The Eurovision Song Contest continues to be disrupted by the coronavirus, with 2019 winner Duncan Laurence testing positive to COVID-19 two days out from the grand final.
Laurence, who won for the Netherlands with his song Arcade in Tel Aviv two years ago, was due to perform at the final in front of a socially distanced crowd of 3,500 fans.
However, on Thursday evening he returned a positive coronavirus test, meaning he will not be able to be at the Rotterdam Ahoy arena for the event, which begins at 5:00am AEST on Sunday.
"Remembering where it all started and showing you where I’m taking my musical journey next. I’ve never felt this powerless before," Laurence posted on Facebook after receiving the news.
"I’ve been so careful. We’ve all been so careful, but unfortunately things like this can still happen.
"Luckily, both Eurovision and my team are looking for the best way for me to still feature in Saturday’s show! So I definitely will still be part of the Grand Finals after all."
This year's contest is taking place under COVID precautions, with the crowd reduced to 20 per cent capacity at the Ahoy arena. Performers and delegations from the various nations have had to stay in bubbles away from the other competitors, and have been tested every 48 hours.
Earlier this week Laurence opened the show as a guest performer at the first semi-final, where Australia's Montaigne performed her song Technicolour via video-link but missed out on the final.
"I’m so thankful for the amazing moments I’ve had this week. Last Tuesday's opening the show was a dream come true and then receiving the global award for Arcade, I couldn’t stop smiling! How bizarre to now sit here and be full of tears," he said.
"It’s sad I have to watch it all from my living room now, but in my heart I’m there, on that stage, where it all started..."
Laurence is the second performer involved at Eurovision to test positive to COVID-19.
Iceland's entry for this year's contest, Daði og Gagnamagnið, have decided not to perform live in Rotterdam, after one of the group tested positive ahead of the second semi-final.
Daði og Gagnamagnið qualified for the final with their song, 10 Years, and a video of their performance in rehearsal in Rotterdam will be shown in the decider.
