Graham Norton has once again become the highlight of the Eurovision Song Contest with his trademark sarcastic commentary, as the competition celebrated its 70th anniversary in Vienna. The 63-year-old Irish presenter, who has hosted BBC's coverage since 2009, delivered a series of scathing jabs at the event's hosts and contestants.
Norton targeted presenters Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, joking: 'Presenting Eurovision may seem like rocket science, but wait til you see these two. You will see more of them tonight than you may want to.' He mocked Victoria's emerald dress, saying she looked like 'the heir to a jewellery fortune', and compared Michael's blue suit to someone 'ready to make balloon animals'.
The comedian also criticised the hosts' lack of chemistry, stating: 'It's him and her. They just do not click. Whatever the opposite of chemistry is, that's what it is - woodwork.' His remarks were met with delight on social media, with one user posting: 'Graham Norton's dislike of Eurovision hosts never gets old.'
Norton didn't spare the performers either. As Denmark's Soren Torpegaard opened the show, he commented on the 'ill advised mesh tops' worn by his team. He also advised viewers: 'There are lots of operatic-style voices tonight! You may want to put the dog in the kitchen.'
The UK was represented by Sam Battle, performing as Look Mum No Computer with his synth track 'Eins, Zwei Drei'. Norton had previously joked to the Guardian: 'The big thing I have learned is to find out what plane the UK act is getting home - and to be on a different one.'
