Actress Dame Joanna Lumley has been announced as the front of the UK’s jury at next week’s Eurovision Song Contest. Best known for her roles in Absolutely Fabulous and Fool Me Once, Lumley will reveal the jury’s scores during the competition’s grand final in Malmo, Sweden. Lumley expressed her excitement about the role in a statement released by the BBC: “I am delighted to be announcing the jury vote for the UK at this year’s Eurovision. It’s such a fabulous honour to give the iconic ‘douze points’!” Eurovision commentator Graham Norton made the announcement during Friday’s episode of The One Show.
Each country’s jury is comprised of five music professionals who judge the finalists on their music and lyrics, assigning points to their 10 favourite acts. Last year, the UK panel gave the maximum 12 points to the eventual winner, Swedish singer Loreen, while the UK public awarded her five points via a separate televote. Lumley will follow in the footsteps of Nigella Lawson, Mel Giedroyc, Richard Osman, Catherine Tate, and Cheryl Baker, who have all fronted the jury in previous years.
Lumley began her career as a model in the 1960s, before moving onto acting, where she won a BAFTA for her portrayal of Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous and was nominated for a Tony Award. The actress was also made a Dame in the Queen’s New Year Honours list for her services to drama, entertainment, and charity. Her new role will see her deliver the UK’s Eurovision scores in a year when controversy over Israel’s participation has overshadowed the contest, with musicians and politicians in several countries calling for the country to be suspended while the Israel-Gaza war continues.
Organisers have resisted calls for the country to be suspended, saying the show “is not a contest between governments”. However, Israel was forced to change the lyrics of its song October Rain, after officials decided the original was too political. The first version was widely considered a reference to the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel, with some lyrics paying tribute to the victims. Several pro-Palestinian protests are planned for Malmo next week in the run-up to the contest, and Israeli contestant, Eden Golan, has reportedly arrived with “three times” the usual number of security guards
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