Eurovision is an important part of my relationship with my wife. It is our main common interest.
On our first date, we were getting to know each other and Marie asked me if I liked Eurovision. I said that I did and she was really impressed. The common interests helped me to get a second date. No mean feat because we are pretty different too.
The first contest where we were a couple was 2009. We didn't actually watch it together because Marie was away at a christening although we did watch the semi finals together. We did text each other constantly during the final. Alexander Rybak won the contest with the classic 'Fairytale' which meant that the following years contest would be held in Oslo.
The 2010 contest will always be a special one to us because we were there. It wasn't a vintage year but we had a great time and there were still some great songs. We got married later that year and we had that years Icelandic entry, 'Je Ne Sais Quoi' by Hera Bjork, as our second dance.
This year's final kicks off with a video package of last year's winners Kalush Orchestra performing their winning song 'Stefania' which is then carried over into the arena live.
The flag parade of all the competing nations follows and it also features performances from various Ukranian Eurovision legends such as Jamala, Go_A and my personal favourite Verka Seduchka.
Austria kick off the show and it is a great opener. The crowd goes wild for the 'Poe Poe Poe' chorus.
Portugal's uptempo cabaret follows and is another crowd pleaser.
Switzerland's entry is a poignant anti-war ballad. The vocals are good and the pyrotechnics look much more effective live than on TV.
Poland's cheesy pop sounds much better live than it does on record. The staging looks dated and naff though.
The driving electronics of Serbia's Luke Black are cool. The vocals aren't great but the staging is futuristic.
France's sophisticated disco is spectacular. The vocals are awesome and it looks amazing. La Zarra comes across as an utter star.
Cyprus' entry is a good power ballad with great vocals and some impressive high notes.
Spain's daring flamenco pop is mesmerising and affecting.
Swedish legend Loreen is an utter powerhouse.
Albania's ethnic pop is a real family affair and the vocals are very good.
Italy's entry is a great touching ballad with excellent vocals from their charismatic singer Marco Mengoni.
Estonia is another ballad with strong vocals.
Finland's Käärijä absolutely blows the fucking roof off the arena. The crowd goes crazy for 'Cha Cha Cha'.
Czechia's entry is great empowering female pop with effective staging.
Australia's Voyager provide the heftiest moments of the show. The bass sounds so heavy and the vocals are great.
Belgium's Gustaph provides camp house goodness. The vocals, particularly that of the backing singers, are excellent. Props to the voguer too.
Armenia's Brunette sings a delicate ballad which picks up when she starts to rap.
Moldova's pounding pagan pop is pretty pleasing.
Ukraine's R&B goes down well.
Norway's rousing folk EDM goes down a storm.
The crowd are responsive to virtually everything. Even Lord Of The Lost's industrial metal goes down well for Germany.
Lithuania's Monika Linkyte showcases more strong vocals.
Israel's entry is contemporary pop like Ariana Grande and it is very very slick.
Slovenia's Jokers Out are next and their Franz Ferdinand style art rock is pretty good.
Croatia's entry is absolutely bonkers. It makes my eyes bleed but the crowd love it.
Our home entry, Mae Muller's 'I Wrote A Song' is great Mediterranean/Iberian influenced pop. Mae sings it the best I've heard her sing it and the crowd go nuts.
The interval sees a number of live performances including one by Sam Ryder. His rendition of new single 'Mountain' sounds more powerful than the last time I heard it live.
The show ends with a fake round of voting which sees the UK win.
Even though I'd seen most of the acts live earlier this week, everything sounds better and is elevated from what it was before. An absolutely fantastic show.
Overall *****
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