Graham Linehan, co-creator of the sitcom Father Ted, has accused Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ of antisemitism for airing a classic Eurovision-themed episode instead of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest final. RTÉ is boycotting the event in protest against Israel's participation, opting to broadcast the 1996 episode 'A Song for Europe' on the night of the final.
Linehan described the decision as 'an act of pointed, gleeful counter-programming' and claimed RTÉ was using the show as 'a tool of antisemitic harassment'. He called for the resignation of director-general Kevin Bakhurst. The Irish news site Extra.ie, however, praised the move as 'genius trolling' and dubbed it 'my lovely boycott'.
In the Father Ted episode, characters Father Ted and Father Dougal perform the song 'My Lovely Horse' and receive nul points, a plot reflecting Ireland's historical Eurovision successes. Ireland has won the contest seven times, a record matched only by Sweden.
RTÉ is not alone in boycotting the event; broadcasters from Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland have also declined to send competitors. Instead of the grand final, Slovenia will air documentaries under the theme 'Voices of Palestine', and Spain will broadcast a music programme called 'The House of Music'.
The boycott follows calls for the European Broadcasting Union to tighten rules on voting campaigns, after concerns over Israeli singer Yuval Raphael receiving the most public votes last year and finishing second overall.
