Eurovision axes Dutch entry Joost Klein after controversy over ‘incident’
Eurovision has kicked out the Netherlands’ entrant following a controversy over an “incident” he was involved in.
Joost Klein was alleged to have made verbal threats to a female Eurovision production worker at the event’s venue in Malmo, Sweden, on Thursday night.
Eurovision organisers quashed widespread rumours that the incident was linked to Israel’s delegation, saying Joost Klein’s “inappropriate behaviour” towards the staff member was a “breach of contest rules”.
It is the first time in Eurovision history that an act has been disqualified after reaching the grand final
Israel’s entrant, Eden Golan, in the semi-finals. Pic: Reuters
Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said Klein’s disqualification was “disproportionate”, while the Netherlands’ delegation said it was “shocked” by the decision.
Swedish police said in a statement: “A man is suspected of making unlawful threats at the Malmo Arena on Thursday evening.
A Stop Israel demonstration in Malmo. Pic: AP
“The man has been questioned by the police but not detained. The complainant is an employee at Eurovision. The police have questioned the suspect, complainant and witnesses.”
Klein, 26, had failed to perform at two dress rehearsals on Friday, as the EBU said it was investigating an “incident.”
Around 180 million people around the world are expected to watch 25 entrants slug it out in tonight’s final, with Croatia and Switzerland among those tipped to take the trophy, ahead of UK entry Olly Alexander, with his track Dizzy, and Ireland’s Bambie Thug.
Klein had been due to perform his track Europapa, a happy-hardcore inspired song dismissed by one critic as “so bad” it will “put you off music forever”, but which was nonetheless one of the favourites to win.
Protests have dogged the competition over Israel’s inclusion amid the war in Gaza.
There are more pro-Palestinian protests planned in Malmo on Saturday evening to coincide with the grand final, amid the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Over the last few months, there have been demonstrations and calls for acts to boycott the show, after the EBU refused to remove Israel from the competition, insisting it had broken no broadcasting rules.
On Thursday, 10,000-12,000 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, took to the streets of the city to call for Israel to be excluded.
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Ms Thunberg, 21, claimed Israel is trying to “artwash” Eurovision, referencing the use of artistic performance to distract from perceived negative actions by people, groups, governments or countries.
“The world cannot remain silent in a genocide,” she said on X.
At a news conference the same day, Klein covered his head while Israel’s Eden Golan was speaking to reporters and shouted “why not” when the moderator told her she didn’t have to answer a journalist’s question.
Entertainment
Dancing On Ice dedicated to The Vivienne as vigil held in Liverpool to remember drag queen
RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne was remembered at a vigil in their home city of Liverpool on Sunday night.
James Lee Williams, originally from Colwyn Bay in North Wales, died on 5 January aged 32.
Hundreds of fans and friends of The Vivienne gathered at Liverpool‘s St George’s Hall.
Buildings across the city were lit up in green to commemorate the drag queen and their role as the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard Of Oz musical.
Fellow drag queen Danny Beard said the vigil was “a celebration of someone who touched the lives of so many”.
“The Vivienne was one of the world’s most recognisable drag queens, a proper world class entertainer,” they added.
“And above all a shining beacon in all of our lives and especially for the LGBT community.”
James Lee Williams – better known as The Vivienne. Pic: PA
Since The Vivienne first rose to prominence in 2019, they appeared on a number of TV programmes, including Blankety Blank over the Christmas period.
The first episode in the series of Dancing On Ice on Sunday night also featured a tribute to The Vivienne, who competed on the 2023 series.
Presenter Holly Willoughby said many would have been “saddened by the tragic news”.
“They were a huge part of our show, making it all the way to the final in 2023,” she added.
“They will be very sorely missed and our thoughts are with The Vivienne’s loved ones at this time. So sad.”
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In a tribute released after Mr Williams’s death, a Dancing On Ice spokesperson said they were “deeply saddened” by the news.
They said Mr Williams had made “TV history through their groundbreaking and spellbinding skating partnership”, becoming the first drag act to reach the Dancing On Ice final.
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