Delta Goodrem representing Australia in the Eurovision

I think the reason we generally don’t do very well is that European pop/popular music is quite different from ours.

We have sent Sandy Shaw and Cliff Richard and Lulu. The question is why we now choose to send unknowns

Delta gave a good showing at 4th place. Bulgaria in 1st.

UK last place with one single vote. That's quite something! I didn't watch but wow it must have been a shocker of a performance. Did the UK not give a shit this year and send some reject act from Britain's Got Talent??

I'm amazed people are still asking why Australia is in the contest. We here in Australia didn't get it either at first but the EBU explanation is pretty straightforward.

Off to watch Bulgaria's act.

A lot of the representatives are famous in their native countries.
And like others have said that UK has sent international stars but thw results have not been great. You could send Adele or Ed Sheeran or even ask Beyonce but I don't think they would do it

Oh god yes it was. And they announced two winners for it? Justin Hawkins was very pissed off.

that scooch song was a banger

Cyprus is in the eu, it is considered European culturally, politically and economically. Israel and Australia are a different kettle of fish. I don't feel either should be in it as they really are not European.

I’ve taken against her ever since she broke up Kerry katona’s marriage

I don't really care so long as the childkillers don't win.

They probably will though, they know it's a great artswashing propaganda opportunity so they'll try and rig the public vote.

Part of the reason the UK is not considered to take the competition seriously is because we don't send top artists.

Other counties do, just because you don't recognise the singers it doesn't mean they don't have an established career in their own country. For example Loreen had a top ten single before her first Eurovision win.

So if anything Australia are just getting into the spirit.

She was amazing, wasn't she?

Well I was nearly right!

It really has ruined it.

How has adding Australia really ruined Eurovision? It's just an extra country performing a song. Some years they haven't even qualified for the final - have those years also been ruined?

I truly don’t understand why you’re complaining here about it. If you think they should be in the Asian contest then write to them or something! Five countries (or their broadcasters) didn’t think Israel should be in it this year, so they’re not taking part. I just offered a tip of ignoring the country you don’t like.

It's so weird now to think that, in the early years of the contest, they just gave the sheet music to the sole in-house orchestra to play - then all the performers had to do was to put on their best frocks and suits, stand there and sing along!

A number of countries could never host it the following year if they won, as they're far too small and/or have too little a population to have the necessary infrastructure. The stadium in Rotterdam in 2021 could accommodate approximately half of San Marino's entire population. Iceland has about the same population as live in Coventry, so they would massively struggle too.

Even France has had to pass on hosting before, as they said they couldn't afford it for a third time.

Ironically, Australia is massive, wealthy and has a very large population, meaning that they could very easily host it - they've hosted the Olympics before - it's just that they're much too far away for the vast majority of the participants and in a very different time zone which wouldn't work for the (vast majority) European viewers.

Eurovision is a song contest. You can have an already well known artist sing the song but the actual song has to be original.

There’s been countries from both Europe and Asia in the EBU and Eurovision for decades now so it might as well be called the Eurasian song contest. It’s so often showcased Eurasian cultures and that’s one of the aspects that I’ve enjoyed most. Adding Australia makes it a world song contest and I fail to see why I have to be thrilled about the change whether it’s Australia or Uruguay. Or is it only Australia that I’m not allowed to object to? It really has ruined it. There’s a new Asia/Asia-Pacific song contest which is a brilliant idea and that is a more appropriate place for them imo.

It’s not the Eurasian song contest though?

It’s ok to admit you don’t like Australia, you know? I doubt they’ll be bothered.

Israel is part of Eurasia and a full member of EBU.

And Israel then?

My advice stands though. Just ignore them. I’d say the same if they were from Ghana. Don’t let them ruin it for you. They should know when they’re not wanted.

I don’t care if it was Australia, Ghana, Uruguay or Canada who was invited to join. I don’t think that any of them belong in Eurovision for the very same reason. I don’t know what her being middle aged has to do with it though. I didn’t mention her age, which isn’t an issue and I’m also 41 and therefore middle aged so why bring that up in response to my post?

Australians should know their place really.

My tip would be to put your fingers in your ears when their middle-aged singer is on tonight. Don’t let those upstart colonials ruin it for you.

Yes I do think that allowing Australia to join when it doesn’t belong has ruined Eurovision. It isn’t the only thing that’s ruined it, others have mentioned additional changes that have also been detrimental, but it’s still a big one imo.

Do you really think that adding Australia is what ruined Eurovision?

For me what’s wrecked it has been the wars.

Erm….loads of countries send established musicians. We might win occasionally if we followed suit!