Latest news with #eurovision2025
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Eurovision bosses break silence after fury over Israel favouritism row
Fans of the Eurovision Song Contest were left stunned after Israel's controversial performance was met with a mixed response - but sounded like huge applause on television. Before the show got underway, the Eurovision Song Contest was plagued by controversy over Israel's participation in the annual event. Many had called for them to be excluded. However, after performing third, the country's contestant was met by a mixed response by the audience. Following her performance, UK commentator Graham Norton couldn't help but aim a jibe at Switzerland and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). As Israel's hopeful Yuval Raphael thanked viewers, comedian Graham told UK viewers: "I'm not sure what you're hearing at home, but it was a mixed response." His comments came after the Eurovision Song Contest had been criticised after it reportedly covered the sounds of the audience booing the controversial entrant and adding fake applause. It has been said that the competition's bosses chose to drown out the sounds of booing when she performed New Day Will Rise for a rehearsal on Friday night. Now, bosses have released a statement on their actions. They said: "For the Eurovision Song Contest, the host broadcaster SRG SSR is working with the 'audio sweetening' method, which is common practice for major international productions. "This process helps to harmonise the sound of the transitions between moderations, video clips and the individual acts and to create a consistent soundscape for the TV audience. It is used exclusively for the technical rounding off of the programme. "This process is used equally and identically for all acts. The competition and its results are not affected in any way." Those watching at home quickly took to social media to comment on the mixed response after it aired. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan wrote: "The fake clapping during Israel... like we don't know the majority of the crowd is booing. #eurovision2025." A second questioned: "Is it just me or did Eurovision add canned screams and cheers during and after Israel's performance? Because the few times they brought out the audience, it didn't seem like they were the ones doing it. Plus, it was weird how the sound kept coming and going..." Israel's performance came after over 70 past Eurovision stars penned a letter demanding that the contest chiefs exclude them amid the country's ongoing bombardment of Palestine. Israel has continued to attack Palestine, with thousands of Palestinians starving as aid continues to be blocked. Israel announced plans this month to capture the entire Gaza Strip and drive hundreds of thousands into the South. Palestinians, meanwhile, are starving to death amid a two-month aid block.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Israel's Eurovision star dealt blow as Graham Norton sparks favouritism row
The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has once again been embroiled in controversy. This year's entry for Israel, Yuval Raphael, has been surrounded by drama after 70 former contestants penned a letter demanding that the bosses behind the competition exclude Israel due to the ongoing crisis involving Palestine. Israel has continued to attack Palestine, with thousands of Palestinians starving as aid is continuing to be blocked. This month, Israel announced plans to capture the entire Gaza Strip and drive hundreds of thousands into the South. Meanwhile, Palestinians are starving to death amid a two-month aid block. Israel's participant was the fourth singer to take to the stage in Basel, Switzerland, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Swiss icon Loreen, who landed her second win last year. Speaking at the Grand Final, host Graham Norton commented: "Not sure what you're hearing at home, slightly mixed response here in the hall," as the crowed booed and also cheered Yuval. Those at home were also quick to comment on the mixed response. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer said: "The fake clapping during Israel... like we don't know the majority of the crowd is booing. #eurovision2025." A second asked: "Is it just me or did Eurovision add canned screams and cheers during and after Israel's performance? Because the few times they brought out the audience, it didn't seem like they were the ones doing it. Plus, it was weird how the sound kept coming and going..." A third fumed: "When a song finishes there is a natural rise in the audience reaction. What we just heard with Israel was a low volume rapturous applause, just turned up. No natural rise, just completely fake. How is that allowed? How is that not viewed as influencing the vote? #Eurovision2025." The rehearsal of Raphael's performance of New Day Will Rise had been met with backlash after allegations that audience booing had been edited out and fake cheers had reportedly been added in. One fan fumed: "I have a huge issue with the EBU silencing the booing during Israel's performance and adding fake cheers to make it sound like there's a positive reception from the audience. EBU is a public service broadcaster whose purpose is to serve the public, not to silence them." A second added: "Why do you mute the audience's boos and replace them with fake applause effects? Where are your ethical values?" Meanwhile, the European Broadcasting Union has agreed to discuss Israel's participation in the competition next year.
