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Image source, Getty Images

Well, that's it for another year...

The bookies' favourite won out, the UK came last (again) and Graham Norton wasn't happy about it.

You win some, you lose some. But we're already looking forward to another big slice of cheese - make that Edam - in the Netherlands next year.

See you there!

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, Getty Images

So Hatari did make a political statement after all - by holding up Palestinian banners during the votes.

The Icelandic punks have been highly critical of Israel's policies towards Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza and were not going to let a globally televised moment like that go to waste.

One of Madonna's backing dancers was also seen with a Palestinian flag on their back on stage.

Organisers said the flags had not been cleared. They also said Hatari may face consequences for their actions.

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, EPA

The juries may have had the hots for Sweden and North Macedonia, but the public had the final say and made The Netherlands this year's winner.

Bet there'll be plenty of orders for that chandelier now.

But spare a thought for poor Michael Rice, who came last for the United Kingdom.

Maybe Josh Dubovie and Andy Abraham can buy him a pint.

The Netherlands! The bookies were right all along.

But for how long?

They just got 291 points from the public vote....

It's nul points for Germany from the public vote!

only three points from the public vote! And Michael Rice sang so well.

"He did all he could," Graham says.

It could be all change as the public votes are announced.

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, Getty Images

...order has been restored with perennial Eurovision heavyweights Sweden at the top of the leaderboard with 239 points.

After surprising everyone at the halfway stage, North Macedonia are running them close with 237 points.

The Netherlands are ranked third with 231 points, while Spain are bottom with just seven points.

Now it's time for the public to have their say.

Just in case you missed our post earlier on, here's an explainer for you on the voting:

• After all songs have been performed, each country will give two sets of points. One set is given by a jury of five music industry professionals, while the other is from viewers at home.
• Viewers can vote by telephone and through the official app but you cannot vote for your own country.
• Once the voting window has closed, the spokespersons in all participating countries will reveal their jury points live on air.
• Next, viewers' points from all participating countries are added up, and revealed from the lowest to the highest.
• This leads to the nail-biting result, which will reveal the winner of the 64th Eurovision Song Contest.

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, Reuters

With half the jury votes in, North Macedonia have built up a narrow - and, let's be honest, surprising - lead.

No wonder Tamara Todevska is "nearly having a heart attack right now" - along with most of her country, no doubt.

Sweden are second, while Azerbaijan are currently third.

There hasn't been much love for the United Kingdom, who are languishing near the bottom of the leader board.

Tamara Todevska, who is representing North Macedonia, is currently top of the leaderboard - but don't forget, this is only the jury vote. The public vote could change everything!

North Macedonia!! Announced by the lovely Rylan.

Italy and the Netherlands are doing well early doors.

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, Getty Images

By the way, we had a couple of musical performances while we were waiting for Madonna.

Netta returned to sing her new single Nana Banana, while there was a stirring performance from multi-ethnic music collective The Idan Raichel Project.

A bell tolls and the stage is occupied by monks as Madonna takes to the stage to sing Like A Prayer. Dare we say, it’s a pretty flat performance (if you catch our drift).

She then descends a staircase and breaks into Future, her new single featuring Quavo.

"A slightly muted response to Madonna there," Graham says diplomatically.

Here she is!

Madge, sporting an eyepatch, tells the performers "you're all winners.... earn your way to the place you are right now".

Graham Norton commented: "What a trooper showing up with what looks like a nasty case of conjunctivitis."

The singer was keen to talk about the "power of music", and got the audience to chant: "Music makes the people come together, yeaaaah."

The host, who looked very pleased to see her, took the audacious step of proposing, despite him adding his husband "might not like it". She didn't seem to mind, replying: "Tell your husband to get lost."