Sir Terry Ready to Turn His Back on Eurovision Song ‘Non-Contest’
VETERANEurovision Song Contest commentator Sir Terry Wogan won support from showbusiness figures after criticising the competition.
Sir Terry cast doubt last night on whether he would be involved in covering the event again, after doing so since the 1970s.
He said it was “no longer a music contest” and that prospects for Western European participants were “poor”.
Showbusiness legend Bruce Forsyth said: “I agree with him. It’s not a song contest any more, it’s political. It’s all so biased.”
Pop svengali Simon Cowell said: “If people enjoy it as entertainment, that’s great, but it’s all a bit empty and meaningless as a competition.”
Public relations guru Max Clifford commented: “Terry Wogan is spot on. It’s all about politics and block voting and nothing to do with the merits of a song. Sir Terry spoke out near the end of his commentary after Britain’s entry Andy Abraham had a disappointing night in the 53rd contest.
The former binman finished joint last of the 25 finalists, scoring 14 points.
Dima Bilan of Russia romped to victory with a massive 272 points with a big ballad, produced by US r&b star Timbaland, called Believe.
Last night’s contest was held in the Serbian capital Belgrade.
Sir Terry said 43-year-old Abraham, who found fame on TV talent show the X Factor, deserved more votes from other countries than he received.
He said: “It’s a disappointment, considering that Andy Abraham gave, I think, the performance of his life with a song that certainly deserved more marks than it got.”
He did not want to take anything away from Russia, though, which had won comfortably.
Abraham co-wrote a soulful song called Even If but bookmakers had feared for its fate, giving it long odds of 66-1 before the start.
A BBC spokesman said later: “We are disappointed for Andy – it was a great song and a brilliant performance and he is someone we should all be proud of.”
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