5 key things you missed from Eurovision 2024 - from boo ban to secret messages

The Eurovision Song Contest took place on Saturday night, with the official slogan 'United By Music'. But fans were far from united in the run-up to the final, with many boycotting the competition over Israel's inclusion in the contest amid the country's war on Palestine.

Many had hoped things would settle down by the time the final rolled round, but the big night was marred with controversy - with one act disqualified just hours before they were due to take to the stage amid a police investigation. The drama didn't stop there.

From the crowd booing and censorship taking place to acts sending secret messages to those watching at home, we take a look at all the little things you might have missed from Saturday night's show.

Read more Eurovision 2024 winner, full results and where the UK finished

Boo ban

Ahead of the final, many Eurovision fans expressed disgust at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for allowing Israel, located in the Middle East, to compete in the contest amid ongoing military actions by the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Palestine.

Critics highlighted how Russia had been booted out of the competition in 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine, with the EBU branded hypocritical and slammed by fans. Despite the backlash and controversy, Israel's representative Eden Golan took to the stage in Sweden on Saturday night and performed, reports the Mirror.

But as she belted out a rendition of her song Hurricane, boos rang round the Malmo Arena - with EBU bosses accused of using 'anti-boo technology ' so viewers watching at home wouldn't hear the jeers from the crowd. "The boos for Israel in the arena are HEAVY," one fan inside the arena wrote on Twitter as they shared a clip of Golan being booed.

"A reminder they're playing fake cheering on the television feeds for that genocidal country #Eurovision," a second echoed. Another told Eurovision fans: "REMINDER if you hear cheers for israel during the broadcast it's cause of the ebu is using anti-booing technique trying to cover up boos with fake cheers for tv, but this is how it's actually like inside the arena !! #Eurovision."

A third wrote on Twitter (X): "Eurovision removed boos an added fake cheering for Israel. Remember this is the same organisation that banned Russia from participating."

Golan finished in second place after receiving an audience score of 304 points, including 12 points from the United Kingdom 's public vote. The 20 year old singer celebrated with her team while jeers sounded throughout Malmo Arena in Sweden as the vote was announced, which put the country briefly in first place with a total of 375 points.

Despite only scoring 52 points from the other country's jury votes, Golan topped the UK's public vote with 12.

Ireland's message

Ireland's representative Bambie Thug, who ended up finishing in sixth place, had to deal with a disastrous situation backstage that might have been missed by viewers. The witchy star, who uses they/them pronouns, has claimed that Eurovision Song Contest organisers did not stand up in their defence amidst a clash with Israel.

Bambie, known for openly expressing their views supporting Palestine, held the Israeli broadcaster, Kan, responsible for breaching the rules and said they are awaiting a response from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about the repercussions of these actions. They aired their concern to journalists in the press centre saying, "So now that I'm free. I can talk about everything right?

"Yeah, so Kan the broadcaster incited violence against me twice, three times. We brought it up to the EBU. They said they follow up. They waited to the last minute, we still haven't gotten statement back to us, allowed us to be scapegoats, allowed us to be the spokesperson for standing up for ourselves."

"And yeah, the broadcaster has disobeyed the rules and I hope next year they won't be able to compete because of that. And behind the scenes you don't know the amount of pressure and the amount of work that we have been doing to change things and I'm so proud for Nemo for winning.

"I'm so proud that all of us are in the top 10 that have been fighting for this s*** behind the scenes. Because it's been so hard and I'm so proud of us. I just want to say we are what Eurovision, the EBU is not what the Eurovision, the EBU is what makes this, f*** them, the EBU I don't even care anymore."

They voiced their stress, remarking that what truly makes the competition is "the community behind it, the love and the power and the support of all of us is what is making change". Ireland's leader Simon Harris commended Bambie for a "stunning performance and tour de force at Eurovision 2024".

Allegations of Censorship

Portugal's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, Iolanda, expressed her belief that "peace will prevail" after her song Grito was performed at the grand finale. Singer Lolanda took the opportunity during her stage time in Sweden to pay respects to the people of Palestine, with her nails sporting a Keffiyeh-inspired design.

However, a number of Eurovision loyalists suspect that the EBU didn't take well to her tribute, accusing the organisation of subsequently censoring the singer's performance. One fan voiced their dismay on Twitter on Saturday night, saying: "The EBU has not uploaded Portugal's performance to the official YouTube channel," they complained, adding, "I'm at a loss for words. Absolutely appalling behavior. Fire them all. It's what they deserve."

Critics commented on the seemingly mild forms of protest being censored. One remark went: "The mildest ever protest - some nail art (not even the Palestine flag) and saying 'peace will prevail' - is being censored by Eurovision," with another outraged viewer claiming, "PORTUGAL IS BEING CENSORED. EBU uploaded our semifinal performance instead of tonight because of Lolanda's nails. GO f**k you @Eurovision @EBU_HQ #eurovision."

Protests outside

Unbeknownst to many fans watching the glamorous event at home, there were significant disturbances outside Malmo Arena on the night of the final. Presenters and commentators made no mention of the protests unfolding as ticket holders prepared for the show.

Scuffles broke out at the entrance to Saturday night's venue as pro-Palestinian protesters heckled fans en route to the event. The picketers, calling for a boycott due to the participation of Israel's Eden Golan, flanked both sides of the queue leading into Malmo Arena.

Tensions heightened when police intervened, detaining several protesters who could be heard shouting "free Palestine" and "shame" at attendees. This occurred before performances by Golan and representives from Ireland, Bambie Thug and the UK's Olly Alexander.

On stage, Golan received a mixed reception, met with boos and cheers during the grand final.

Mae Muller's message

In a tweet posted on Thursday, last year's UK Eurovision representative Mae Muller opened up about her struggles with the contest, stating "the pressure is just too much, its a shame cos i luv performing and i luv music but the fans were the only thing that made it enjoyable. more needs to be done to protect the artist's mental health because it's not actually normal what they go through."

On Saturday night, as the Eurovision Song Contest final aired amidst Israel's military operations, Mae expressed her solidarity with Palestine, tweeting "Free Palestine" and sharing her dismay at the juxtaposition of news reports on Israel's actions and Eurovision celebrations: "-watching news reports on israel invading rafah directly after watching them celebrate their 328 votes on eurovision is the most dystopian sh** i have ever witnessed. anyways."