Graham Norton’s most cutting Eurovision commentary from | UK News

When the legendary Terry Wogan stepped down from his 35-year reign as the Eurovision Song Contest’s voice in 2008, followers feared it marked the top of an period. But Graham Norton shortly put those fears to relaxation, bringing his trademark sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek allure to the sales space. Norton returns this 12 months for BBC One’s grand last protection on Saturday 17 May, broadcasting stay from Basel, Switzerland, while Rylan Clark and Scott Mills once again cowl the semi-finals on 13 and 15 May.

Norton’s sharp wit has grow to be just as anticipated as the music itself, and over the years, he’s delivered numerous savage one-liners that have gone down in Eurovision historical past. In 2021, he described Germany’s I Don’t Feel Hate by Jendrick as: “This is Marmite if everyone hated Marmite.” He didn’t spare Serbia’s woman group Hurricane either, saying: “Less Destiny’s Child. More Destiny’s Inappropriate Aunt.” Norton often calls out Eurovision’s overblown segments. On the 2018 flag ceremony, he noticed:
“Now it’s time for the flag ceremony. It’s a new tradition. It’s a way of making the show just that little bit longer.”

When Norway’s Alexander Rybak returned in 2018 with That’s How You Write A Song, the 62–year-old host didn’t maintain back: “Ironically the song is not great.”

Slovenia’s entry that similar 12 months, which pretended to undergo a technical glitch, earned the deadpan line: “I liked the bit when she stopped the music.”

Germany’s 2023 heavy steel entry Lord of the Lost noticed the cheeky chat show host declare: “Thank you very much… I just want the nurse to put me back to bed now after that.”

And when Italy’s 2017 entry featured a dancing gorilla, he added: “If you’re going to get someone to dress as a gorilla, at least get a decent outfit. That looks like a couple of old car seats sewn together.”

The Irish funnyman isn’t shy about hinting at behind-the-scenes selections. On France’s 2015 ballad N’oubliez Pas, he quipped: “The producers put together the running order, and given that no song given second place has ever won, I’m guessing they didn’t think much of this.

“Feel sorry for France, the artist is Lisa Angell the song is ‘N’oubliez Pas’ which means don’t forget. Sadly, I fear, we will.”

Norway’s A Monster Like Me prompted: “He said he did something terrible as a boy. We don’t know what it was. It might have been write this song.”

While Albania’s I’m Alive earned the brutal: “OK… That’s three minutes we’ll never get back, but look at it this way: We’ll never have to hear that song again.”

Not even the outcomes bulletins are protected. In 2014, after Finland’s consultant carried out a rap, he mentioned: “Well, that wasn’t embarrassing at all, well done.”

That similar 12 months, when showered with confetti during a phase, Norton quipped: “Oh thank you, it’s so fun! It’s like the gay wedding I’ll never have! It’s gone in my wine!”

Other standout moments embrace his jab at Germany’s 2013 act Cascada: “If you’ve just joined us and thought, ‘Ooh, Denise van Outen’s let herself go’, no, that’s Cascada representing Germany.”

And before Romania’s screechy, strobe-heavy 2013 efficiency, he warned: “If you’re watching with pets or sensitive older people, maybe now’s the time to put them in the utility room.”

Introducing Albania’s 2012 jazz entry Suus, he provided: “This will put fear into your heart – she’s a devoted experimental jazz musician. She can do extraordinary things with her voice… not pleasant things but extraordinary.”

On Sweden’s Eric Saade in 2011: “He looks like a nice boy who’s fallen in with the wrong lot, doesn’t he?”

Even the UK bought a light jab in 2010, with brutal comedian noting: “They’re drinking quite a lot. It’s almost like they think they’re not going to perform again.”

And back in 2009, when 17-year-old Kejsi Tola represented Albania, he mentioned: “The bad news is, you’re about to watch Albania. She’s only 17, so please bear that in mind. Where was her mother? Why didn’t she step in and say no?”

This 12 months, Norton appears to be a fan of Remember Monday, the UK’s entry — but whether or not that will spare them his sass stays to be seen.