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In pictures: Netherlands wins Eurovision song contest

The Netherlands has won this year's Eurovision. Duncan Laurence secured victory in Tel Aviv with ...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

10.44 19 May 2019


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Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

10.44 19 May 2019


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The Netherlands has won this year's Eurovision.

Duncan Laurence secured victory in Tel Aviv with 492 points, thanks to his song Arcade.

It's the fifth Eurovision win for the Netherlands - and the first since 1975.

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Speaking after the contest, Duncan said: "I started one year ago as an ordinary singer songwriter writing songs in his bedroom, and here I am now.

“I didn’t dare to dream to win this trophy, because this is Eurovision and anything can happen, and that’s why I love Eurovision.

"But it happened, the predictions came true, but still I kept seeing them as predictions. [The win] is the result of the hard work as a team."

The United Kingdom came last in the contest - with Michael Rice scoring just 16 points.

Ireland didn't make it to the final, after failing to make it through the semi-final stage.

Madonna, meanwhile, performed at last night's show wearing an eye patch while the votes were counted.

She defied calls for a boycott - using one of her lyrics to tell the crowd "music helps the people come together".

However, two of the pop star's dancers briefly displayed the Israeli and Palestinian flags on the back of their outfits.

Members of the band representing Iceland, meanwhile, held up Palestinian flags during the broadcast - with BBC quoting organisers as saying they will now discuss the "consequences of this action".

Demonstrations were also held by groups protesting against the contest - including by Palestinians in Gaza calling for a boycott, and in Israel by ultra-orthodox Jews protesting against the broadcast being held on the Jewish Sabbath.

May 18, 2019 - Gaza City, The Gaza Strip, Palestine - Palestinian band perform at Gaza city on the rubble of a building destroyed by Israeli air strikes during a musical event calling for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest hosted by Israel. (Credit Image: © Dawoud Abo Al Kas/Quds Net News via ZUMA Wire)

Main image: Duncan Laurence (Credit Image: © Persona Stars via ZUMA Press)
Gallery Images: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

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