Singer Michael Rice says his team 'smashed' Eurovision - despite coming last with just 16 points

Fans hail Michael Rice as 'better than Madonna'
Asher McShane19 May 2019
The Weekender

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The UK's Eurovision entrant Michael Rice has spoken out after he slumped to last place in this year's contest despite a barnstorming rendition of his track Bigger Than Us.

Michael picked up just 16 points with even Ireland awarding him a zero. But he hailed his act and support team today saying they "smashed" it.

In a message to his thousands of Twitter followers, Michael wrote: "Just want to say thank you for all the amazing messages of support!

"Me and my team have smashed this whole entire journey and I'm just so proud!!

"I'm walking away with memories, friends, amazing fans and an experience of a lifetime!

"This is just the start, thank you for believing in me."

Fans also leapt to his defence saying he didn't deserve to finish in last place.

One wrote: "Rise up and carry on, you were superb, better than Madonna’s performance."

Another posted online: "You did a fantastic job representing our country, and you in no way deserved the result you got."

A third fan said: "You deserved so much better! I could rant about this that and the next thing but best of luck in your career!"

Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands, center, celebrates with the trophy
AP

Michael was snubbed by other nations and in the public vote, causing the UK to come last for the first time since 2010.

Michael scored just 16 points between the public vote and international jury vote on a night when The Netherlands' Duncan Laurence won the crown with his song Arcade, scoring 492 points.

The BBC said a peak of 8.1 million viewers and an average of 7 million, tuned in across the UK to watch the Hartlepool native sing Bigger Than Us at the Expo Tel Aviv venue in Israel.

But his performance failed to soar and did not connect with the international crowd.

Despite the disappointment on the night, Rice remained upbeat and said he had enjoyed his Eurovision experience.

He said: "The main thing I wanted to do was come and sing my heart out and make my country proud. I'm so thankful to the fans who have supported me and the song, as well as my whole team who have supported me throughout this whole amazing journey.

"I've been able to travel and meet amazing artists from across Europe and beyond. I can't wait to see what's next for me and get back into the studio and bring you some new music soon. And of course congratulations to Duncan - he was amazing!"

The public votes made up 50% of the total vote, with the other half determined by the professional jury in each participating country.

Gold glitter rained from the roof as Laurence's name was called out before the 25-year-old lifted the trophy, handed to him by last year's winner, Israeli singer Netta Barzilai.

He said: "Oh god, this is to music first. Thank you, thank you."

Rice, who rose to fame after winning the singing show All Together Now last year, said previously that he hoped to improve the UK's reputation at the contest.

The UK has not won Eurovision in 22 years or finished in the top 10 in the past decade.

Prospects of a British victory were bleak - both Coral and Ladbrokes gave Rice a 150/1 chance of taking the title.

He performed 16th, after Norway and before Iceland - whose techno-punk outfit Hatari were a favourite to win.

Italy's Mahmood came second with 465 points while Russia' Sergey Lazarev was third with 369.

Malta's Michela Pace opened the show with her song Chameleon, dancing in front of shifting graphics showing an urban landscape.

The first highlight of the night came with the arrival of Lazarev, who returned to the contest with the song Scream.

He sang Russia's entry in 2016 and finished third with the song You Are The Only One.

Swedish entrant John Lundvik's gospel-tinged pop song Too Late For Love secured screams from the audience.

Then came the Netherlands' Laurence - the favourite to win the contest.

Laurence, 25, was named front runner shortly after releasing his anthemic song in March.

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