Strewth! Producers invite Australia to compete in this year's Eurovision

We wonder if Kylie is available in May.... Because Eurovision organisers have invited Australia to take part in this year's show.

Organisers said they are inviting an act from Down Under to take part to mark the 60th anniversary of the competition.

Australia will be fast-tracked to the final, which will be hosted this May in Vienna.

Broadcasters hailed the 'historic' move and said it would elevate the show to a 'new global level'.

Jon Ola Sand, executive supervisor of the contest at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said: "It's a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move. It is our way of saying 'let's celebrate this party together'."

Michael Ebeid, managing director of broadcaster SBS, which screens the show in Australia, said: "We are very excited to have secured this historic opportunity for Australia to be represented on the world's biggest stage at the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest and are honoured that the European Broadcasting Union has supported us to achieve this ambition.

"SBS has been broadcasting Eurovision for over 30 years and we have seen how Australians' love of the song contest has grown during those years."

Alexander Wrabetz, director general of host broadcasters ORF, said: "The song contest has developed in its history to become the biggest TV entertainment event in the world.

"With the participation of Australia, together with our partners at the EBU and SBS, we have succeeded to lift it to a new global level and to build another bridge for the 60th anniversary - a bridge that spans the globe, starting from the heart of Europe."

Australia will be allowed to vote in both semi-finals and the grand final.

Organisers are considering allowing the Australian public to help decide the votes dished out to other countries.

Australia has until March 16 to decide who will represent them at the show.

Organisers promised that even if Australia wins it will not host next year's contest, which will remain in Europe. However, if they clinch the title Australia will be allowed to defend their crown. The country's participation is a one-off initiative to mark the show's anniversary.

 

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.