The 65th Eurovision Song Contest was hailed "one of the best grand finals ever" as the music extravaganza returned to a live stage for the first time in two years.
On a night of memorable and jaw-dropping performances from 26 different countries, a limited crowd of 3,000 were able to watch the show live in Rotterdam while millions tuned in on TV.
Eurovision had to be cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but returned this year as a "test" event to a limited live audience and with stringent covid testing in place throughout.
Iceland's entry was the only contest act not able to perform live after the band Daði og Gagnamagnið were forced to self-isolate when a band member tested positive for coronavirus. They were still able to take part in the final remotely with a video of a pre-recorded rehearsal played on the night.
The BBC's host Graham Norton hailed it "one of the best grand finals we've seen in years," before cheekily adding: "Certainly two years."
But later Graham was heard getting emotional and choking back tears as he said: "To put it into context a year ago this venue was a hospital, and tonight, now it's bringing us all together.
"I feel weepy now. But I do think it's just lovely that people have gone not just the extra mile, the extra ten hundred mile to get this show on tonight.
"It's extraordinary that coronavirus has only affected the Icelandic entry in the show and of course Duncan Lawrence the last winner of Eurovision he also can't be here tonight. You did think is this going to be a house of cards? Is it all going to fall apart? But it hasn't. They've put on an amazing show. The last few hours you might have forgotten what is going on in the world because it really has been exceptional. So congratulations to the Dutch team and our hosts here in Rotterdam."
Click below for a full gallery of photos from Eurovision Song Contest 2021:-
The night offered a rich tapestry of music and artistic performances, ranging from glam rock to art pop.
Malta's Destiny had been one of the favourites and performed her song Je Me Casse to a rapturous reception, as did fellow favourite France with Barbara Pravi's stuning solo performance of Voila.
Another favourite was Italy's glam rock band Maneskin performing Zitti e Buoni.
Iceland's Daði og Gagnamagnið performed 10 Years wearing quirky matching knitwear stitched with their face's on the front and three of the band's curved keyboards were at one point connected into a stunning piano circle.
Standout performances included from Russia's Manizha, who started her performance of Russian Woman in a full sized Russian doll outfit.
And Lithuania's The Roop, another of the bookies' favourites, included an impressive dance routine while all dressed in yellow to perform the song Discotheque.
Germany's Jendrik performed I Don't Feel Hate with a dancer dressed as a giant hand pointing two fingers, while the finale of the night saw American rap star Flo Rida peform alongside San Marino's Senhit to the delight of fans.
The winner was decided by a mix of a judges' panel vote from all countries taking part, and a public vote.
The winner was announced just before midnight as Italy's glam rockers Maneskin.
But the UK finished bottom with the dreaded "nul points" for James Newman's entry Embers.
