Eurovision final: Sex, violins and seven other things to look out for

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Eurovision final: Sex, violins and seven other things to look out for1 hour ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleMark SavageMusic correspondent, Eurovision Song Contest, ViennaGetty ImagesJonas Lovv will represent Norway at the contest with his song Ya Ya YaThe Eurovision Song Contest reaches its grand final on Saturday night, with Finland, Greece and Australia among the favourites to win. The show is taking place in Vienna, which seems to have prompted half of the contestants to throw an operatic riff into their song, whether it needs it or not. Elsewhere, you can expect death-defying dance moves, sexually suggestive rock anthems and the longest sustained note in Eurovision history.

Here's a guide to (some of) the highlights. You can watch the show live on One and iPlayer from 20:00 BST on Saturday. 1) A Greek cinderella storyGetty ImagesEight months ago, Greek singer Akylas was down on his luck.

The Details

"I was in Athens, I was working as a waiter, and I quit my job to start singing in the streets," he tells the . "I had so many people telling me that I was wasting my time. People would bully me in the street I was busking, trying to pay my rent and my bills.

I was struggling – so it's crazy that now I'm representing my country at Eurovision. "The 27-year-old is tipped for a top three finish with Ferto, a hyperactive dance anthem that smashes together rave synths, video game sound effects and traditional Greek instruments like the lyra. Lyrically, Akylas looks back at his childhood during the Greek financial crisis.

"It's about all the parents, who are trying to provide the best for their children, and all the sacrifices that they make, like my parents did," he says. 2) Could Australia win? And why are they at Eurovision in the first place?

What Experts Say

Getty ImagesAustralia has been obsessed with Eurovision since Abba won in 1974. As a gesture of goodwill, they were invited to take part in the contest's 60th anniversary in 2015, as a one-off wildcard entry. They embraced the show with such enthusiasm they've been invited back every year since – but after crashing out in last year's semi-final, they're determined to win in 2026.

Taking no chances, they've sent actual platinum-selling pop star Delta Goodrem, with a power ballad so polished you can see the whites of her eyes in it. It has a chorus that would make Celine Dion jealous, and features a baroque piano breakdown before an almighty key change in the final refrain. After Thursday's semi-final, bookmakers slashed Delta's odds, making her a frontrunner for the trophy.

No-one's quite sure what happens if she wins – but Graham Norton has some gossip. Speaking on the Wanging On podcast earlier this week, the 's Eurovision host said he'd been discussing this very topic with Australian broadcaster, Joel Creasey. "He was saying that every year Australia make a deal with someone, in case they win, so that someone will host for them.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.