Eurovision shock cancellation: ‘I spent hours paralysed in bed’

Queensland singer Montaigne, who was set to represent the nation at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, says she’s ‘despondent’ by the news the event has been cancelled.

FOR the first time in 64 years, the Eurovision Song Contest will not go ahead due to the uncertainty of coronavirus.

The news hit close to home for millions of fans across the globe who watch the event each year, and for Australian singer Montaigne who was chosen to represent the country.

Montaigne won over the public and national jury with her song Don’t Break Me at the Eurovision – Australia Decides event held at the Gold Coast in February.

Montaigne performing at Eurovision 2020 - Australia Decides.

The singer took to Twitter to express her disappointment, saying she spent “hours paralysed in bed” after hearing the news, but supported the EBU’s decision.

“I’ve had my cry. I spent a couple of hours paralysed in bed, despondently scrolling through the many lovely tweet mentions from people expressing love and support,” she wrote.

“I imagine I’ll probably have a lot more cries in the next little while, for me and for the wonderful team who were working with me to make our vision come to life.

“But the truth is that cancelling Eurovision is the most responsible and ethical decision that the EBU could have made.”

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) described the cancellation as an “unprecedented decision”

Montaigne is devastated by the cancellation of Eurovision. Picture: Supplied.

“We are very proud that the Eurovision Song Contest has united audiences every year, without interruption, for the past 64 years and we, like the millions of fans around the world, are extremely saddened that it can not take place in May,” the EBU statement read.

“We are all heartbroken that the Eurovision Song Contest will not be able to be staged in May but feel confident that the whole Eurovision family, across the world, will continue to provide love and support for each other at this difficult time.”

A spokesperson from SBS said: “Like millions of fans across the world, SBS is extremely saddened that the Eurovision Song Contest will not take place in 2020. With the uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19, we fully support the difficult decision made by the European Broadcasting Union”.

“SBS is working through plans for 2020 and 2021 and will provide more information soon.”

Until those plans were made public, Montaigne said she would consider ways to make the best of the situation creatively.

“(I will) see if there’s something I can present to you, the fans, that will feel satisfying, or will feel anything like closure, or at least coping. I’ve got a lot of f***ing time on my hands so. Let’s get to work,” she wrote.