The Birthday Game: Laura
Laura from Worcestershire turned 51.
She volunteered with an anti-litter group in Evesham and described herself as a part-time Womble.
She also loved theme parks and had become hooked after a trip to Florida.
Laura’s first spin was Destiny’s Child’s Survivor. She preferred the members’ solo work and rejected it.
The second was The Everly Brothers’ Cathy’s Clown. She rejected that too.
Her compulsory final song was Boyzone’s All That I Need, number one in 1998.
Laura did not initially recognise it but accepted the result as suitably distinctive.
Meeting the King and Queen Consort
Scott and Rylan broadcast from Liverpool after being invited to the Eurovision arena for the official unveiling of the stage.
The stage design represented a large embrace from the UK to Ukraine and used more than 2,000 lighting fixtures.
Scott had rehearsed the correct royal greeting with etiquette expert William Hanson.
When Queen Consort Camilla approached, Scott successfully said “Your Majesty” but was then so pleased with himself that his next question was simply whether she was all right.
Rylan discussed The Archers with Camilla and recreated the way a performer had made a dog noise on the studio floor.
Loreen
Loreen joined Scott after returning to represent Sweden with Tattoo.
She described the song as a cinematic love song intended to make listeners feel free.
The same group of writers behind Euphoria had sent her the initial demo.
Loreen said she heard it late one evening while drinking wine and immediately fell in love with it before knowing it might become a Eurovision entry.
She recorded the song first and was asked about returning to the contest afterwards.
Advice for Mae Muller
Loreen praised Mae Muller’s energy, integrity and talent.
She believed Mae’s personality and confidence would connect with young women.
Her main advice was to remember why she was performing and to focus on giving the audience all of herself rather than becoming distracted by competition, pressure or ego.
Loreen’s favourites
Loreen praised Finland’s Käärijä, Norway’s Alessandra and Spain’s Blanca Paloma.
She admired the diversity of the artists and described Blanca Paloma’s performance as spiritual.
Scott also played archive audio from his first interview with Loreen after her appearance on Swedish Idol.
Both were struck by how young they sounded.
Handover
Sara Cox thanked Scott and Rylan after their royal visit and the interview with Loreen.
COMMENTS