This year marks the 70^th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. From its small beginnings in Switzerland in 1956 when only 7 countries took part, the songfest has grown to become, probably, the most watched non-sporting TV broadcast in the world.

Following Austria’s win last year, the contest will take place in Vienna, where 35 countries will compete for everyone’s douze points, including the UK’s act, Look Mum No Computer (aka Sam Battle) with the punky synth pop number, Eins, Zwei, Drei. Yes, the song title is in German, and it seems to be about the joys of jumping on a plane and leaving behind the 9-5 drudge.

That said, with references to jam ‘roly-poly’, and things being ‘okey-dokey’, it has a distinctly British feel. Imagine some sort of mash up between 80s pop legend, Howard Jones, and Ian Dury and the Blockheads, and you’ll get a sense of what le Royaume Uni is trying to achieve.  It’s actually pretty catchy, and really ought to land on the left-hand side of the scoreboard, but I do fear some viewers from across Europe (and Australia of course!) might not get it.

Talking of our Antipodean friends, the land down under has played a blinder and sent one of their biggest stars, Delta Goodrem, who’s already had UK chart success with 5 Top 10 singles. Her Eurovision song, Eclipse, is a piece of piano driven bombastic pop, which has a Top 5 placing written all over it.  If it does win, though, you can forget thoughts of the competition heading to Sydney; the organisers would look to a European nation hosting on the Aussies’ behalf.

Anyway, Australia has strong competition from hot favourite, Finland, who came so close to winning the 2023 contest in Liverpool with the unforgettable Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä (the chap with the lime green plastic bolero jacket).

This time round we have Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen with Liekinheitin (Flamethrower).  Combining pop, rock, dance and classical music, it features Pete on vocals, and concert violinist Linda on, well, violin of course.  It’s dramatic, exciting, instant and really does deserve to give Finland their second win, following in the footsteps of their 2006 triumph, Hard Rock Hallelujah, sung by monster mask-wearing rock group, Lordi.

Now here’s something you probably weren’t expecting – Boy George (yes, Culture Club’s Boy George) is taking part in the contest, representing, wait for it, San Marino.  I’ll let that sink in.  He’s not alone though. The majority of the disco-infused song, Superstar, is performed by Senhit, who’s represented the microstate twice before. She’s got form for luring established names to join her on stage. In 2021, Flo Rida was her plus one rapping on Adrenalina. If you do fancy witnessing Boy George at Eurovision make sure you tune in to Tuesday’s first semi final, just in case San Marino fails to make it through to Saturday’s Grand Final.

What else is worth looking out for? Well quite a lot actually. I think the standard of this year’s contest is pretty good.  Denmark has their best entry since the late 80s: Før vi går hjem (Before we go home), a wonderfully dark track, eye-catchingly staged and performed by, arguably, this year’s best vocalist, Søren Torpegaard Lund.  And Italy has gone old school Italo Disco with Per sempre sì (Forever Yes) by Sal Da Vinci. It’s heartwarmingly fabulous.

So far so good, but not everyone is joining the party in Vienna.  Five countries – Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland, Slovenia, and Ireland – are staying away. They disagree with Israel’s inclusion in the contest.  Here’s not the place to discuss whether Israel should or shouldn’t be in the competition, but there’s no doubt that it has led to strong feelings on both sides of the argument, and put a bit of a dent into the joy usually associated with the competition.

Being the 70^th contest we’re promised a number of surprises to mark this impressive milestone. So wherever you’re watching the contest – at a party, in Vienna, or on your sofa – enjoy it! Here’s to 70 more years of Europe’s favourite TV programme.

The Eurovision Song Contest semi finals are on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May at 8pm. The Grand Final is on Saturday 16 May at 8pm. All on BBC1.