Denmark wins Eurovision, Bonnie comes 19th
Bonnie Tyler is eclipsed by bookies’ favourite Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden but the Welsh singer says she had “a night to remember”.
The 61-year-old singer, who represented the UK with Believe In Me, finished 19th out of 26 acts in Malmo with 23 points.
Ireland’s entry, the dance track Only Love Survives by Ryan Dolan, came in last place with just five points.
The winner was Denmark’s Only Teardrops by Emmelie de Forest, which was predicted to win with odds of 4/6.
Of course I would have liked to bring it back to the UK but it’s been a night to remember. Bonnie Tyler
It topped the table with 281 points, followed by Azerbaijan and Ukraine.
Speaking after the votes came in the Welsh singer, who topped charts around the world in her 80s heyday, said that despite her final score the experience had been “fantastic”.
‘I did the best I could’
She said: “I got the feeling tonight that I got at the Grammy awards. I’m sure a lot of people will be disappointed on my behalf but I have really enjoyed my Eurovision experience.
“I did the best that I could do with a great song. I don’t feel down and I’m ready to party.
“The songs at the top of the table totally deserve to be up there. Of course I would have liked to bring it back to the UK but it’s been a night to remember.”
Tyler’s effort fared better than veteran crooner Engelbert Humperdinck last year, who came second from the bottom when he represented the UK in Baku, Azerbaijan.
But she failed to live up to boy-band Blue who finished in 11th place two years ago.
The last time the UK won the competition was in 1997, with Love Shine A Light by Katrina And The Waves.