Conchita overcome by Eurovision win

Austria’s “bearded lady” Conchita Wurst finished the clear winner in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

After securing her victory in the host city of Copenhagen, Conchita said: “This night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a world of peace and freedom. You know who you are – we are unity and we are unstoppable.”

The Netherlands came second with Sweden third.

It is estimated the competition was watched by 180 million viewers across 45 countries.

Conchita elicited huge cheers from the crowd as she took the stage in a fitted gown, and her trademark facial hair, before delivering an accomplished performance of her song Rise Like A Phoenix.

She went on to secure her victory with three rounds to spare eventually accumulating 290 points.

Sweden finished third with 218 points, behind second placed Dutch act The Common Linnets who totted up 238 points.

The contest has established itself as a showcase of eccentricities and did not disappoint, with highlights provided by France’s entry Twin Twin, which had audience members singing along with their catchy toe-tapper Moustache, while the Swiss group Sebalter featured a whistling folk-rock number.

Among some of the unusual stage props this year was a trampoline and a human-sized hamster wheel, while there were also some eye-catching outfits.

At one point, BBC host Graham Norton was left speechless by a particularly risque display by Poland’s entry Donatan and Cleo.

Their performance prominently featured scantily-clad female performers suggestively dancing to lyrics which included the line “shake what your Mama gave you”.

Norton, who had been delivering his trademark brand of sardonic commentary throughout the night, himself became the butt of the Danish hosts’ jokes at one point.

He was blasted with confetti before a salvo of fireworks was detonated, prompting Norton to deadpan live into the broadcast camera: “How lovely, it’s so fun. It’s like a gay wedding I’ll never have.”

A shadow was also cast over the competition’s usually entirely light-hearted atmosphere by ill-feeling caused by the current crisis in Ukraine, with Russian entry the Tolmachevy Sisters receiving boos from some sections of the audience.

There were raucous jeers as Azerbaijan, the first country to announce how it was casting its votes, gave 12 points to Russia, and the boos continued as Greece followed up by awarding the country 10 points.

When the immaculately presented female Russian host then appeared via video link to announce the nation’s casting of votes – including seven for Ukraine - the crowd again loudly voiced their displeasure.

Ukraine, for its part, handed four points to its neighbour.

Host Norton, commented on the boos and referring to the Russian entrants, said: “I feel so sorry for those two girls, they’re only 17. It’s unfortunate they’re being subjected to it – but we totally understand it.”