Eurovision fan Eleanor dresses for the occasion
ANTICIPATION has been building all week for local fans of Eurovision ahead of this evening’s final.
This year’s event is being held at the Liverpool Arena – the first time the UK has hosted it for 25 years – and features acts from 26 countries.
Local man Chris Bougourd – best described as a superfan of Eurovision – first watched the competition in 1974 when Abba took the title with ‘Waterloo’ and has been an avid follower every year since.
His day today starts with a Teams call with other Eurovision superfans from across the world to discuss what they think of the finalists and their predictions of who might triumph and who might sink with the competition’s infamous ‘nul points’.
He took part in similar Teams calls ahead of both semi-finals and expects today’s call to last at least two hours.
‘It’s a good way to meet up with friends abroad and it builds the anticipation,’ said Mr Bougourd.
‘It’s also great because a lot of the guys are in the know so we are able to get the news first hand and before the media regarding who and what will play.’
Mr Bougourd was in the live audience at the Eurovision finals of 1994 and 1998. He tried his luck to get tickets this year, but he missed out when they all went within 35 minutes of going on sale.
Eleanor Round’s first Eurovision was in 2007 and she has watched it every year since.
She is hosting a party this evening which will feature Eurovision-themed bingo and sweepstakes while enjoying a selection of drinks from each of the competing nations.
‘I just love the way everyone gets together to celebrate the music.
‘There’s no other musical event like it,’ said Mrs Round.
‘Where else would you be able to see a crazy pants-wearing middle-aged Croatian go up against opera singers?’
Mrs Round is also dressing for the occasion with Eurovision-themed painted nails and a handmade Union Jack dress in support of Mae Muller, this year’s representative for the UK.
Sexual health charity Choices will hold a party at Kings 1857, where a sold-out crowd of 90 will watch the broadcast on a big screen and take part in a fancy dress competition as well as raffles and sweepstakes.
Eurovision will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds from 8pm.
