Eurovision Song Contest scandals – drug claims, rule breaks and same-sex snog

When you think of Eurovision, cheesy pop, baffling performances and all the sparkle you can handle come to mind.

The contest started in 1956 and has become one of the most fun nights of the showbiz calendar. These days it attracts huge audiences, with millions of viewers gleefully tuning in to giggle over incomprehensible dance routines and see who might get “nul points”.

But there is also a dark side to Eurovision as it has been hit with its fair share of scandals. They include allegations of drug-taking, political tension and rows over rules.

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As this year’s contest is under way in Malmo, Sweden, UK act Olly Alexander has already caused a bit of controversy for his song Dizzy.

Performing with hunky shirtless male dancers, Olly had a bit of a struggle as his microphone fell off, with viewers saying it left his voice sounding “ropey”. Elsewhere, others complained the routine was “not family friendly”.

However, that’s far from the most controversy seen at the Eurovision Song Contest, as Daily Star has taken a look back at some of the biggest show scandals.

Maneskin drug allegations

In 2021, accusations that Maneskin singer Damiano David took drugs on air at the contest started swirling. In the live broadcast the Italian rock star was seen leaning forwards over a table and some people claimed it looked like he could have been using cocaine.

However, Damiano explained that he was just picking up something from the floor and the band, which won the contest, said on Instagram: “We are really shocked about what some people are saying about Damiano doing drugs. We really are against drugs and we never used cocaine. We are ready to get tested, ‘cause we have nothing to hide.”

An inquiry by organisers later concluded that the star did not take drugs.

Sandra Kim’s win

Back in 1986, Belgium’s entry Sandra Kim charmed everyone with J’Aime La Vie and romped to victory in the competition. The singer had apparently told the producers of the show that she was 15, but it later turned out that she was actually 13.

Switzerland – which had come in second – wanted the act to be disqualified and for themselves to be named winners. However, Sandra hung on to her Eurovision crown, and is still the youngest person to win the contest.

Stage crasher interrupts UK performance

In 2018, fans were shocked when someone invaded the stage while the UK’s act was performing. SuRie was entertaining the Eurovision audience with her entry, Storm, when the stage invader seized her mic.

The man, who had a rucksack on his back, then appeared to say: “Nazis of the UK media, we demand freedom.” However, he was quickly removed from the stage and SuRie managed to finish her performance.

Cheating allegations

In 2022, Eurovision organisers said some “irregular voting patterns” had been spotted.

The irregularities were apparently detected in the jury votes of six countries taking part in the second semi-final that year – Azerbaijan, Georgia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, San Marino.

On the Eurovision site it said that “four of the six juries all placed five of the other countries in their Top Five (taking into account they could not vote for themselves); one jury voted for the same five countries in their Top 6; and the last of the six juries placed four of the others in the Top 4 and the fifth in their Top 7”. Four of the six received at least one set of 12 points, which is the maximum that can be awarded.

Belarus booted out

In 2021 Belarus was disqualified over songs deemed to have broken the competition’s rules.

The country’s original song – performed by Galasy ZMesta – was said to have political overtones and as Eurovision songs can’t be political, they were asked to send in a new one. But when they did, organisers didn’t think the new track was appropriate either.

The European Broadcasting Union, the show’s organisers, said the new entry had been “carefully scrutinised” but that it was in breach rules of the competition.

Finland’s same-sex kiss

In 2013, Finland’s Krista Siegfrieds used her performance to make a point about her country’s stance on same-sex marriage.

At the time it was not legal in the country, so Krista took to the stage at Eurovision in a wedding dress to perform Marry Me. And the performance saw her kissing one of her female dancers.

She was quoted as saying at the time: “I don’t think Marry Me is political. It’s about love and tolerance. But gay marriage is not allowed in Finland and that’s wrong. I wanted to make a statement about that.”

While most fans welcomed her performance, there were reports that Turkey was not going to broadcast the kiss.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk