EUROVISION had its most disastrous night to date after viewing figures plummeted and even the acts turned on the contest.
It was watched by 8.5million in the UK, down 2.5million on 2023, amid a boycott over Israel’s participation because of the conflict in Gaza.
The good weather and a general decline in terrestrial viewing figures also had an effect.
Israel’s act Eden Golan, 20, had to stay in a different hotel to the other contestants because of security fears.
She flew home yesterday after being taken through the Swedish city of Malmo with a big police presence.
Despite criticism over Golan’s involvement, Israel received top points in the televote from the highest number of countries and was awarded 14 points by the UK.
The competition was eventually won by Swiss act Nemo with their song The Code.
They became the first non-binary act to win Eurovision.
Croatia’s Baby Lasagne came second and Ukraine’s Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil third.
But it was a disappointing night for the UK’s entry Olly Alexander, 33, who came 18th out of 25 with his song Dizzy.
He was the only act to receive nothing in the public vote.
He drowned his sorrows at the Euroclub party spot with his mum until 3.40am.
A source said: “Olly was braced for disaster after he saw the bookies’ odds but it was really embarrassing to get the dreaded nul points from the public.
“He is really deflated after such a long and rocky road to get to the final.
“He’s trying to keep his head held high but it’s really upsetting because there was no love at all for him from the viewers.”
The run-up to the competition was mired in controversy, with protests over Israel’s involvement, the Dutch entry Joost Klein being dropped following a police incident and acts claiming they were being censored by organisers.
During the show itself, Finland’s Windows95man gave viewers an eyeful by performing in nude undies.
There have since been calls for Eurovision’s executive supervisor Martin Osterdahl, 50, to step down, after he was booed over his handling of this year’s event.
A source said: “There is fury behind the scenes at the way things have panned out this year.
“People think it could have been handled in a better way.
“Eurovision is supposed to be a celebration but this year felt chaotic.”
