Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest final is set to take place in Basel in May, after Switzerland’s Nemo won this year's final. Alamy Stock Photo

Ireland, Israel and the Netherlands among 38 countries confirmed for next year’s Eurovision

In October, the Netherlands confirmed it would take part in the song contest despite the controversial exit of its 2024 entrant Joost Klein.

THE 38 COUNTRIES taking part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland have been revealed. 

The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest final is set to take place in Basel between 13 and 17 May, after Switzerland’s Nemo won this year’s final.

Ireland and Israel are on the final list for entrants, as is the Netherlands despite speculation on whether the country would enter the upcoming song contest following the controversial exit of its 2024 act Joost Klein.

Klein was banned from the show following a complaint made by a female member of the production crew.

The 2024 Eurovision was held in May in Malmö, Sweden, but in August, the Swedish Prosecution Authority dropped its investigation into the backstage altercation.

The Swedish Prosecution Authority said the investigation concluded that Klein “made a movement that hit the woman’s film camera”, adding that “the course of events was fast and was perceived differently by the witnesses of the incident”.

“I cannot prove that the act was capable of causing serious fear or that the man had any such intention,” senior prosecutor Fredrik Jonsson said.

The Eurovision Song Contest is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU),  which is, essentially, an alliance of public service media organisations whose countries are within the European Broadcasting Area.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS blasted the decision to boot Klein off the show in the hours before the grand final as “not proportional” to the incident and its participation in the 2025 contest had been in doubt. 

In October, AVROTROS confirmed it would participate in the 2025 edition but Klein declined the opportunity to take part in next year’s contest, AVROTROS said.

Meanwhile, the EBU this week said it has now put in place a package of measures after a series of controversies last year, including the appointment of a “safety manager in the artist environment” and “seriously reducing the amount of filming behind the scenes”.

Bambie Thug represented Ireland in this year’s song contest and said the atmosphere behind the scenes had been horrible. 

They called for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision and Bambie Thug had threatened to not perform at the final due to an alleged breach of rules by Israeli TV commentators during their semi-final performance.

According to RTÉ’s report, a commentator on Israel’s national broadcaster KAN warned viewers with children that Bambie Thug’s performance would be “the most scary” of the show.

The commentators added that there was some controversy about Bambie Thug’s song in Ireland and that the singer also liked to “speak negatively about Israel” before adding, “prepare your curses”.

Once the final was over, Bambie Thug accused KAN of inciting violence against them.

“So now that I am free I can talk about everything right? KAN, the broadcaster, incited violence against me twice, three times,” they told reporters.

The changes to production for next year’s song contest to ensure the wellbeing of participants includes the implementation of no filming zones, more closed-door rehearsals, and the introduction of a welfare producer to be a key point of contact for artists and staff to “ensure a safe, respectful, and supportive environment”. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
90 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Judge_n_Jury
    Favourite Judge_n_Jury
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 4:45 PM

    Unattractive students creating a stronger right arm. Reminds me of my uni days.

    101
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Valentine
    Favourite Joe Valentine
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 5:13 PM

    Students will be literally pulling the stomach off themselves!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aunty Simmonite
    Favourite Aunty Simmonite
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 4:38 PM

    Is it any use for splitting logs?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leo Latorre
    Favourite Leo Latorre
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 6:28 PM

    Purchased by the US Army in 3… 2… 1…

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pa Jama
    Favourite Pa Jama
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 5:57 PM

    I love living in the future!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Godfrey
    Favourite Tom Godfrey
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 4:39 PM

    Robot chicken

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute i want to be frank !
    Favourite i want to be frank !
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 7:15 PM

    It Might make the arm stronger to a degree but trying to lift or pull something extremely heavy would rip the hand from the arm .

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Brady
    Favourite Kevin Brady
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 5:59 PM

    twould be great for masturbating so it twould. or in a scrap….”come here u ill bate ye”smack!!! then lift him up a throw him like ur super man. im getting one of santa claus

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oisín Tarrant
    Favourite Oisín Tarrant
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 5:04 PM

    Dunno if I wanna put my arm into a robotic vice that costs 1/50th of what it normally does.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Bird
    Favourite Larry Bird
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 9:58 PM

    Granpa’s cough medicine?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alanobrien
    Favourite alanobrien
    Report
    Dec 10th 2013, 8:39 PM

    Go way

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel