Eurovision fans fume over Celine Dion no-show during finale despite huge clues singer was in Switzerland

Daily Mail​

18-05-2025

Eurovision fans were left devastated during Saturday night's final as Celine Dion failed to appear - despite a number of huge clues she was in Basel, Switzerland.
Canadian superstar Celine, 57, who famously won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, had been widely anticipated to perform live at St. Jakobshalle in Basel.
It would have been the My Heart Will Go On hitmaker's first public stage appearance in almost a year amid her ongoing battle with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare autoimmune neurological disorder.
Celine sparked excitement that she was in the country after her private jet was reported to have landed in Switzerland from Paris on Friday morning ahead of the event which she won 37 years ago.
And even presenter Scott Mills admitted he was 'barely holding it together' by the news as he chatted to Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2.
He said on Saturday morning: 'I've got a bit of other gossip for you. The Celine Dion rumours are swirling around here.
'So on Tuesday there was a recorded message from her however, BBC News you may have seen they reported that a private jet that matches the description of Celine's private jet has arrived at Basel Airport.
'But was Celine on the private jet or did it just fly here to get some excellent chocolate.
'I feel like there will be obviously a tribute or a nod to Celine during tonight's final because there has to be right!
'But I would have said to you this time yesterday she's not coming, today I 80% chance think she is.
'And even if, it may not be a performance, it maybe her sat in the audience soaking up the tribute and waving but whichever one it is, I am barely holding it together, that's when I'll have the tears from Eurovision'.
Following the no show, fans were left devastated and joked that Celine had watched the show from her hotel in Basel instead.
They wrote: 'Meanwhile, Celine Dion gets ready for bed knowing that the whole of Europe's been waiting for her to turn up;
'We're getting this instead of Celine Dion. Just let that sink in a bit...; When Graham has promised us Celine Dion all night but they give us an alpine horn instead;
'WHERE IS CELINE DION!!!!!!; Celine Dion in her Basel hotel watching the show knowing everyone was expecting her to show up to perform;
'Nobody is more disappointed in the lack of Celine Dion than Graham Norton; Celine Dion sleeping whilst the whole of Europe is still waiting for her to perform.
'I can't believe I sat through 4 hours of this for Celine to no show; I had myself convinced Celine was going to be there, ffs.'
On Tuesday, a video from Celine, filmed from her Las Vegas home, played during the semi-final, she said: 'I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now.
'Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me. Music unites us. It is our strength, our support... in times of need.'
Stiff person syndrome is an incredibly rare neurological disorder that is characterised by muscle stiffness.
The painful condition is caused by an autoimmune response that causes the body to attack its own cells.
While there is currently no cure for the progressive illness, it can be helped with various treatments such as steroids.
The illness is so rare that it is thought to affect just one or two people in every million.
Celine herself admitted that she was only diagnosed via an extensive process of elimination.
She has reportedly learned how to sing despite the illness through a combination of therapy and vocal rehabilitation.
Celine told the BBC last year: 'My voice will be rebuilt.'