Loreen of Sweden has won the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, becoming the first woman, and only the second person, to do so twice. The singer, who previously triumphed in 2012, narrowly beat Finland’s Kaarija after the public and jury votes were combined.
She had performed her anthemic dance-pop song Tattoo for the international voting public, singing from an illuminated enclosed space on the stage. Her win means she equals the record held by Irish singer Johnny Logan, who triumphed at the contest in both 1980 and 1987.
Sweden’s Loreen claimed victory for the second time with a total of 583 points to second-placed Finland’s 526. However, it was not a good night for the K’s Mae Muller came second from last, with a total of 24 points.
Loreen returned to the stage after her win was announced and was handed the trophy by last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine. She said: “This is overwhelming. I’m so happy and I’m so thankful.”
Addressing the crowd, she said: “Thank you for this, this is for you.” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: “Liverpool, you’ve done the United Kingdom and Ukraine proud. What a fantastic celebration for #Eurovision2023 Congratulations @Loreen_Talhaoui
“Sweden it’s over to you.” Presenter Julia Sanina was hugged by co-hosts Alesha Dixon and Hannah Waddingham at the end of the final.
Dixon said this year’s contest was something “that will live in our hearts for a very long time”. Winner Loreen took to the stage to perform her song Tattoo for a second time and close the show.
Speaking after coming off stage, Loreen said: “It feels crazy. This is so surreal, man, I’m happy and I’m thankful, I’m thankful to all you guys out there that voted for me. “The only thing I feel right now is so much love. Not in my wildest dreams did I think this was going to happen.”
She said sitting and hearing the votes coming in was “so surreal”. She added: “I’ve lived this performance for six months. It’s been my whole life basically.” Speaking at a press conference, Loreen said she had been “very naive” when she competed in 2012.
She said: “I didn’t know what to expect, so this time it’s like going back to a family, we have had an 11-year relationship, we know each other by now.
“This experience was more motherly and effortless.” The said she “absolutely” thought Ukraine should be given the chance to host the contest in the future. “I love Ukraine, I’ve been a lot to Ukraine,” she said. “It hurts me to see what’s going on.”
Viewers were surprised earlier in the contest when The Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance playing the piano during the opening performance of Eurovision. Kate played a pre-recorded instrumental piece, created by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel, which was recorded in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle earlier this month.
She wore a blue Jenny Packham dress and earrings which belonged to the late Queen.
The 10-second clip appeared in a performance by last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra, which included contributions from Lord Lloyd-Webber, Sam Ryder, Ms Banks, Ballet Black, Bolt Strings and Joss Stone.
The results and points in full are:
