The UK proves more than an able stand-in for Ukraine – with Hannah Waddingham stealing the show
since Russia invaded, but none more magnanimous than the whole of Europe, this time last year, standing as one and pretending to like a song called Stefania by a group named Kalush Orchestra.song contest but, with the country unable to host this year’s event for obvious reasons, the UK stepped in to deputise.
When that was over, it was time to meet the hosts. The show solved the problem of whether regular BBC commentatorought to stay in the booth and talk exclusively to UK viewers, or go on stage to co-present the show itself, by making him do both. He was there with Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian rockstar Julia Sanina for their introductory remarks, before trotting back to his booth.
Norton was audibly breathless as he introduced the second act, Portugal, whose song was fast fado with a crimson-feathered Weimar flourish. After that, he and Eurovision settled into their rhythm, the songs offering the modern mix of mechanised modern pop – big wobbly key changes have long since gone out of fashion – and bewildering regional eccentricity.
The first big hitter came in the form of Sweden, with their competitor, Loreen, remorselessly imprinting the chorus of power ballad Tattoo – big swooping note, cute trilling hook, big swooping note – into brains across the continent, despite lying down for most of the performance.
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