Terry Wogan says Conchita Wurst made Eurovision a ‘freak show’
Former Eurovision commentator Sir Terry Wogan has said he thinks of Conchita Wurst as more “freak show” than “foolish farce.”
The Irish born 76-year-old, who was the voice of Eurovision for thirty five years until 2008, made the comments in regard to his replacement, Graham Norton.
Reviewing Norton’s new book The Life and Loves of a He-Devil in the Irish Times, he wrote: “The inspired, logical choice for my replacement was Graham…
“He made it his own from year one – although I’m bound to say that the Bearded Lady who won this year, reducing Graham to tears, might have had a slightly different effect on me.
“I’ve always seen the Eurovision as a sometimes foolish farce, but not as a freak show.”
The Austrian diva – who took home the crown at Eurovision this year despite a homophobic backlash across Europe – had prompted Norton to remark that “Eurovision has done something that matters just a little bit.”
Following Wurst’s victory, Russia developed plans to revive a Soviet era Eurovision rival as a ‘family friendly’ alternative, but the idea was quietly dropped this summer.
A spokesperson for Ban Ki-Moon said he was looking forward to meeting the “cultural icon”, adding: “Everyone is entitled to enjoy the same basic rights and live a life of worth and dignity without discrimination.”
