of pique.
His performance of Ireland Douze Pointe, where he rapped in a supermarket trolley surrounded by backing singers in tricolour-themed outfits, was hugely divisive among Eurovision fans. The warbling Dustin failed to make the final.
Dustin wasn't the only one to ruffle a few feathers. Jedward stirred controversy when they were selected to perform Lipstick in 2011 amid criticism from Eurovision purists.
But the colourful and straight-talking twins had their own take on the event - and used their high profile to generate international interest. "Me and John have finally proven to our critics that we're 100% live, all our singing and dancing," Edward said.
"I think from the X Factor to Eurovision it's shown a big massive improvement and for everyone who doubted us, watch out for Jedward."
The duo ended up with Ireland's first top-ten showing in years and returned to perform Waterline at the Eurovision the following year.