Plan B Forum

A Russian octet of folk-singing grannies from a remote village in the Ural mountains will attempt to conquer Eurovision in Azerbaijan this weekend - with a song about housework.
The eldest in the band is 76 - and their track, Party For Everyone, is a tune about domestic chores such as kneading dough, lighting stoves and laying tablecloths.

The band - called Buranovskiye Babushki (meaning Buranovo Grannies) - has lyrics and traditional Russian costumes that might be less sexy than many Eurovision contestants but they beat stiff competition in the semi-final, including former Eurovision winner Dima Bilan.

Daisy wrote:Jedward, my guilty pleasure.

I find them utterly fascinating.

Daisy wrote:

Jedward, my guilty pleasure.

I find them utterly fascinating.

Favourite Loreen has triumphed for Sweden at the 57th Eurovision Song Contest, with her club track Euphoria.

The former Swedish Idol contestant led from early on in the voting, challenged only by Russia's Buranovo Grannies and host nation Azerbaijan.

British entry Engelbert Humperdinck, who opened the contest with his ballad Love Will Set You Free, finished second from last - despite high hopes.

However the 76-year-old was spared the humiliation of 'nil points'.

The legendary crooner, who has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, received just 12 points - from Estonia, Latvia, Belgium and Ireland.

The UK has not won since 1997 and has come last three times in the past 10 years.

There were high hopes for Humperdinck - affectionately known as "The Hump" - given his huge global fanbase, but his draw as first to sing in the contest seemingly proved detrimental.

Historically no-one who has opened the contest has gone on to win, as viewers often tune in late and miss the early contenders.

Twenty six countries took part in the final in Azerbaijan's spectacular Crystal Hall, in front of a live audience of some 20,000.

Up to 125 million typically watch the annual contest on television around the world.

Loreen racked up a massive 372 points on the leader board, leaving a trail of disappointed contenders in her wake.

A combination of points from televoting and national juries decides the winner.

Each country awards points to 10 competitors based on judges' scores and a public vote, with 12 points being the maximum awarded.

"I love you so much. Thank you for believing in me," the 28-year-old Swede told her supporters as she took to the stage to sing one final time.

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."

Euphoria has already topped the charts in five countries, including Sweden and neighbouring Finland. Norway had the dubious honour of last place.

Bagpipes, blindfolds and water fountains all featured in a typically extravagant contest, as well as a celebrated group of Russian pensioners, who performed Party for Everyone, a cross between a traditional folk tune and a dance track, to rapturous applause.

Ireland, who were represented by Jedward for the second year in a row, came 19th - with 46 points - an unexpected slump on their previous performance in 2011, which saw them come eighth.

Their performance of pop track Waterline closed with the 20-year-old Grimes twins jumping into a fountain in the middle of the stage.