Stage invader disrupts SuRie’s UK Eurovision performance

UK’s 2018 Eurovision act SuRie had her performance disrupted by a stage invader in tonight’s live show.

SuRie is an actress and singer who is no stranger to the Eurovision Song Contest, appearing as a backing singer for Loïc Nottet in 2015 and Blanche at Eurovision 2017.

She and her song Storm were selected back in February after six potential tracks were put to a viewer and panel vote.

SuRie took to the stage this evening in ninth place, opening the second round of performances.

But halfway through the song, her performance was interrupted by a stage invader.

A seemingly politically motivated protestor rushed at SuRie and tried to grab her microphone.

At one point, SuRie lost her microphone but eventually got it back and continued to finish the song.

Eurovision bosses had offered SuRie the chance to perform again following the altercation.

However it was revealed that SuRie declined that opportunity and so the song contest continued as usual.

The BBC said: “SuRie and her team are extremely proud of her performance and have together decided that there is absolutely no reason to perform the song again.”

Ahead of the show, SuRie had discussed the UK’s place in Eurovision in the continuing aftermath of the Brexit vote.

“I haven’t heard the word Brexit once since I arrived in Lisbon. Not once,” she said. “Of course those political conversations are important and we need to resolve the problems we are facing. But for one night of the year we can leave politics at the door.

“Having been to Eurovision before I’ve seen first-hand the music and the song are the driving force at the top of the leaderboard. If a song speaks to someone I don’t think they pause on their phone and go ‘Hold on let me think about their political agenda’.

“They get their vote in for something that works for them. Does Storm tick all the boxes for people? I can only hope and do my best.”

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, SuRie said she wasn’t thinking about ending up with no points.

She said: “If I start thinking ‘I must not come last’ or ‘I must be on the left side of the leaderboard’ how can I channel that into a performance? It’s bonkers. It’s all about the story, my voice and we will see what happens.”

Eurovision 2018 airs on BBC One.