It's that time of year again! The Eurovision Song Contest is back and this year the competition is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and with the theme this year Building Bridges it's only apt that Australia (who seem to be Eurovision's biggest fans) have been asked to join the festivities for this year only (however i've heard that if they win, they choose who hosts next years event, instead of them hosting it which is the regular rule).

Since its inception in 1956 Eurovision is one of the longest running television programmes and one of the most watched shows (that isn't a sport) with an audience range from 100 million to 600 million internationally.

Last year saw the amazing Conchita Wurst take home the prize and winning Eurovision with her song 'Rise Like A Pheonix'. 2014 was also the first time I'd ever watched Eurovision seriously from start to finish and I have fallen in love (infact i'm kicking myself I didn't get into it sooner). It's the perfect balance between Euro Cheese and actual half decent performers and songs; take 2012's winner Loreen with her song 'Euphoria' (dare I say it but CHOON!).

Eurovision has also been a stepping stone/ career-boosting platform for many well known artists such as ABBA, Celine Dion (my French-Canadian Queen), Lulu and Katrina and the Waves.

Immersing myself completely in all the Eurovision fun this year I even looked up some of the contestants vying for the winning spot on YouTube and making a conscious effort to watch the semi finals.. which had Finland have their first ever entry, PKN, where all contestants had a disability! Denmark's entry, Anti Social Media seemed to be inspired by a mixture of The Beatles and McFly which I loved! however they missed out on a place in the finals...

Belgium's entry Loic Nottet has a very Lorde inspired song (and a rather catchy bridge if you ask me) which saw him win a place in the Grand Finals. Lithuania with real life couple Monika and Vaidas and their song 'This Time' (watch out for the sweet kiss in the song), Azerbaijan with the haunting song 'Hour of the Wolf' and Israel's answer to Justin Timberlake with Nadav Guedji all got a spot in the finals.

Australia being a guest this year didn't have to partake in the semi final rounds and was given automatic entry into the finals, however I feel that regardless of this their entry would have (hopefully) gotten them through anyway.. I can't wait to see Guy Sebastian perform 'Tonight Again'.

As for the UK entry, I have to admit they aren't as anywhere as good as last years contestant Molly Smitten-Downes. Electro Velvet (comprising of Bianca Nichols- from The Voice UK and Alex Larke who was in a Rolling Stones tribute band) are representing with their 'electro jazz' number 'Still In Love With You'. For me it's far too cheesy, which some may argue is great and that it will get us votes, but at the same time the song itself is more of a "talk-sing-song" which I feel is a bit of a cop out.. after all it is still a singing contest, but I guess we'll find out what the other countries think of it soon enough!

I've tried to narrow down my favourites to just one but i'm finding it impossible! So i've narrowed it down to my top 3 fav entries (in which I hope one of them wins)

Australia

Azerbaijan

Lithuania

Eurovision Grand Final is tonight (23rd May) in the UK on BBC One at 8pm

NZ viewers according the BBC NZ website you can watch it on UKTV 24th May at 7am with a repeat on at 6:30pm that evening (please check your local listing to be sure though).

S.

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