Eurovisions Unforgettable Moments: Legends and Controversies

The is back for its 70th year, with a new crop of wacky performers taking to the stage in Vienna.

Stars will take to the stage in the Austrian capital for a dramatic evening in the hope that they can lift the famous glass trophy.

UK fans will be hoping LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER can avoid the famous 'nil points,' and instead could triumph and land a spot in music history.

The electronic act, whose real name is Sam Battle, will take to the stage with the song Eins, Zwei, Drei. 

Indeed, Eurovision has produced a string of iconic acts over the years, with some escaping the show's bubble to become global superstars.

From the legendary ABBA and Celine Dion, to the zany Verka Serduchka and Scooch, Eurovision has made stars out of many of its winners, and some of those who fell short of a first place finish...

ABBA's trip to Waterloo triumphs

By far are viewed by Eurovision fans as the most successful act in the contest's history, with the group representing their native Sweden in 1974.

Taking to the stage for the final in Brighton, ABBA performed their now-legendary track Waterloo, and finished in first place with 24 points.

The song is now viewed by many fans as the greatest, and most well-known, Eurovision song in history, and frequently tops polls with that same question.

Although many of the band had found prior success in different bands, were catapulted into stardom after winning Eurovision. 

Going on to sell over 150 million records, writing hits such as 'Dancing Queen', 'Mamma Mia' and 'Fernando', ABBA are undoubtedly the band to have achieved the most success after a Eurovision appearance. 

Celine Dion's one-point victory

Many music fans are unaware that years before she topped the charts with her stunning Titanic ballad, Celine took to the Eurovision stage.

The Canadian-born star represented Switzerland in 1988 with the song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, and her victory was one of the most nail-biting in the contest's history.

Celine beat the UK's act Scott Fitzgerald by just one point to be crowned winner of the contest, after receiving 12 points from Portugal and six points from Yugoslavia.

The victory kickstarted Celine's international career, and she became one of the most successful musicians of all time.

Fans hoped the star would make an appearance at last year's Eurovision, when the contest returned to Switzerland, however sadly she was unable to attend in person due to her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome.

Instead, the star recorded a message that was broadcast during the semi-finals, where she described winning the contest as a 'life-changing moment.' 

Bucks Fizz's skirt-whipping number

For many UK fans, Bucks Fizz are one of Eurovision's greatest success stories, with their legendary hit Making Your Mind Up.

The group, consisting of Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston, won the contest in 1981, with their signature dance routine.

During the performance, female members Jay and Cheryl whipped off their skirts to reveal a shorter version underneath, sending viewers into a frenzy. 

They went onto have three number one singles, and have sold 50 million records worldwide. 

Maneskin's post-Covid win

When Eurovision returned in 2021 after a year off due to the Covid pandemic, many of that year's acts had been due to represent their nation in 2020.

But Italy opted to choose a new act for that year, instead competing with glam rock group Maneskin and their song Zitti e Buoni.

Following their performance in Rotterdam the band stormed to victory with 524 points, and a huge majority from the televote.

Since then Maneskin have earned huge mainstream success including three Top 40 singles in the UK and a sellout tour in the US.

Bassist Victoria De Angelis told The Guardian in May 2022: 'Our lives have completely changed [since Eurovision]. We haven't stopped. 

'We've been having a lot of crazy experiences… all the things we dreamed of that we never thought would come true.'

Cliff Richard's surprise snub

Despite being viewed as one of the greatest icons in music, Cliff missed out on lifting the Eurovision trophy not once, but twice.

The musician first competed for the UK with his song Congratulations in 1968, and despite a stellar performance, finished in second place after losing by just one vote.

In 1973, Cliff tried again with his song Power To All Our Friends, but again fell short, finishing in third place behind winners Luxembourg.

Loreen's double success

For modern Eurovision fans, Loreen is considered one its greatest acts in history, wowing viewers with her song Euphoria while representing Sweden in 2012.

The anthemic track sent fans into a frenzy and she went onto win the contest with 372 votes, with Loreen continuing to be a fixture at Eurovision parties and events in the years since.

In 2023, Loreen made history when she successfully returned to regain her Eurovision crown while representing her native Sweden, a feat many acts have failed to do. 

Fans had tipped Finland to triumph, but Loreen won over the jury with her song Tattoo, and was awarded the trophy in Liverpool.  

Conchita Wurst 

After decades without a victory, Austria finally lifted the Eurovision trophy in 2014, when Conchita stunned Europe with her performance of Rise Like a Phoenix.

The singer — whose real name is Thomas Neuwirth — gave a moving rendition and the decision to rely on minimalistic staging proved to be the right thing to do. 

Her performance earned a total of 290 points, and Conchita remains one of Eurovision's most recognisable modern acts.

Earlier this week she returned to the stage , leaving viewers in awe with her stunning vocals.

Music fans were so impressed with her vocals that they took to Twitter to say they'd been left with 'goosebumps', with some branding her performance 'spectacular' while calling for her to compete once again in the future.

Earlier this year, Conchita shared she would be withdrawing from any Eurovision-related events to focus on her 'evolving professional projects.' 

Austria are set to host this year's contest once again, after singer JJ won last year's contest with Wasted Love. 

Verka Serduchka speaks dance

Ukranian drag act Verka may not have lifted the Eurovision crown back in 2007, but he has gone down as one of its weirdest, and most iconic acts.

The performer stunned Europe when he finished in second place with his song Dancing Lasha Tumbai.

He has since become a fixture of the Eurovision scene, taking to the stage at concerts and in a string of finals since missing out on victory.

Johnny Logan maintains Ireland's winning streak

Ireland may have boycotted this year's Eurovision, but for decades they were a fixture of the top 10, and have won the contest a record seven times.

Johnny Logan remains the country's biggest Eurovision export, and famously delivered wins in 1980 and 1997, before going on to write the winning track in 1992.

While he has continued to perform and release music, Johnny revealed earlier this month he would not take part in this year's Eurovision due to Ireland's boycott, despite being sent the offer four times by bosses. 

Lordi breaks the pop trend

While Eurovision is best known for its pop tracks, in 2006 Finland stormed to victory with heavy metal rock group Lordi.

Dressed in intricate monster costumes with horror-inspired staging, the band performed their track Hard Rock Hallelujah in Athens, and earned 292 points, a record at the time.

The band has continued to find success in later years, releasing their newest album Screem Writers Guild in March 2023.

Alexander Rybak's Norwegian fairytale

While Sweden are well-known for their Eurovision success, Norway made history with a record-breaking score in 2009.

Alexander Rybak took to the stage with his catchy song Fairytale, wowing viewers with his violin skills.

It's become one of the most beloved performances in the contest's history, becoming the runaway victor with an impressive 387 points at the final in Moscow.