The UK’s Eurovision entry SuRie has chosen not to perform again after a stage invader snatched her microphone in the middle of her performance.
An intruder rushed the stage during her rendition of her song Storm and shouted about “Nazis of the UK media,” adding: “We demand freedom.”
The man, dressed in a black and red bandana and slogan t-shirt promoting a book available on Amazon, was taken into police custody shortly after he was rushed off the stage by security guards.
A man dressed in the same bandana and t-shirt stormed the stage of the National Television Awards, where he was ordered off by host Dermot O’Leary.
Northern Irish talk show host Stephen Nolan also claimed the same stage invader crashed his programme last year.
The guy who invaded my Nolan Live tv show on BBC1 went by the Twitter name @DrACactivism . https://t.co/SsXPYpJKKw
I’m pretty sure this is him again at Eurovision
— Stephen Nolan (@StephenNolan) May 12, 2018
A statement from European Broadcasting Union, which operates Eurovision, said: “The EBU regrets a stage invasion took place during the United Kingdom’s performance at the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final in Lisbon this evening.
“The person responsible is currently in police custody.
“The UK singer SuRie and her team were offered the option to sing again but decided not to because they were extremely proud of her performance and have decided that there is absolutely no reason to perform the song again.”
Official EBU statement on an incident at tonight’s Eurovision Song Contest below pic.twitter.com/shPkX8gQuY
— EBU (@EBU_HQ) May 12, 2018
The incident left SuRie without a microphone for at least ten seconds and she was forced to clap along as cameras cut to fans in the audience.
She later resumed her song and finished to rapturous applause.
Just to confirm SuRie is ok. More news when we get it. #Eurovision
— BBC Eurovision🇬🇧 (@bbceurovision) May 12, 2018
After the performance, Graham Norton who is serving as commentator for the BBC’s coverage said: “She was doing a brilliant job anyway.
We love you Surie! #UnitedKingdom #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/eOY7RduohO
— BBC Eurovision🇬🇧 (@bbceurovision) May 12, 2018
He later added: “We don’t know why he stormed the stage but it doesn’t matter, you don’t hijack someone’s hard-earned moment in the spotlight, no matter what your cause.”
Stars rushed to offer support to the singer, with The Fizz’s Cheryl Baker tweeting “love your heart”.
She added: “I wonder if they’ll ask @surieofficial to perform again? She must be in a state of shock. Where was the security? He could have had a weapon!”
I wonder if they'll ask @surieofficial to perform again? She must be in a state of shock. Where was the security? He could have had a weapon!
— Cheryl Baker (@Cherylbaker) May 12, 2018
Author JK Rowling wrote: “That was everyone who’s ever been on stage’s worst nightmare and it must have been scary, but what a pro, what a recovery @surieofficial.”
That was everyone who's ever been on stage's worst nightmare and it must have been scary, but what a pro, what a recovery @surieofficial #Eurovision
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 12, 2018
Presenter Scarlett Moffatt tweeted: “Hope surie is ok. She is an absolute star.”
Hope surie is ok 😪 she is an absolute star 🌟 #eurovision
— Scarlett Moffatt (@ScarlettMoffatt) May 12, 2018
Former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added: “That was actually excellent #SuRie #eurovision – pumped it up even better for being interrupted.”
That was actually excellent #SuRie #eurovision – pumped it up even better for being interrupted
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) May 12, 2018
The Eurovision stage was invaded last year by a man draped in an Australian flag, who flashed his bare bottom at the audience.