The 69th Eurovision Song Contest will hold its grand final tonight – and there are already plenty of controversies for fans to get their teeth into.

From the serious – protesters furious at Israel being in the final again – to the slightly less so, such as Italians upset at being lampooned on stage: this contest has it all.

The Swiss city of Basel played host this week to competitors representing 37 countries looking to pick up the coveted crystal microphone trophy.

Here the MailOnline brings you up to speed on all the biggest talking points ahead of tonight’s show, when 26 acts take take to the stage in the St. Jakobshalle from 8pm (UK time).

The finalists are: Norway, Luxembourg, Estonia, Israel, Lithuania, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Austria, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Greece, Armenia, Switzerland, Malta, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, France, San Marino and Albania.

The UK’s entry this year is Remember Monday – a country-pop girl band who will perform their song What The Hell Just Happened in Bridgerton-inspired outfits.

So what are the sub-plots? Who is responsible for the backstage drama? Read on to find out.

Will Israel’s Yuval Raphael get booed when she sings New Day Will Rise? 

The contest, whose motto is ‘united by music,’ has been roiled for a second year by disputes over Israel’s participation – and fans will be keeping a close eye on Yuval Raphael’s performance tonight..

Dozens of former participants have called for Israel to be excluded over its conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Raphael, 24, is set to represent her home nation with her song New Day Will Rise at this year’s contest, after surviving the horrific October 7 attacks just 18 months ago. 

Her predecessor, Eden Golan, was subjected to the most toxic campaign of abuse and intimidation in the competition’s history, and was loudly booed by the crowd during her two performances at last year’s contest in Malmo.

But given her own life-or-death ordeal Raphael is unfazed by the backlash, and has even revealed she’s ‘practised being booed’ ahead of her first performance.

During her rehearsal for the semi-finals earlier this week, protesters tried to disrupt her performance as six people, including a family, obstructed her performance with ‘oversized flags and whistles’.

The audience members were quickly ejected from the St Jakobshalle arena, said the Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, which is organising the event.

Later on, footage from the TV broadcast semi-final shows the Israeli entry being booed once again by some sections of the audience.

The jeers are even more audible on social media footage of the performance – but Raphael was still one of the 10 acts to suceed in yesterday’s public vote and make it through to the grand final. 

Before being chosen to represent her home nation at this year’s Eurovision, Raphael survived the horrific October 7 attacks.

The singer had been attending the Nova music festival with friends when Hamas stormed the venue amid the biggest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust. She hid underneath a pile of dead bodies for hours until she was rescued.

She discovered she was one of just 11 who had survived, crammed in a tiny, four-metre squared concrete bunker filled with some 50 people. 

Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a source of controversy since its invasion of Gaza in October 2023.

More than 53,000 people have been killed by Israel’s bombardment of the besieged territory, with all aid blocked from entering Gaza since March. 

Broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and Slovenia have called for a debate on Israel’s involvement, with protests also taking place in Basel, where Eurovision is being hosted.

Last week, more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on the organisers to ban Israel from the competition. 

The singer said her team were preparing for a hostile reception from the audience by rehearsing with background sounds.

‘I think I’m expecting it [booing],’ she told the BBC.

‘But we are here to sing and I’m going to sing my heart out for everyone.

The ‘disruption’ during Raphael’s dress rehearsal didn’t affect her semi-final performance and despite the ongoing tension, her song is currently among the favourites to win, according to bookmakers.

Despite the huge storm around Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision, Raphael is unfazed, telling MailOnline: ‘I’ve been given another chance at life, so it’s my duty to not be afraid – and to spread the light.

‘I see it as an honour and a responsibility. I love my country, I love the Israeli people.’ 

Why are the Italians so upset at Estonian entry Tommy Cash’s Espresso Macchiato?

Estonia’s pick for the Eurovision song contest sparked outrage in Italy, with the southern European nation calling on organisers to scrap the tune.

However, rapper Tommy Cash, will perform ‘Espresso Macchiato’ – with its lyrics mocking Italians through stereotypes.

The song features exaggerated Italian phrases, references to the country’s coffee culture and also pokes fun at its history with the mafia.

‘Ciao bella, I’m Tomaso, addicted to tobacco. Mi like mi coffee very importante’, he sings in the first verse.

He goes onto sing: ‘Mi money numeroso, I work around the clocko. That’s why I’m sweating like a mafioso’ and: ‘Life is like spaghetti, it’s hard until you make it’.

Italian media  slammed the song as a ‘clear provocation’, after Cash performed the song for the first time in February, where he appeared drinking coffee out of an espresso cup.

Meanwhile, Italian consumer association Codacons has clapped back at Cash, lodging an appeal to the European Broadcasting Union questioning if ‘it’s appropriate to allow a song that offends a country and en entire community’ to be included in the contest, which will be held in Basel this year. 

Italian Senate Vice President Gian Marco Centinaio went even further, calling for the song to be disqualified from Eurovision 2025.

‘We cannot allow a song that reinforces negative stereotypes about our country to compete in such a major international event’, he protested.

What’s the problem with Malta’s song? And why has singer Miriana Conte really had to change the title?

Malta’s Miriana Conte took a swipe at the BBC after the broadcaster reportedly demanded her song change its X-rated lyrics. 

The Maltese singer appeared on BBC2’s Newsnight as she sought to defend her entry titled Kant, which translates to ‘singing’ in the native language. 

The chorus sees Miriana sing ‘serving kant,’ and it’s believed to sound like a phrase used in drag culture — with the c-word — as a term of empowerment. 

The star said she was ‘disappointed’ that broadcasters as ‘influential as BBC’ would raise such concerns, when it is simply a case of lost in translation and she never intended to offend.

While the song had been approved by the European Broadcasting Union, sources have told The Sun that Miriana will tentatively change the title of her song, now called Serving, after a ‘reported was submitted by an EBU member – understood to be the BBC.’

Ofcom rules state the word ‘c**t’ cannot be used on British television before 9pm, and BBC Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills also previously said he’s not allowed to play the song due to its rude lyrics.

She said: ‘Honestly, it was a bit surprising, and those were a bit disappointing. I’ve had incredible feedback when it comes to my song.

‘Obviously, the word Kant means singing in our language. So you can imagine what power it holds. It’s unfortunate that, broadcasters influential as BBC would raise such concerns.

‘Especially considering Eurovision spirit of celebrating cultural diversity and languages. That said, we’ve made the adjustments, to ensure the focus remains on the music and the message. I believe and also my team believes that Eurovision is an opportunity and we want to make sure that nothing dissects it.’

What’s all the fuss about Finland’s song? And does the title mean what we think it means? 

Erika Vikman, 32, won Finland’s national selection in February with her song Ich Komme (I’m Coming), a pop track featuring cheeky lyrics, provocative choreography, and a bold, skin-baring outfit.

The song is performed primarily in Finnish, but the chorus is in German, with the repeated phrase Ich komme – which translates to I’m coming in English – raising eyebrows over its suggestive double meaning.

The singer previously claimed that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) demanded changes to her act, requesting that she make her spicy performance less explicit.

Speaking to Finnish media, Vikman said that organisers had asked her to tone down her routine, particularly calling for her to ‘cover her backside’ and adjust her movements on stage. 

‘It’s not just one thing, it’s everything. My clothes, what the song is about, how I move on stage. The EBU has said it’s a bit too sexual. They want to cover my butt,’ she told Swedish newspaper, Expressen.

Her original hot-blooded performance featured a fetish-inspired black corset, revealing chaps, and a pole-dance-style routine using her microphone stand, all set to pulsating electronic beats and provocative lyrics.

However, since her comments the Finnish broadcaster YLE’s Eurovision Song Contest Executive Producer Anssi Autio, said the EBU did not direct Vikman to change the performance. 

Who are Britain’s entry Remember Monday – and do they have any chance? 

Britain’s Eurovision hopefuls Remember Monday impressed in their semi-final performance in a their bid for Eurovision glory.

The group are a trio of best friends, formed at school in Farnborough, Hampshire, and first hit our TV screens in 2019 when they found fame after reaching the quarter-finals on The Voice UK.

The trio, made up of Lauren Byrne, Charlotte Steele and Holly-Anne Hull, are the first girl group to represent the UK since Precious in 1999. 

Viewers were mightily impressed with girl band after their semi-final performance with some confident they could win Saturday night’s grand finale. 

In the lead up to the night, the country pop girl group have been warned by the BBC and their own team to stay out of politics ahead of the event.

The group are under strict instructions to steer clear of any controversial topics, including the Middle East conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Addressing the conflict, the band said: ‘We just think it’s really difficult, it’s such a complex issue, and that’s really difficult to comment on in a little soundbite.’

Remember Monday – who will perform their hit What The Hell Just Happened? – are understood to have come under pressure from pro-Palestine activists to speak out about Israel’s involvement in Eurovision after spotting posts on their X account in support of BLM.

One factor in the band being chosen for Eurovision was that they were deemed to be ‘squeaky clean’ and free of controversy. 

Last year’s UK contestant Olly Alexander – who finished 18th – was dragged into a bitter row after rejecting calls to boycott the event in support of Palestinians.

He faced a tirade of abuse and threats, and was given upgraded security ahead of the contest.

The UK’s 2023 hopeful Mae Muller was one of 72 former contestants to sign a letter sent to organisers calling for a ban on Israel and its national broadcaster. 

Ms Muller – who placed 23rd – faced a significant backlash in 2023 after an earlier post in which she said she ‘hates Britain’ emerged. 

What’s happened to Doctor Who? And who will be reading out the UK’s scores instead?

Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa will be replaced as the UK’s spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest, due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’, the BBC has said.

The 32-year-old actor, who grew up in Scotland and rose to fame in Sex Education, had been due to reveal the points given by the UK national jury to other contestants during tonight’s grand finale.

However, he will be replaced by singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who is also a BBC Radio 2 DJ, the corporation said on Thursday evening, when the second semi-final took place, and the UK act Remember Monday performed for the first time.

Ellis-Bextor said: ‘I love Eurovision and it’s a privilege to be part of 2025’s Grand Final.

‘What an honour it is to announce the UK’s jury score on such a special show which always puts music front and centre. I am very much looking forward to delivering the iconic douze points from the United Kingdom.’

A BBC post on X said: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend.’

There was speculation that Israel getting to the final was the cause of Gatwa pulling out.

The BBC announcement came  just two minutes after Israel made it through.

But fans will be able to see the star on thier screens before the final on Saturday, when a Eurovision themed episode of Doctor Who – The Interstellar Song Contest – will air.

The sixth episode in the current season of sci-fi hit Doctor Who will see The Doctor (Gatwa) and companion Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) travelling to the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest.

In the episode, the Interstellar Song Contest features planets from across the universe competing for the top prize and is co-hosted by TV and radio presenter Rylan Clark, while Irish TV host and the ‘King of Eurovision’, Graham Norton appears.

Why do bands get so worked up about where they are placed in the running order?

The ‘Curse of Number Two’ is well-known among performers and fans with Luxembourg taking that unfortunate place in the running order tonight.

No country performing in the second position of the running order in the final has ever won the competition in it’s almost 70-year history.

Those performing second over the years have ended up last nine times with three ending up with the dreaded ‘nul points’.

This has left many believing that the position is ‘cursed’.

Laura Thorn will take to the stage second tonight to perform ‘La Poupee Monte Le Son’, but will she be able to rewrite the history books?

The only times a second-spot performer has placed well was second in 1965 and third in 1997, 2002 and 2024. 

Acts performing 16th also run into a similar problem, as no country has won the competition from that place on the running order either. 

Germany’s Abor & Tynna will take to the stage as the 16th act as they hope to break the cycle.

Why will it be such a big deal if any of the contestants take the stage in green? 

It’s not just running order which brings bad luck according to Eurovision folklore.

The colour green is also believed to be ‘cursed’ with acts draped in green or using green staging often flop.

Seemingly year after year, green tends to be a bad omen for performers, as they continue to fail in doing well or not qualify for the final at all.

The so-called curse originates from before the time of Eurovision with theatre legend saying that wearing green is also considered unlucky.   

This rumour is believed to have started in France in the 17th Century France, when actor Moliere, who was wearing green, died on-stage during a performance of ‘La malade imaginarie’, known in English as ‘The Hypochondriac’. 

The first Eurovision to be broadcasted in colour was in 1968, so any performers prior to that year are unknown to have worn green on the night of their performance or have green on the stage.

Marko Bošnjak of Croatia is the most recent performer to feel the impacts of the curse as he failed to qualify from the semi-final after including green lights in his performance. 

Will anyone break the ‘no flag’ rule? And will Pride flags be on show? 

Bosses of the annual song contest have issued new flag guidance for tonight’s show.

The rules, which have been developed by the Swiss host broadcaster SRG SSR, state that contestants will only be able to bring the official flag of their country into any official Eurovision events, venues or related performances.

This includes the likes of the Opening Ceremony, the Eurovision Village Stage, the Flag Parade, the Green Room and of course the main Eurovision stage.

A statement from Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest provided to MailOnline reads: ‘The official flag policies of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 have been developed by the Swiss host broadcaster SRG SSR with input from the EBU, particularly on official ESC spaces, to provide clarity for audiences and delegations.

‘Together we wanted to strike a balance to ensure that our audiences and artists can express their enthusiasm and identities, whilst at the same time provide more clarity for the delegations when it comes to official spaces.

‘In line with other international competitive events, the policy for participating broadcasters is that only one national flag can be used in official spaces – these are the Stage, Green Room, Eurovision Village Stage and Turquoise Carpet at the Opening Ceremony.

‘Outside of these official spaces the flag policy for delegations is the same as for audiences, where all flags permitted under Swiss law can be used, including Pride flags, and provides plenty of opportunities for the expression of everyone’s identities.’