Eurovision hopefuls slug it out on YouTube

MORE than 10,000 fans have given an unofficial YouTube thumbs-up to a handful of Irish entrants for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

For the first time since the often ridiculed competition was launched, song hopefuls attempting to win the right to represent Ireland have been able to make their song public before the national final, in the hope of gathering grassroots support.

The estimated 300 entrants dreaming of representing the country in Moscow this May will be whittled down to just six by the time of the Late Late Show live final in a fortnight’s time, where a panel of judges, headed by Linda Martin, will pick the winner.