Boy George has reflected on his failure to reach the Eurovision Song Contest final after representing San Marino on Tuesday evening. San Marino entrant Senhit had hoped to push through to the final stages of the competition with Superstar, a song written by the Culture Club singer who also joined her onstage at Vienna's Wiener Stadthalle. However, Portugal, Georgia, Montenegro, Estonia and San Marino were eventually eliminated from the competition's first semi-final, a politically charged affair due to the involvement of Israel, following a popular vote.
Boy George's Reaction
Commenting on the disappointment, George, 64, told X followers: 'If you voted for us, thank you so much, I was sad we didn't get through to the final but my @eurovision experience has been fabulous. I wouldn't take a minute of it back. Thanks to @senhitofficial and the entire San Marino delegation.' He added: 'What a fun bunch. We will perform together in Milan in July. At the @RealCultureClub show.'
Controversy Over Israel's Participation
The contest's festive atmosphere has been upended in recent years by a controversy over Israel's military action in Gaza. Five countries have boycotted the 2026 event, including seven-time winners Ireland. And controversial entrant Israel sailed through to the final of the competition with the lovestruck pop song Michelle, performed by 28-year-old Noam Bettan. Bettan faced a mixed reception during the semi-final as a few audience members booed and shouted anti-Israeli slogans, while others chanted his name in support.
The negative reaction to Bettan's performance was audible on the TV broadcast, after Austrian broadcaster ORF, which is hosting the show, said it would not censor protests or negative reactions to any of the contestants. In a statement after the show, ORF and Eurovision organisers the EBU said the audience member had been 'close to a microphone' and 'loudly expressed their views' - both as Israel prepared to take the stage and during their song. 'They were later removed by security for continuing to disturb the audience. Three other people were also removed from the arena by security for disruptive behaviour,' said the statement.
Semi-Final Results and Sound Issues
The semi-final saw 10 countries qualify for Saturday's grand finale, including Finnish duo Pete Parkkonen and Linda Lampenius, who are the current favourites to win. Elsewhere during the contest, viewers were left furious over 'sound issues' as soon into the broadcast many on X complained that a lot of the backing music was drowning out the hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, as well as the commentary.
Irish Boycott and Father Ted Episode
Earlier on Tuesday it was revealed that an Irish TV channel will play a Eurovision-themed episode of Father Ted in place of the final after boycotting the event over Israel's participation. On Saturday night, RTÉ, the country's national broadcaster, will air the sitcom's iconic 1996 episode A Song For Europe, in which priests Ted and Dougal enter the Eurosong contest, a parody of Eurovision, to represent Ireland. The pair perform a disastrous minute-long song called My Lovely Horse and end up receiving 'nul points' after plotting to stop Ireland from winning and having to host the competition the following year.
Austria, this year's host city, has been decked in hearts and the contest's 'United by Music' motto this week, in which singers and bands from 35 countries will compete onstage for Europe's musical crown. But Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland have decided to boycott the competition over Israel's inclusion. Ireland has won Eurovision seven times, making it the most successful country in the competition's history along with Sweden. It will be absent from the competition for the first time in 61 years after confirming their withdrawal in December, citing the 'appalling loss of lives in Gaza'.
