Eurovision Grand Final 2024: Switzerland takes trophy while Olly Alexander gets ‘nil points’ – as it happened

Swiss singer Nemo has won Eurovision 2024! (Picture: Tobias Schwarz/AFP)

Switzerland triumphed in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 after days of unprecedented division, chaos and controversy, with fans describing it as the ‘worst contest in the show’s history’.

Despite the talent on stage, the European Broadcasting Union’s decided to allow Israel to compete in light of
the war in Gaza, a move that dominated the conversation surrounding Eurovision. The choice led to people boycotting the event – thousands of protestors gathered outside the arena, and entrants including sixth-place Irish entry Bambie Thug spoke out.

Nemo was victorious with their song The Code after scoring a total of 591 points, with Croatia’s Baby Lasagna (547) and Ukraine’s Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil (463) finishing behind the singer.

In the winner’s press conference Nemo, who accidentally broke their trophy shortly after it was handed to them, said: ‘The trophy can be fixed – maybe Eurovision needs fixing a little bit too, every now and then.’

They called the whole experience ‘really intense, and not just pleasant all the way’. Nemo added: ‘There were a lot of things that didn’t seem like it was all about love and unity. And that made me really sad and at the same time… there was so much love here as well.

‘I really hope that Eurovision continues and can continue to stand for peace and love in the future. I think that needs a lot of work still.’

Nemo also spoke of their disappointment that some audience members were reportedly told they were not allowed to bring non-binary flags into the arena.

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‘I had to smuggle my flag in because Eurovision said no, but I did it anyway, so I hope some people did that too. But, I mean, come on, this is clearly a double standard,’ they said.

Olly Alexander represented the UK with his song Dizzy and finished in 18th position. Despite a respectable 46 points from the jury vote, he received 0 points in the public vote. Olly managed to take it on the chin, smiling as the crowd booed at the outcome. Later on, he’s broke his silence to congratulate Nemo, showing what a gracious competitor he is.

‘Nemo!!! You did it!! I’m so so proud of you. It’s been such an honour to be on this journey with you. You broke the code!!!’, he wrote online.

In Malmö, Sweden, the contest was thrown into chaos with jurors refusing to announce points – Norway’s Alessandra Mele and Finnish runner-up of 2023 Käärijä said it ‘doesn’t feel right’. The EBU Executive Supervisor, Martin Osterdahl, stepped in to read some results and was met with almighty boos from those inside the venue.

The Netherlands’ entrant Joost Klein was not permitted to perform after a complaint of inappropriate behaviour, so a reduced 25 countries participated. After the incident, a statement was issued by Dutch broadcasters, who described his punishment as ‘disproportionate’ and explained the ‘investigation’ into Klein’s behaviour came from a ‘threatening gesture’ he made at the camera, having made it clear he didn’t wish to be filmed.