Céline Dion made a rare appearance during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest with a brief, pre-recorded message. The star won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, and it had been rumoured she would take the stage as the ceremony returns to the country this year.

The Eurovision party is officially underway: a week of power pop, outrageous outfits — and, inevitably, protests — that culminates in the final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night. Competitors representing 37 countries are in the Swiss city of Basel for disco diplomacy and one of the world’s biggest spectacles.

Eurovision Director Martin Green tells Deadline he has big plans to expand the Song Contest worldwide as he prepares for the 2025 show in Basel, Switzerland.

EXCLUSIVE: Express reporter Fran Winston caught up with Eurovision Song Contest favourites KAJ who admitted they didn't even expect to be in the show.

LONDON (AP) — “Doctor Who” and Eurovision unite for an evening of music and intergalactic adventure on Saturday — all thanks to Russell T Davies. Before fans tune in for the annual song contest, they can enjoy Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor and Varada Sethu’s Belinda Chandra attending the Interstellar Song Contest in an episode of the sci-fi series.

The singer's appearance in this year's contest has sparked pushback from protesters over Israel's inclusion in the contest.