RECAP Eurovision 2023 Grand Final: updates, pictures, voting and results from Liverpool

Loreen and her song Tattoo were installed as favourites to win Eurovision before the Song Contest had begun in earnest. She wears a nude bodysuit and massive nail extensions for her performance, which was accompanied by bursts of bright lights. She has won before, in 2012.

Am I allowed to say that it has a touch of Abba about it in the quiet bits? She is the one to beat.

Singer Albina Kelmendi is joined on stage by five of her family for a stirring performance. Dressed in all black and with lightning striking all around them it has gone down well with the fans.

Marco has been at Eurovision before. In 2013 he finished 7th and has since released seven studio albums. He’s brought a heartbreaker of a love song to Liverpool….. from his upcoming album.

A massive star in Italy he certainly has the stage presence and vocals but the song feels a bit wet for me. The dancers falling of steps onto a trampoline are good though.

Alika, who won Estonia Idol in 2022, has brought along a haunted piano that plays itself and it is a very fitting metaphor for the song, which reminds me of a James Bond movie title track.

“In his Eurovision entry, Käärijä fuses rap, electronic music, metal, and schlager, with a performance that incorporates ballroom dancing, a neon green bolero jacket, and lots and lots of wooden pallets.”

Whatever it is, it is a massive favourite. And in the fan park too.

I’ll be singing Cha, Cha, Cha in my sleep....whilst dreaming I’m about to do an undercover deal in gangster’s nightclub.

Vesna is an all-female band led by acclaimed singer and songwriter Patricia Kaňok. They are dressed in all in pink with long ponytails that swing around when they dance. The harmonies are incredible.

Voyager have applied for every Eurovision since Australia was first added in 2015. And this could be the last shot for their nation too, as the Aussie’s deal is up for renewal after this year.

They are certainly giving it their best with a rock-synth performance that wouldn’t be out of place on the Lost Boys movie soundtrack. Guitars, long hair, pyrotechnics and a car on stage. What’s not to like! I hope they win.

Gustaph has been to Eurovision twice before - doing backing vocals for Belgium. Now he is the main man. He’s wearing an amazing, white Boy George-style hat and is belting out some catchy electro-pop that gets big screams from the fans. He’s hitting some really high notes and the crowd are singing every word.

Well that’s 16 down and ten left to go. The sun is going down on the fans outside at the Eurovision Village... always a magical time to watch a gig I think.

Elen Yeremyan, AKA Brunette, is 21 and started singing at the age of 12. She’s dressed like a pop star in thigh high boots. The track has haunting early vocals and breaks into more of a rap midway through with a dance routine. There’s a bit of everything this one.