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Daily Record
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Graham Norton claims Eurovision entry bares uncanny resembles to Eastenders icon
The UK commentator claimed that the soap legend 'changed her name' to take part in the singing contest. While many people watch the Eurovision Song Contest to see what outlandish performances some countries will deliver, a vast majority of us are viewing the show to hear the witty comments and bold claims of Irish comedian Graham Norton. And the TV presenter didn't disappoint. In his 16th year in the commentary booth, Graham continued to crack up viewers from across the UK as we settled in for the night to see who the public and jurors deemed to be the winner of this year's contest. While he initially struggled with his microphone at the beginning of the show, the 62-year-old didn't hold back on this honest thoughts regarding the 26 acts from across the globe competing in Basel, Switzerland. From comparing Ukraine's act to Margaret Thatcher to saying Italy's performer was dressed like the child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Graham had BBC viewers in stitches throughout the four hour show. However, one act that caught Graham's eye was Denmark's competitor Sissal, reports Manchester Evening News. Despite living in Copenhagen, Sissal is originally from Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands - making her the second Faroese act to represent Denmark since Reiley in 2023. Despite wowing viewers with her song Hallucination, Sissal had a very small chance of winning the show, with Ladbrokes giving her victory odds of 150/1 before the final began. After watching Sissal's performance, Graham went on to humorously claim that Eastenders star Letitia Dean had "changed her name" to perform on the show and move away from playing her iconic character Sharon Watts. The TV presenter jokingly went on to add that this was Letitia's way of "continuing the 40th anniversary celebrations" after the soap hit the huge milestone back in February this year. Many viewers at home agreed with Graham, with some taking to social media to point out the resemblance between Sissal and Letitia. One X user said: "Not sure why Sharon is representing Denmark #Eurovision." While another added: "Bloomin' love this entry from #Denmark #Sissal/Sharon from EastEnders." A third user went on to say: "Great to see Sharon from Eastenders has found a new gig #Eurovision." While another person quipped: "Can't believe Sharon left the square to perform on Eurovision #Eurovision." Another viewer commented: "Hello is that Sharon Watts. #Eurovision." This was followed by someone writing: "Not Graham comparing the Danish entry to Sharon from EastEnders omg. #Eurovision." Unfortunately, neither Denmark or the UK earned enough points to win this year's contest - placing 23rd and 19th respectively. Austria instead took the crown with 436 points with their entry JJ singing his song Wasted Love. Despite Sam Ryder's surprise score of 466 in 2022 which landed him in second place, the UK's entry Remember Monday managed to achieve the country's best score since 2017 - when Lucie Jones came 15th place. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Edinburgh Live
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Graham Norton claims EastEnders legend 'changed her name' to compete in Eurovision
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Get the latest Edinburgh Live breaking news on WhatsApp Graham Norton has humorously suggested that an EastEnders icon has 'changed her name' to compete in Eurovision 2025. Back in the commentary box for the 16th time, Graham was on top form, delivering his trademark witty remarks and amusing assertions. After initially grappling with his microphone, the Irish telly host began sharing his candid opinions on all 26 acts vying for victory in Basel, Switzerland. READ MORE - HMRC writing to thousands of UK households who had kids between 1978 and 2000 READ MORE - Prince William and Kate's prepare Prince George for public life in major change From setting aside his usual sharpness for UK act Remember Monday to likening Ukraine's act to Margaret Thatcher, Graham provided BBC viewers with another unforgettable evening. One performer who piqued Graham's interest was Denmark's contender Sissal, whose full name is Sissal Jóhanna Norðberg, reports the Manchester Evening News. Although she resides in Copenhagen, Sissal hails from Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands, becoming the second Faroese artist to represent Denmark in the Eurovision after Reiley did so in 2023. (Image: BBC) (Image: Getty Images) Singing her song Hallucanitation, Sissal was a dark horse for a surprise win, with Ladbrokes offering her victory odds of 150/1 before the show. Once Sissa had finished performing, Graham quipped that EastEnders actress Letitia Dean 'changed her name' as part of a departure from her role as Sharon Watts. Graham jested that this was Letitia's method of 'continuing the 40th anniversary celebrations' after the soap reached the significant milestone in February. Viewers at home concurred with Graham, taking to X to highlight the resemblance between Sissal and Letitia. @adhddjmenace questioned: "Not sure why Sharon is representing Denmark #Eurovision." @toniearlybird chimed in, enthusing: "Bloomin' love this entry from #Denmark #Sissal/Sharon from EastEnders." @LewisCoakley tweeted: "Great to see Sharon from Eastenders has found a new gig #Eurovision." Meanwhile, @Lilly__0b1 was surprised: "Can't believe Sharon left the square to perform on Eurovision #Eurovision." @wildpartydude cheekily asked: "Hello is that Sharon Watts. #Eurovision." And @ReeceRJC couldn't hold back a laugh, posting: "Not Graham comparing the Danish entry to Sharon from EastEnders omg. #Eurovision." Last year's British entry for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, Olly Alexander, had a brief stint on Albert Square just weeks prior to ending up 18th place at the event in Italy.
RTÉ News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
It's Basel dazzle as Eurovision winner crowned tonight
The countdown is on to tonight's Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final as Basel, Switzerland hosts the world's biggest televised live music event. Six countries, the so-called 'Big Five' of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, along with last year's winners, Switzerland - have automatically qualified for the final. The Eurovision in numbers They will be joined by the 20 others who progressed through the semi-finals held on Tuesday and Thursday. , with Greece clinching the final spot in tonight's decider. Hopes had been high that the Norwegian singer EMMY, representing Ireland with the song Laika Party, would make the final, but it was not to be. Those who made it through on Thursday included Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch), considered one of this year's frontrunners with his song Wasted Love, as well as the Armenian artist PARG, Denmark's Sissal, and Luxembourg's Laura Thorn. Tuesday's qualifiers included Norway's Kyle Alessandro, Albania's Shkodra Elektronike, Sweden's KAJ, and the Ukrainian group Ziferblat. Sweden now has the chance to become the most successful country in Eurovision history, as it currently shares the record of seven wins with Ireland. This year's Swedish entry, Bara Bada Bastu, is performed by the group KAJ. Eurovision Song Contest commentator Graham Norton has said that the UK's act, Remember Monday, "have a great advantage in that they are unlike any other act this year" with their song, What The Hell Just Happened?. "Their vocals and harmonies are flawless, the song has a very strong hook, and the trio are hugely likeable," said the Corkman, who returns to provide commentary for the BBC this year. "With a decent place in the running order, they should do very well indeed." Watch: Remember Monday's performance of What The Hell Just Happened? in the second semi-final The theme for this year's contest is Unity Shapes Love. The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, with commentary from Marty Whelan, airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm. Here is the running order for the Grand Final: 1) Norway | Kyle Alessandro - Lighter 2) Luxembourg | Laura Thorn - La Poupée Monte Le Son 3) Estonia | Tommy Cash - Espresso Macchiato 4) Israel | Yuval Raphael - New Day Will Rise 5) Lithuania | Katarsis - Tavo Akys 6) Spain | Melody - ESA DIVA 7) Ukraine | Ziferblat - Bird of Pray 8) United Kingdom | Remember Monday - What The Hell Just Happened? 9) Austria | JJ - Wasted Love 10) Iceland | VÆB - RÓA 11) Latvia | Tautumeitas - Bur Man Laimi 12) Netherlands | Claude - C'est La Vie 13) Finland | Erika Vikman - ICH KOMME 14) Italy | Lucio Corsi - Volevo Essere Un Duro 15) Poland | Justyna Steczkowska - GAJA 16) Germany | Abor & Tynna - Baller 17) Greece | Klavdia - Asteromáta 18) Armenia | PARG - SURVIVOR 19) Switzerland | Zoë Më - Voyage 20) Malta | Miriana Conte - SERVING 21) Portugal | NAPA - Deslocado 22) Denmark | Sissal - Hallucination 23) Sweden | KAJ - Bara Bada Bastu 24) France | Louane - maman 25) San Marino | Gabry Ponte - Tutta L'Italia 26) Albania | Shkodra Elektronike - Zjerm
RTÉ News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Here's the running order for the Eurovision Grand Final 2025
Ireland may not have made the cut, but there'll be plenty to look forward to in Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final. Six countries - France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and last year's winners, Switzerland - automatically qualified for the final. They are joined by 20 others who progressed through the semi-finals held on Tuesday and Thursday. Ireland was among six countries eliminated during Thursday night's semi-final, with Greece clinching the final spot in Saturday's decider. Those who made it through include Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch), considered one of this year's frontrunners with his song Wasted Love, as well as Armenian artist PARG, Denmark's Sissal, and Luxembourg's Laura Thorn. Tuesday's qualifiers included Norway's Kyle Alessandro, Albania's Shkodra Elektronike, Sweden's KAJ, and Ukrainian group Ziferblat. Sweden now has the chance to become the most successful country in Eurovision history, as it currently shares the record of seven wins with Ireland. This year's Swedish entry, Bara bada bastu, is performed by the group KAJ. The theme for this year's contest is Unity Shapes Love. Here is the running order for the Grand Final this Saturday: 1. Norway | Kyle Alessandro – Lighter 2. Luxembourg | Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son 3. Estonia | Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato 4. Israel | Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise 5. Lithuania | Katarsis – Tavo Akys 6. Spain | Melody – ESA DIVA 7. Ukraine | Ziferblat – Bird of Pray 8. United Kingdom | Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened? 9. Austria | JJ – Wasted Love 10. Iceland | VÆB – RÓA 11. Latvia | Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi 12. Netherlands | Claude – C'est La Vie 13. Finland | Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME 14. Italy | Lucio Corsi | Volevo Essere Un Duro 15. Poland | Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA 16. Germany | Abor & Tynna – Baller 17. Greece | Klavdia – Asteromáta 18. Armenia | PARG – SURVIVOR 19. Switzerland | Zoë Më – Voyage 20. Malta | Miriana Conte – SERVING 21. Portugal | NAPA – Deslocado 22. Denmark | Sissal – Hallucination 23. Sweden | KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu 24. France | Louane – maman 25. San Marino | Gabry Ponte – Tutta L'Italia 26. Albania | Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm The Grand Final takes place on Saturday, 17 May, and will be shown live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm.
