EUROVISION ORGANISERS MAKE IRISH ENTRY REMOVE PRO-PALESTINE BODY PAINT

The singer won a spot in the final with their alternative chanting witch-like song

The first Irish singer to reach the Eurovision Song Contest final since 2018 has slammed competition organisers for requesting they change their pro-Palestinian body paint.

Non-binary singer, Bambie Thug, won a place in Saturday's final with their alternative chanting witch-like song, Doomsday Blue, at the semi-final in Sweden on Tuesday.

But the Cork-born singer, 31, has revealed they were forced to change their body paint in Ogham script - an early Medieval alphabet - which translated to ceasefire and freedom.

Speaking at a press conference in Malmo, Sweden, Bambie Thug said: 'It was very important for me because I'm pro-justice and pro-peace.

'Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to "Crown the witch" only - which was an order from the EBU.'

The bodypaint was a nod to Gaza amid Israel's Eden Golan being allowed to compete in the song competition but organisers forced Bambie Thug to change it if they were to compete in the semi-final on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: 'The writing seen on Bambie Thug's body during dress rehearsals contravened contest rules that are designed to protect the non-political nature of the event.'

The body had previously wanted that Palestinian flags and symbols would not be allowed in the Malmo Arena.

Meanwhile, the British entry, Olly Alexander's first live performance on Tuesday was met with mixed reviews from Eurovision fans with some criticising his slightly off and shaky vocals.

It comes after he sparked controversy on Tuesday for saying he has an 'ambivalent' relationship with the Union flag as it can be 'divisive' and 'nationalistic'.

The 33-year-old Year&Years singer previously contributed to an anti-semitism row after it was revealed he had signed a letter calling Israel an 'apartheid regime' and condemning 'Zionist propaganda'

The BBC said afterwards that it would continue to let him express his views, while Jewish campaigners called for him to be replaced as the Eurovision entrant.

The Israeli embassy in London said in response: 'We would be happy to arrange a trip for you to visit the Oct 7 massacre sites in Israel, where the rights of LGBTQ+ are celebrated, protected and cherished. Unfortunately, our neighbours can't guarantee the same.'

The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that Mr Alexander, who identifies as pansexual, has subsequently been given bodyguards after refusing to stand down in protest at Israel's inclusion in the contest.

He has suffered sustained threats and abuse from pro-Palestine fanatics over his refusal to withdraw and he was tearful in media interviews last week after 'it all became too much'.

2024-05-08T12:18:29Z dg43tfdfdgfd