UKRAINE’S Kalush Orchestra has won the Eurovision contest after a storming public vote saw them pip the UK’s Sam Ryder to glory.
It came after they performed in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, where bookmakers tipped them to win from the outset.
The band’s frontman, Oleh Psiuk told the 7,500-strong audience: “I ask all of you, please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Avostal, right now,”
Many of them gave the band a standing ovation in front of a global television audience of millions.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Eurovision hopeful Sam Ryder took to the stage with an upbeat performance of his uplifting pop song Space Man – and came second in the final vote.
The 32-year-old Tik Tok star is one of 25 acts vying for the top prize during the climax of the week-long contest in Turin, Italy.
He took to the stage in a dazzling one-piece encrusted with planets, moons, plus stars made of beads and pearls.
Concluding his set, the singer said: “Shine brightly my friends. Thank you all.”
Read our Eurovision 2022 live blog below for the latest updates…
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Who is Sam Ryder?
Sam Ryder is a 31-year-old singer from Essex.
The singer began working in the music industry as a singer and guitarist in 2009.
He worked as a session player for the groups The Morning After, Blessed by a Broken Heart and Close Your Eyes.
Sam rose to fame on TikTok and has since enjoyed an incredible career in music.
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Is Sam Ryder married and does he have children?
The status of Sam’s love-life is not yet known.
As he has only just launched to fame, not much is known about his private life.
It is not believed he is married though, or has any children.
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Ukraine wins Eurovision
Ukraine has won the Eurovision Song Contest with folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra’s Stefania.
Sam Ryder came second for the UK with Space Man.
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Sweden gets just 180 points
Pretty shocking!
It could be Ukraine’s night!
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Uk needs 300 points to win
We are about to discover who will win the contest.
Its Ukraine, UK and Sweden left.
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Ukraine gets 439 points, totalling 631
Wow – This brings Ukraine to the top of the board – woth 631 points.
There are just three left!
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The TV vote is so close
The UK’s TV votes have bot come in.
Serbia is now in first position with 312.
UK are on 283.
Just ten countries left!
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Last years’s Eurovision champions joke about drug allegations
The lead singer of Maneskin advised Eurovision contestants “don’t get too close to the table”, referring to allegations that he was caught on camera taking drugs at the competition last year.
The Italian rock band had “strongly refuted the allegations of drug use” that emerged on social media after Damiano David appeared to bend over a table in the contest’s green room while on camera.
Following Maneskin’s win last year, David denied that he used drugs and said he bent over because another band member had broken a glass at their feet.
The European Broadcasting Union later confirmed the frontman had returned a negative result in a drugs test since the event.
During the Eurovision song contest final 2022, the reigning champions took to the stage to perform their new single Supermodel.
Following their powerful performance, a limping David was asked to give this year’s contestants advice, to which he quipped: “Two things. Have fun and don’t get close to the table guys.”
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UK leading scroeboard after jury votes
Is this actually a dream?
But be warned, the TV vote could change everything!
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AJ Odudu giving UK results from Manchester
Get in! It’s Aj Odudu!
We have given 12 points to Sweden.
Thankfully it didnt out their points over ours.
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UK now on 247 points
We just got 10 from Croatia.
Sweden number 2, Spain number 3 and Croatia in at number 4.
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12 points from France!
Yes, the French have given us the top marks!
Could this be the UK’s first win in decades?
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Current leaderboard – UK on top
24 of 40 countries have voted.
United Kingdom are at the top, with Sweden second and Spain third.
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UK currently on 152 points
Sweden and Spain are VERY close behind.
Bit of a disappointing score from Italy – just a 3 for the UK for them.
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UK gets 12 points from Sweden and Germany
Uk gets 10 points from Spain.
We got 12 points from Sweden
Germany gave us 12 points too.
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More good news for UK
Malta have given the UK another 8.
Ukraine has given us 12.
Big news!
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Sam Ryder off to a good start
Sam Ryder has been given four points for his track Space Man.
He also garnered 8 points from San Marino.
North Macedonia have scored us 8.
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The lines are now closed
The results will be counted as of now.
Who will be the winner of this year’s contest?
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Presenter Mika returns with Medley
He’s not great at presenting, but he certainly knows how to pefrom on stage.
He was strutting on top of a piano covered in lights – wearing a white suit adorned with bright flower pattern.
Lebanese-born British singer-songwriter Mika performs during an interlude at the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2022Credit: AFP -
Sam Ryder delivers upbeat performance of Space Man
The UK’s Eurovision hopeful, Sam Ryder, has taken to the stage with an upbeat performance of his uplifting pop song Space Man.
The 32-year-old Tik Tok star is one of 25 acts vying for the top prize during the climax of the week-long contest in Turin, Italy.
He took to the stage in a dazzling one piece encrusted with planets, moons and stars made of beads and pearls.
Ryder was the 22nd act to perform, playing a guitar mid-show in front of a crowd of 7,000 fans at the Pala Olympica arena who sang along.
Concluding his set, the singer said: “Shine brightly my friends. Thank you all.”
Graham Norton, who is once again anchoring the contest on BBC One, said: “What a powerhouse performance. You can’t ask for much more than that.
“There is a sea of Union Jack flags.”
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Måneskin are back with Supermodel
Yes, last year’s winners are back with a new hit.
Italy’s Måneskin are performing Supermodel – anew disco tinged rock ditty suny in English language.
The crowd are loving it – but what happened to Zitti E Buoni?
Shortly they’ll be giving us a taste of a song they’ve written for Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis biopic.
Maneskin performs during an interlude at the final of the Eurovision Song contestCredit: AFP
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Serbia’s bid for weirdest song of the night – but it has a powerful message
Lots of handwashing in Serbia’s entry tonight.
Konstrakta mentions Meghan Markle in the song.
But the lyrics to ‘In corpore sano’ have a deeper meaning about the state of the healthcare system in Serbia.
Konstrakta from Serbia singing her politically charged In Corpore SanoCredit: AP -
Poland’s entry sounds like Rag’N’Bone Man
Poland’s entry is really impressive, with a mix of trip hop beats and powerful baritone and fal,setto vocals.
Ochman’s powerful ballad Rivver was flanked by lighting effects and ghostly dancers
It sounds somewhat like British chart topper Rag’N’Bone Man.
Singer Ochman performs on behalf of Poland during the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2022Credit: AFP -
Sam Ryder gives performance of his life
Our hopeful Sam Ryder has just rocked the stage.
The corwd absolutely loved his hit Space Man.
His epic power-ballad resonated with the crowd as they whooped and cheered for him.
Could it be Sam’s night tonight?
Singer Sam Ryder performs at the Pala Alpitour venue in TurinCredit: AFP -
Sam Ryder about to take to the stage
Could it be ourt first win this century?
C’mon Sam – let’s go!
