Theresa May doesn't like the UK's chances at 2017 Eurovision Contest

The 62nd Eurovision Song Contest kicked off in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, on Sunday with the participation of singers from 42 countries.

"The state border service notes that having accreditation for Eurovision does not give you the right to cross the border", Slobodyan wrote on Facebook. "So I don't really bother with odds". Her exit was sparked by Simon Cowell's controversial choice to keep Jedward in the competition (coincidentally, also Eurovision entrants for Ireland in 2011).

More than 40 countries are competing for their shot at Eurovision glory this year.

Italy's Francesco Gabbani and 17-year old Kristian Kostov of Bulgaria are the runaway favourites to win the competition outright, followed by the acts from Portugal, Sweden and Armenia.

Lingering clouds with building rain chances into the afternoon
By Thursday a cold front passes through leaving us with daytime highs closer to average in the low to mid 60s. Mostly cloudy skies and scattered rain showers develop, with a warm high temperature of 80 degrees.

"We can't do better than Dami, that was a ideal performance by her, we staged it really well and basically all of Europe came with us", he says. "We've been thinking about what we're going to do at the final and what I'll be wearing", she said.

The first Eurovision semi-final airs on BBC4 at 8pm. "We have the differences, but everyone is together nevertheless". She belted out "I Will Always Love You" and got through to the live shows, where she eventually finished in seventh place. Of the 64 acts who have won the contest to date, a little over half (36) represented a country in the European Union or EEC.

Meanwhile, speculation has been rife about the Brexit effect but John is banking on songs and spectacle, not politics and pettiness, winning the day. I know it sound cheesy but it will be awesome for me to have all my friends and family in one place together, especially having such a insane year and not having the time to properly see everyone and be part of things it will just be so nice to have everyone in one room all together.

Speaking on the official countdown show to the Eurovision ahead of the first semi final of the contest on Tuesday night, Mr Sundnes made comments that suggested he had negative preconceptions about Ireland's entry, allegedly saying that Ireland have "lost it completely" when it comes to the Eurovision.