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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rose Hill

UK's Eurovision entry Michael Rice blames BREXIT for coming last

Eurovision's UK entry Michael Rice has blamed Brexit for coming last and scoring just 16 points from Europe.

The 21-year-old hoped to turn the UK's success around with track Bigger Than Us during last night's competition.

However he received just 13 points from the European juries and just three from the public (or Ireland to be exact).

Meanwhile the Netherlands' Duncan Laurence stormed to victory after receiving 492 points for Arcade.

Michael, from Hartlepool, has now spoken out and insisted that it was now impossible for the UK to win the song contest due to political bias.

Michael Rice has blamed Brexit for landing at the bottom of the Eurovision leaderboard (Getty Images)

Eurovision UK entry Michael Rice breaks silence on coming last

He also said that even legends like Gary Barlow and Elton John would be unable to take home the trophy for the UK.

Michael told The Sun: "I always knew I was going to come in this position because of Brexit .

“Do you know what? If it was Gary Barlow or Elton John, they still probably would have come last too.”

This comes after Michael broke his silence earlier today on his placing at the competition in Tel Aviv thanking his fans for all their support.

Michael took to Instagram where he wrote: "Just want to say thank you for all the amazing messages of support! Me and my team have smashed this whole entire journey and I'm just so proud!!

Michael Rice performed Bigger Than Us on the Eurovision Song Contest (REUTERS)

He continued: "I'm walking away with memories, friends, amazing fans and an experience of a lifetime!

"This is just the start, thank you for believing in me."

Michael dropped to the bottom of the board as the jury votes and public votes were combined on Saturday night's song contest.

Eurovision 2019: Viewers convinced UK has NO chance of winning after noticing key issue

Despite a great performance the UK were awarded just 16 points coming in last place (ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/REX)
Michael thanked his fans for all their support (ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/REX)

Those watching certainly thought he had a good chance of winning, hoping countries would vote for him.

However with a lack of votes he had no chance of climbing to the top, which his family have partly blamed on the current political climate.

Speaking to the Hartelpool Mail Michael's grandfather Alan Rice said: "We expected it but he should have got more than that.

Full list of Eurovision 2019 results - who came where revealed

Eurovision 2019: Graham Norton makes savage dig at Madonna

"I think it is all political. But it is not everybody who gets to do something like that and he has done us proud."

Eurovision 2019: Graham Norton makes savage dig at Madonna also echoed Mr Rice's thoughts, saying after the results had been read: "Michael really does not deserve to be in last place. That is so unfair."

The Netherlands went on to take the crown, beating Sweden to the top spot.

UK fans raced to support and praise Michael for his attempt on Twitter , proud of his performance and score despite the end result.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webtv@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033

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