Austria’s JJ has won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in a dramatic and nail-biting final showdown with Israel’s Yuval Raphael.
Remember Monday, the pop trio representing the UK with their genre-melding song “What the Hell Just Happened?”, finished in 19th place after receiving the dreaded nul points in the public vote.
Israel delegate Yuval Raphael received a mixed response to her performance, which was almost disrupted when two audience members attempted to rush the stage before being ejected from the arena and handed over to police.
The favourite to win this year was Sweden’s entry KAJ, a Finnish comedy-music trio who sailed through the first semi-final thanks to their sauna-inspired song “Bara Bada Bastu”.
However, JJ wowed both the jury and public voters thanks to his astonishing, operatic performance of “Wasted Love”.
Follow The Independent’s Eurovision blog for live updates.
Key Points
- Austria wins controversial Eurovision Song Contest 2025 while UK flops for the second year running
- Israel's Yuval Raphael 'shaken and upset by protest during final performance
- Meet JJ, the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025
Doctor Who fans react to Rylan Clark’s ‘surreal’ cameo in Eurovision-themed episode
08:00 , Greg EvansBroadcaster Rylan Clark has made a special guest appearance in the latest episode of Doctor Who as part of a unique crossover episode with the Eurovision Song Contest.
The 36-year-old played himself in an episode titled “The Interstellar Song Contest” which aired before Saturday’s Eurovision final in Basel, Switzerland.
Doctor Who fans react to Rylan Clark’s ‘surreal’ cameo in Eurovision-themed episode
Watch: Pro-Palestine activists take to Basel streets ahead of Eurovision
07:01 , Greg EvansPro-Palestine activists marched through the streets of Basel, Switzerland on Saturday to protest Israel’s inclusion in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The activists chanted “Free, free Palestine” and “boycott Israel” as they marched.
Many had smeared themselves with fake blood and held banners and Palestinian flags aloft.
Eurovision 2025 final viewers declare Remember Monday’s performance ‘sensational’
06:00 , Greg EvansAlthough the girl group failed to win any points during the public vote, UK fans were proud of the group who did very well overall, scoring 88 points.
Eurovision 2025 final viewers declare Remember Monday’s performance ‘sensational’
Eurovision fans left feeling sorry for Graham Norton after Celine Dion fails to make appearance
05:00 , Greg EvansEurovision fans are expressing their sympathy for Graham Norton, after the BBC presenter was left disappointed as Celine Dion failed to make a special appearance at the final in Basel, Switzerland.
Speculation had mounted that the Canadian singer could perform, given Switzerland's victory in 2024 – their first since Dion's own triumph in 1988.
Eurovision fans left saying the same thing after Celine Dion no show
Who is JJ? Meet Austria’s Eurovision 2025 champion
04:00 , Greg EvansAustria’s 2025 Eurovision entry JJ triumphed at the grand final after a nail-biting showdown with Israel’s delegate Yuval Raphael.
After the public votes were added to the jury points for each country, Israel appeared to be on track to win this year’s contest, in spite of protests over the country’s participation in the contest.
However, the 24-year-old Austrian-Filipino artist who goes by JJ, full name Johannes Pietsch, topped the leaderboard after receiving a total of 436 points.
He might already have been familiar to UK viewers before competing in Eurovision, as he appeared on The Voice back in 2020.
Find out more about JJ below.
Video: The moment Austria's JJ is crowned the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest winner
03:01 , Greg EvansEurovision viewers stunned by Liam Payne doppelganger Luca Hänni: ‘Thought I was hallucinating’
02:00 , Greg EvansViewers of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest final in Basel, Switzerland, were left doing a double take when singer Luca Hänni took to the stage, as many believed he shared a remarkable resemblance to the late Liam Payne.
Hänni took part in a special medley of Switzerland’s previous Eurovision entries where he performed his song “She Got Me”, which finished fourth in 2019 with a total of 364 points from the jury and public votes.
Eurovision viewers stunned by Liam Payne doppelganger: ‘Thought I was hallucinating’
Israel’s Yuval Raphael ‘shaken and upset’ after protesters target Eurovision final performance
01:00 , Greg EvansIsraeli singer Yuval Raphael was left “shaken and upset” after pro-Palestinian protesters tried to storm the stage during the Eurovision Song Contest final.
The incident took place as the October 7 survivor sang her entry New Day Will Rise, which was greeted with cheers and boos, as BBC Eurovision commentator Graham Norton said there was a “mixed response” in the arena in Basel, Switzerland.
A spokesman for Israeli broadcaster Kan said the protesters “were blocked by security officials, but Raphael was shaken and upset”.
Read more below:
Israel’s Yuval Raphael performs to mixed response at Eurovision 2025 final
Austria wins controversial Eurovision Song Contest 2025 while UK flops for the second year running
Sunday 18 May 2025 00:43 , Roisin O'Connor
Austria wins controversial Eurovision 2025 while UK flops for the second year running
JJ is the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025
Sunday 18 May 2025 00:03 , Roisin O'Connor
Three countries to go, with Israel in the lead
Saturday 17 May 2025 23:57 , Roisin O'ConnorAustria needs 99 points to win...
10 points for Spain from the public, ouch!
Saturday 17 May 2025 23:49 , Roisin O'ConnorSorry but this is what happens when you send the same song every year.
Eurovision viewers stunned by Liam Payne doppelganger Luca Hänni: ‘Thought I was hallucinating’
Saturday 17 May 2025 23:44 , Roisin O'ConnorEurovision viewers stunned by Liam Payne doppelganger: ‘Thought I was hallucinating’
Who is JJ? Meet Austria’s Eurovision 2025 contestant
Saturday 17 May 2025 23:29 , Roisin O'ConnorThe jury vote is neck and neck between Austria and Switzerland
Saturday 17 May 2025 23:25 , Roisin O'ConnorAs we all know, the public vote changes everything. But things are looking good for Austria right now...
And for the UK! Left side of the leaderboard, can you believe it.
Remember Monday are doing the UK proud!
Saturday 17 May 2025 23:21 , Roisin O'ConnorOne thing’s for sure, the UK isn’t going to be walking away from the 2025 contest with its tail between its legs... 12 POINTS FOR THE UK FROM ITALY!
Douze points for Austria from Sweden!
Saturday 17 May 2025 23:12 , Roisin O'ConnorNot surprised the Swedes were fans of the Nemo-like JJ.
Voting is closed, here come the results!
Saturday 17 May 2025 23:11 , Roisin O'ConnorAre we all sitting comfortably? Biting our nails? Excellent.
Israel’s Yuval Raphael ‘shaken and upset’ after protestors target Eurovision final performance
Saturday 17 May 2025 23:06 , Roisin O'ConnorIsrael’s Yuval Raphael performs to mixed response at Eurovision 2025 final
Israel's Yuval Raphael "shaken and upset" by protest
Saturday 17 May 2025 22:56 , Roisin O'ConnorIsraeli representative Yuval Raphael was left "shaken and upset", after protesters rushed towards her while she was on stage during the Eurovision Song Contest final.
A spokesman for Israeli broadcaster Kan said the protesters "were blocked by security officials, but Raphael was shaken and upset".
"The delegation was needed to move location for 15 minutes," he added.
"At the same time, a big anti-Israel protest takes place in the centre of Basel. Israeli national security council issued a warning to Israeli civilians in the city to keep a low profile."
Press Association
THIS IS GENIUS
Saturday 17 May 2025 22:51 , Roisin O'ConnorI am SPEECHLESS, this might be one of my all-time Eurovision moments.
Käärijä vs Baby Lasagna. Winners of our hearts. My goodness.
PICTURE: San Marino's Gabry Ponte
Saturday 17 May 2025 22:24 , Roisin O'ConnorGabry Ponte, representing San Marino, performs "Tutta L'Italia", during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland
Eurovision 2025 nears its end with final two performances
Saturday 17 May 2025 22:20 , Roisin O'ConnorSan Marino's Gabry Ponte is the penultimate performance of the night with “Tutta L’Italia” .
Closing the night’s performance will be Albania’s Shkodra Elektronike with “Zjerm”.
PICTURES: Sweden's KAJ perform 'Bara Bada Bastu'
Saturday 17 May 2025 22:12 , Roisin O'Connor
Who are KAJ? Meet Sweden’s Eurovision 2025 entry and this year’s favourites to win
Saturday 17 May 2025 22:06 , Roisin O'Connor
Israel protesters hit crew member with paint during contest
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:59 , Roisin O'ConnorJust in from the Press Association:
A Eurovision Song Contest crew member has been hit with paint, after two people tried to rush on stage to disrupt Israeli singer Yuval Raphael's performance, organisers have said.
A spokesman for SRG SSR said: "At the end of the Israeli performance a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage.
"They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police."
Now performing: Switzerland | Zoë Më – “Voyage”
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:50 , Roisin O'ConnorI’m gonna say it, Switzerland’s contestant Zoë Më is another “mid” entry this year, and she’s going to get blown out of the water by Malta’s Miriana Conte in about 20 seconds.
Nothing 'mid' about Armenia whatsoever
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:45 , Roisin O'ConnorPARG is great, I love the thrashy metal influences. And his outfit.
Next up: Armenia | PARG – “SURVIVOR”
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:43 , Roisin O'ConnorA few “mid” performances in a row - nice vocals from Greece’s Klavdia but it’s not going to stick in the mind of voters enough to sway them from delegates for Sweden, Iceland, Austria or France.
VIDEO: Pro-Palestine Protest Of Eurovision
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:34 , Roisin O'ConnorEurovision 2025 final viewers declare Remember Monday’s performance ‘sensational’
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:32 , Roisin O'ConnorGreg has been scouring the reactions to Remember Monday and it seems pretty clear: they’re a hit!
Eurovision 2025 final viewers declare Remember Monday’s performance ‘sensational’
PICTURES: Finland's Erika Vikman performs 'ICH KOMME'
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:23 , Roisin O'Connor
Another fan favourite, it's Erika Vikman representing Finland!
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:16 , Roisin O'Connor
Bringing back the "la la las"
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:15 , Roisin O'ConnorSomeone on our audience team shared some fun Eurovision stats with me last week, and one of them was that the “la la la” was incredibly popular at Eurovision in the Eighties but then dropped off again the following decade.
Claude seems intent on bringing the “la la la” back and I have zero complaints. Tres charmant.
Who is Claude? Meet the Netherlands’ Eurovision 2025 contestant
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:13 , Roisin O'ConnorI did a Q&A with Claude, representing the Netherlands, ahead of his performance in tonight’s final:
Next up: Latvia | Tautumeitas – “Bur Man Laimi”
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:08 , Roisin O'ConnorLot of love for Austria’s performance - Latvia I don’t think has much hope of placing top 10...
Up next with Icelandic Jedward: VÆB – “RÓA”
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:04 , Roisin O'ConnorI LOVE THIS SONG.
Fiddles in a banging club anthem? Yes please. If I wasn’t ancient I’d be screaming at a club DJ to play this NOW.
Austria | JJ – “Wasted Love”
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:02 , Roisin O'ConnorI did a Q&A with JJ, as I mentioned, undoubtedly the strongest voice of the contest and, I think, fierce competition for Sweden. My only doubt is that it’s very similar in style to last year’s winner, Nemo.
Remember Monday smashed it, definitively
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:59 , Roisin O'ConnorWhat the hell just happened? Remember Monday smashed it, that’s what. A fantastic performance that should stick in voters’ minds as they get voting.
Even if JJ is up next - definitely the strongest voice in this year’s competition.
A reminder that the UK placed 18th out of 26 last year...
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:55 , Roisin O'ConnorSo here’s hoping the UK will fare better this year with Remember Monday.
Time for the UK's Remember Monday!
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:50 , Roisin O'ConnorI am really rooting for this trio, I genuinely think they have a shot, not at winning, but maybe scraping a place in the top 10?! And I was very doom and gloom (and accurate) about Olly Alexander’s prospects. At least the Remember Monday lot can actually sing live...
UK Eurovision 2025 hopefuls Remember Monday: ‘We’d be mad not to do this’
Next up: Ukraine | Ziferblat – “Bird of Pray”
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:46 , Roisin O'ConnorAccording to the Eurovision website: “With their sound, the trio have set out to blend the deep musical heritage of each member, along with a rich production and heartfelt lyrics.”
They formed in 2015 and rose to national fame a few years later when they competed on X-Factor Ukraine.
Spain | Melody – “ESA DIVA”
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:42 , Roisin O'ConnorHere we go with Spain, who are sticking to their usual formula...
Israel’s Yuval Raphael performs to mixed response at Eurovision 2025 final
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:39 , Roisin O'Connor
Israel’s Yuval Raphael performs to mixed response at Eurovision 2025 final
Who is Yuval Raphael? The singer representing Israel at Eurovision 2025
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:33 , Roisin O'Connor
Who is Yuval Raphael? The singer representing Israel at Eurovision 2025
PICTURES: Laura Thorn performs “La Poupée Monte Le Son”
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:29 , Roisin O'Connor
Estonia next with Tommy Cash's controversial 'Espresso Macchiato'
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:27 , Roisin O'ConnorThe Italians aren’t so keen on Tommy Cash, as they think his song perpetuates a load of silly cliches about them. Personally, I enjoy it to an extent - especially the choreography, and it’s a bop. But it is definitely a parody.
Luxembourg | Laura Thorn – “La Poupée Monte Le Son”
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:24 , Roisin O'ConnorThis is more like it: some very dramatic staging from the fabulous Laura Thorn, representing Luxembourg with this pop song full of flair.
Norway's Kyle Alessandro performs “Lighter”
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:22 , Roisin O'ConnorFirst up (a tough place as you really have to make an impression) is Norway’s Kyle Alessandro. I’m very ambivalent about this one, and Norway usually send great contestants - the staging is good, but Kyle isn’t the strongest singer and for me the staging doesn’t really line up with the song.
How to vote in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 final
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:17 , Roisin O'Connor
VIDEO: UK's Remember Monday rehearses ahead of Eurovision second semi-finals
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:16 , Roisin O'ConnorIs this the most varied lineup we've had in years?
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:13 , Roisin O'ConnorSo says Graham Norton, and I must agree. This year’s Eurovision Song Contest has it all: ballads, techno bops, camp pop and rock music.
