Glasses have been raised to the late Sir Terry Wogan, Finland’s Cha Cha Cha and the butter churning of Mel Giedroyc as fans watching the Eurovision Song Contest final took to social media.
Millions of tweets were shared about the finale in Liverpool as #Eurovision2023 was the top trend worldwide on Saturday night.
For fans in the UK, many made a point of raising a glass as the competition reached its ninth song in tribute to the late Sir Terry, who hosted Eurovision from 1971 to 2008.
“Song number 9 – cheers to Terry Wogan and the first drink of the night,” tweeted one user, while many shared photographs of themselves raising drinks.
Accurately explaining the tradition, Twitter user @BronwenLewis_ posted: “For those who don’t know why Graham Norton raises a glass to Terry Wogan in song 9, it’s because Sir Terry always warned Graham not to have anything to drink until that point in case he got a bit too tipsy.
“Such a lovely way to honour a legend.”
As he introduced Swedish pop superstar Loreen, Norton told viewers: “It is also song number nine, this is traditionally where I would urge you to raise whatever is in front of you – a glass, a cup, a mug – and toast the memory of the late, great Sir Terry Wogan, the man who was and always will be the voice of Eurovision.”
Another Eurovision highlight for viewers on Twitter was TV presenter Giedroyc, who pretended to churn butter dressed in a milkmaid’s outfit during a break between performances.
Giedroyc, who is of Polish descent, wore an outfit in the style of Polish entry Donatan and Cleo who performed My Slowianie during the live Eurovision grand final in 2014.
Twitter user @shadowsofalia posted: “They’re not letting Poland live that down, are they?”
Fellow user, @Ariadne_Reviews, added: “I was not prepared for this this evening.”
While another, @CatWithSausages, took inspiration from Meredith Brooks’ 1997 hit Bitch as they posted: “I’m a bitch, I’m a lover, I’m a Mel churning butter…”
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Finland were among the acts that entertained the most on the evening, as Kaarija sang his eccentric hyper-pop track Cha Cha Cha wearing a luminous green bolero-style jacket with spikes around the neck.
“Finland just gave us more Cha Cha’s than week one of Strictly in 2005,” tweeted @HertsSid.
In response to the Finnish performance, actress and author Emma Kennedy posted: “This is like if a caterpillar was bitten by a radioactive spider and became a villain in a Batman film.
“LOVING IT.”
And @youngvulgarian tweeted: “I want to go on a night out with Finland even though I know it would lead to my certain death.”
Continuing a common theme for Eurovision finals, Norton gained plaudits for his commentary during the contest – but it was the presenting of Hannah Waddingham which garnered the most appreciation from fans on social media.
The Ted Lasso actress was trending on Twitter on Saturday evening as she drew compliments for her appearance and mastery of languages.
“How do I vote for Hannah Waddingham,” tweeted @HSouthwellFE.
Fellow user @HelenLOHara added: “Hannah Waddingham, the human form of the fire emoji.”
