Eurovision's Dutch entry Joost Klein disqualified from contest after backstage incident
Eurovision favourite Joost Klein has been kicked out of the song contest following a backstage incident yesterday.
The Dutch entrant has been sent home as police investigate a complaint of inappropriate behaviour.
The contest organisers said in a statement: "It would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest" while the legal process takes place.
Entering with the song Europapa, a tribute to his late parents, the 26-year-old Dutch rapper and singer had qualified for the grand final on Thursday evening at the Malmo Arena venue in Sweden.
A statement from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: “The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
“Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final.
“While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.
“We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest.
“In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules."
The Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now proceed with 25 participating songs and marks the end of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest which has been mired in controversy.
The televised final on Saturday, 11 May, at the Malmo Arena in Sweden will see the big five countries, UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy, joined by reigning champions Sweden and 20 qualifying countries to perform in a bid to win the title.
Among the other acts who qualified during the semi-finals was Israeli contestant Eden Golan, whose participation in the wake of the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza has been a point of debate.
Her emotional song Hurricane was reworked from a previous track called October Rain, which was thought to reference the Hamas attacks on Israel that sparked the conflict.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, whose mother Malena Ernman represented Sweden at Eurovision in 2009, joined pro-Palestinian protesters on the streets of Malmo calling for a boycott of the competition.
The UK's entry comes in the form of former Years And Years frontman, Olly Alexander, with his song Dizzy. Former Eurovision winner Cheryl Baker, of Bucks Fizz, says she thinks he has no chance of winning and the bookies' odds are also against him.
