Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Eurovision, Music, TV and Film
Jess Hardiman
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Eurovision fans were left confused after the final’s secret special guest was unveiled.
While a number of performers were confirmed well ahead of the event, including the likes of Sam Ryder and Queen drummer Roger Taylor, Eurovision organisers had promised a ‘UK Eurovision legend’ would be making an appearance.
Ahead of the final, BBC commentator Scott Mills told the Liverpool Echo: “There has been some stuff happening where it’s been a completely closed set so nobody has been allowed to go in there. So what’s going on there? No one will tell us I promise you.”
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And his fellow commentator Rylan Clark added: “There are some secrets.”
Naturally, the rumour mill went into overdrive as the public speculated about who it could possibly be – with whispers that Aussie icon Kylie Minogue would be hitting the stage.
Midway through the show, Eurovision stars came together to pay tribute to this year’s host city with a medley of songs connected to Liverpool.
Italy's Mahmood gave us a rendition of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, while Israel’s former winner Netta sang Dead or Alive's ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’.
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Other highlights also included Atomic Kitten’s ‘Whole Again’ by Icelandic star Dadi Freyr, and a tear-jerking performance of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ by the Netherlands' Duncan Laurence in a very emotional performance.
The segment then ended with English pop singer Sonia - who competed in the contest for the UK back in 1993 - arriving on stage to sing ‘Better The Devil You Know’.
While some viewers loved it, others were left scratching their heads.
“Wait, Sonia was their big secret special guest?” one asked.
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Someone else said: "The secret guest is Sonia? Jesus f**king Christ."
And TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan added diplomatically: “Maybe the lack of a surprise act was the surprise.”
Others were reminded of another iconic 'Sonia' of Briitsh culture:
But many other viewers had nothing but love for Sonia, with one hailing her performance the ‘best part of the show’.
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Someone else tweeted: “She was brilliant, her voice is fantastic.”
Another agreed: ”She was amazing! Had me cheering at home!”
Naturally, I imagine some viewers were either too young - or not yet born - to remember Sonia's Eurovision appearance the first time round... Especially if their reference point to the name is Sonia from EastEnders, let's face it.