Eurovision Presents Fun with Flags!

In today's episode, flying the flag for EU and others as Eurovision rolls back last year's strict flag policy. It's a coxfest on Radio 2's commentary for this year's event and find out who's in pole position as the results of the BBC's search for the UK's favourite 21st century Eurovision song are revealed. I'm Stephen Perkins and this is Doucepoix. Hello London, we are ready for your vote.

It is Monday, 28th of April 2025, and with just over three weeks to go until this year's contest begins, I am back with another news update.

So let's check in with the latest headlines from the world of Eurovision. One of the many elements of Eurovision 2024 that caused controversy was the extremely heavy handed flag policy, which saw audience members having pride flags and EU flags confiscated on their way into the arena and even winner Nemo having to smuggle the non binary flag onto the stage. Following a backlash from fans, the EBU promised to review the flag policy for this year's event in Basel.

And now the new rules have been revealed with greater freedom for audience members. Flags will be allowed at Eurovision as long as they do not contravene Swiss law. So flags that promote discrimination or banned terrorist organisations, for example, are still not permitted. But pride flags and EU flags will be allowed in the audience this year, as will flags from non competing countries, apparently including the Palestinian flag, which was another source of controversy in previous contests.

However, the rules will be a lot tighter for delegations who will only be allowed to display the official flag of the country that they are representing while they are on stage or giving scores, as well as when they appear at any official Eurovision events, including the opening ceremony and appearing in the green room. As for the opening flag parade, each act may only carry one flag and that will be provided by host broadcaster SRG ssr. This does feel like a reasonable compromise to me.

The draconian restrictions on the audience have been lifted and they are allowed freedom of expression.

And the policy for the artists, while a little rigid, does seem like the only realistic way to avoid the show itself from becoming overtly politicised. It is a shame that events like the mass showing of solidarity for Ukraine in 2022 through flags would not be allowed under these rules. And it does seem unfair certain acts.

For example, Danish entrant Sisal, who is Faroese, has posted on social media that she would have wanted to display the Faroe Islands flag on stage at Eurovision if she could, but there was probably never going to be a version of this rule that pleased everyone. And perhaps we'll see a gradual loosening of these restrictions in future years if the 2025 contest manages not to be too controversial.

I know Dare to dream right in slightly more UK centric news, the BBC's Radio 2 Eurovision coverage has added a new host to its line up as Sarah Cox will be heading to Basel next month to join Richie Anderson on the Radio 2 Commentari team.

Richie made his Eurovision commentary debut last year in Malmo, while Sarah has plenty of previous form, having been part of the BBC3 semi final commentary team in 2011 and 2012 and also returning in 2021 when the coverage was on BBC4 to stand in when Rylan was unavailable due to illness.

Meanwhile, there have been more announcements of guest performers who will be taking part in this year's contest.

In addition to the artists whose participation has already been spoken about on this podcast, we can look forward to appearances from Effendi, who represented Azerbaijan in 2021 with Mata Hari and finished in 20th place Larupe, who represented Lithuania that same year with Discotheque and finished eighth and Jurgen Olsen, who won the contest for Denmark in 2000 as one half of the Olsen Brothers with Fly on the Wings of Love.

More details on what they'll all be doing will hopefully be revealed as the contest draws closer. And finally, you may remember a few weeks ago we Talked about the BBC Radio 2 poll to find the UK's favourite 21st century Eurovision song. Well, the results are in. Skip ahead now if you don't want to be spoiled. I'll give you a moment. Okay? The results are in and inevitably Sam Ryder has topped the poll with spaceman, the United Kingdom's second place finish from Turin in 2022.

The rest of the top five was made up almost entirely of past Lorraine's euphoria for Sweden from 2012 in second place, Conchita Verst's Rise Like a Phoenix for Austria from 2014 in third place and Alexander Ryback's Fairy Tale for Norway from 2009 in fourth with Karija's Cha Cha Cha, the 2023 runner up from Finland in fifth place.

Now let us never speak of this again. That is all for this week. I will be back next week with another full length episode when Eurovision journalist Adrian Bradley will be joining me to predict who will triumph in this year's semi finals. It's going to be a good one, so don't miss it.

In fact, if you haven't done so already, why not subscribe via your podcast platform of choice to ensure you don't miss any of our upcoming episodes, especially as we'll be doing lots of extra shows in the week of Eurovision itself. And if you'd be so kind as to give us a glowing review while you're there, we'd be very grateful for your help in spreading the good word about Tous Poirot.

Until next time, good night, Europe, and good morning, Australia.