Ireland failed to qualify for the Eurovision Song Contest grand final, despite Wild Youth’s best efforts.
The indie rock band from Dublin were among five bands eliminated in the first 15-person live semi-final of the week at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
The 10 countries that qualified for the grand final were Croatia, Moldova, Switzerland, Finland, Czechia, Israel, Portugal, Sweden, Serbia and Norway.
Wild Youth frontman Conor O’Donohoe took to the stage in a sparkling gold jumpsuit as the band tried to help Ireland reach the Grand Finals for the first time in 2018.
He also donned a green shamrock necklace and was surrounded by pyrotechnics to sing the band’s song We Are One as the stage lit up in gold and Irish fans waved the national flag in the crowd.
Ireland have appeared in Eurovision more than 50 times with a record seven wins, but have failed to make the final since Ryan O’Shaughnessy entered with his song Together in 2018.
A total of 15 artists are taking part in the first of the competition’s two semi-finals, with only the top 10 artists reaching the grand final on Saturday.
Read more: Eurovision week – all you need to know about the contest watched by 160 million people
Wild Youth faced stiff competition from a number of Nordic countries also competing, including former winner Loreen representing Sweden, fan favorite Kaarija from Finland and Norway’s Alessandra.
A short video kicked off the evening featuring local famous faces including Wirral-born TV baker Paul Hollywood, actor Ricky Tomlinson and the late Paul O’Grady.
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It was followed by a pre-recorded surprise appearance from the King and Queen, who unveiled the staging last month.
Rita Ora, known for number one hits I Will Never Let You Down, How We Do and Hot Right Now, also performed a medley of her songs and her new single Praising You.
Rita Ora during the Eurovision semi-final
Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham greet alongside Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina of The Hardkiss, all three wearing extravagant outfits with an array of leather, giant bows and rainbow colors.
Spice Girl Melanie C also made a surprise appearance as announcer and introduced the show and hosts, before leading the crowd in a chant of “Liverpool, Liverpool”.
It comes after Frankie Goes To Hollywood Reunited 36 Years After Split to mark the start of Eurovision on Monday, in front of a crowd of 30,000.
The second semi-final will take place on Thursday before the grand final on May 13.
