Switzerland’s Nemo wins Eurovision as Bambie Thug finishes sixth for Ireland

By Charlotte McLaughlin, PA Senior Entertainment Reporter in Malmo, Sweden

Switzerland’s Nemo with the song The Code has won the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Nemo Mettler also topped the Eurovision Song Contest jury vote amid protests objecting to Israel’s competing.

The non-binary singer, 24, in a pink skirt and fluffy jumper, balanced on a tipping metal disc as they sang their opera-dance blend The Code on Saturday evening at the Malmo Arena in Sweden. They are the the first non-binary singer to win the contest.

The Swiss entry pipped Croatia to top spot by finishing with 591 points against 547 for the Croatians. Accepting the iconic glass microphone trophy, Nemo said: "I want to say thank you so much, I hope this contest can live up to its promise and continue to stand for peace and dignity for every person in this world".

Ukraine finished third on 453 points, ahead of France on 445, and Israel on 375.

Ireland received 136 points from the audience vote at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Bambie Thug finished in sixth place, with a total of 278 points. The UK received zero points from the audience vote at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Demonstrators, who are calling for a boycott of the competition due to the participation of Israel singer Eden Golan, were pushed back from the venue following them shouting “shame” at fans.

Several protesters were detained and taken away by police including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Contestants appeared to reference conflicts throughout the world, with Lithuania’s Silvester Belt telling the audience to “spread love to the world”, while Ireland’s Bambie Thug declared “love will always triumph hate”.

At the end of Portugal’s Iolanda singing Grito, she told the crowd: “Peace will prevail.”

Slimane, who performed his song Mon Amour, issued another message saying that people should be “united by music for love and peace”.

Earlier in the day, the Netherlands’ entry Joost Klein, was disqualified by Eurovision organisers following an incident between the singer and a camerawoman.

This move was strongly criticised by the Dutch broadcaster Avrotros who called “the penalty very heavy and disproportionate”.

Singer and rapper Klein, 26, entered with the song Europapa, which is a tribute to his late parents.

The EBU said police were investigating a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s semi-final.