Cliff Notes – Graham Norton leaves Eurovision final viewers in stitches with ‘brutal’ Margaret Thatcher jibe
- Graham Norton, the BBC’s Eurovision commentator for 16 years, delivered humorous commentary, including a comparison of Ukraine’s entry to a young Margaret Thatcher, which resonated with viewers on social media.
- His remarks about Italy’s entrant resembling the child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and comments on Israel’s performance sparked laughter and highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding the country’s participation.
- Despite disappointment over Ireland’s failure to qualify, Norton maintained his comedic edge, joking about an audience member holding an Irish flag during the event.
Graham Norton leaves Eurovision final viewers in stitches with ‘brutal’ Margaret Thatcher jibe
Graham Norton has served as the BBC commentator for Eurovision for the past 16 years (Picture: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon)
Eurovision returned tonight as the final aired in Basel, Switzerland, which meant more incredible commentary from the one and only Graham Norton.
And in true Graham style, the Irish broadcaster had viewers cracking up with his close-to-the-wire remarks.
Fans of the camp competition took to X to laugh along with Graham’s witty quips, which have been an essential part of the UK’s Eurovision coverage since 2008, when he took over from Sir Terry Wogan.
The BBC host giggled as he said that Ukraine’s entry resembled a young Margaret Thatcher while introducing Ziferblat to the stage with his song, Bird of Pray.
‘Graham Norton giving us an unexpected but welcome cross in the “Mention of Maggie Thatcher” box for Eurovision Bingo’, laughed @smcarthyplc.
User @davidbroone51 jested: ‘Loved Graeme’s comment before Ukraine the guy looks like a teenage Margaret Thatcher he’s no wrong funny eyebrows [sic]’.
He joked that Ukraine’s entry resembled a young Margaret Thatcher (Picture: BBC)
Italian entrant Lucio Corsi was also compared to the child catcher – oops (Picture: BBC)
Another fan, @kehoeG23, was cackling at the host’s cheeky comment: ‘Graham Norton with the shout of ‘I’m not trying to imagine what Thatcher would look like at the prom but here’s Ukraine’s entry’ is absolute gold’.
@kaytweets_x thought Graham’s quick wit was rather close to the mark: ‘Teenage Maggie thatcher Graham is brutal tonight’.
The UK’s Eurovision commentator’s jokes did not stop there, though, as he had the audience in hysterics when he said that Italy’s entry, Lucio Corsi, was ‘dressed like the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’.
Graham went on to make a few more comments that evoked public reaction as, when cameras panned to the audience after Israel’s performance, the comedian told viewers he was ‘not sure how it sounded at home’.
Many took this as a hint that sound editing was at play to make the crowd’s cheers seem louder, given that the country’s participation in ESC has been wildly controversial.
Remember Monday represents the United Kingdom for the 69th Eurovision competition (Picture: EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS)
Ahead of 24-year-old Yuval Raphael taking to the arena, protesters gathered in their hundreds on the streets with pro-Palestine flags amid the war with Gaza.
Two audience members also had to be removed after attempting to storm the stage with paint, which ended up going over a crew member.
‘Graham Norton basically saying we are not hearing the true crowd reaction for Israel is PEAK!’, X user @tzenkethi wrote.
Others saw the comedy in the host’s humour, with @lillybeth23 tweeting: ‘loved Graham Norton’s “I’m not sure what you’re hearing at home but it’s a mixed response here”.’
The talk show host was left disappointed when his native country failed to qualify for a spot in this year’s final, as Ireland did not receive enough public votes in the second semi-final.
Alas, Ireland failed to qualify for the final this year (Picture: AP)
But at least he got a joke out of it, because when the camera showed a Eurovision attendee holding the Irish flag, Graham joked: ‘Who’s going to tell him?’
Thankfully, he was still able to cheer the UK on, with girl group Remember Monday representing us with What The Hell Just Happened?
The theatrical number lit up the stage with its dramatic staging – there was a fallen chandelier, of course – and the stars’ Powerpuff Girl-style outfits.
Holly-Anne Hull, Charlotte Steele, and Lauren Bryne make up the first girl band to perform in Eurovision since Precious in 1999.