Sam Ryder has celebrated ‘destroying the stigma’ of Eurovision after he finished in second place during Saturday night’s final.
The English singer, 32, gave the United Kingdom its best result at the song contest in two decades when he finished in second place in Turin with a score of 466 points.
Meanwhile, Rylan Clark was beamed around the contintent as he was seen becoming emotional while leaping out of his seat during the show.
Over the moon: Sam Ryder has celebrated ‘destroying the stigma’ of Eurovision after he finished in second place during Saturday night’s final
Sam celebrated his success with Rylan and Scott Mills as they all beamed into the camera in a heartwarming video.
Sam said: ‘Just destroyed the stigma! Thanks everyone for supporting. That was an incredible, incredible, rewarding journey. I hope you enjoyed it!’
Rylan joined in with the chanting as Scott blew a kiss at the camera.
Elsewhere, Rylan was seen leaping to his feet towards the end of the song contest as the camera panned over the VIP green room.
Overjoyed: Rylan Clark was beamed around the contintent as he was seen becoming emotional while leaping out of his seat during the show
Success: Sam gave the United Kingdom its best result at the song contest in two decades when he finished in second place in Turin with a score of 466 points
Rylan stood up as the Italian host of the ceremony spoke about the importance of peace in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
He applauded the wining act, Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra before placing both his hands to his face and blowing a kiss.
Eurovision commentator Graham Norton joked: ‘Oh, there’s Rylan. He’s got in on the act. His accreditation shouldn’t get him into the green room but he made it.’
Referring to the presenter’s trademark pearly whites, Graham added: ‘He just flashed his teeth.’
Final: Rylan was seen leaping to his feat towards the end of the song contest as the camera panned over the VIP green room
Elsewhere during his commentary, Graham joked some BBC bosses were probably glad the UK narrowly missed out on winning so they wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of hosting the extravagant event next year.
He said: ‘There are probably some relieved people at the BBC. It looked a bit dodgy there for a minute. We’re going to have to host?
‘But no, we got the ideal result really. All the glory with none of the expense.’
Graham couldn’t help but express his surprise as he humorously insisted that it was ‘not a glitch’ or a ‘sketch’ as the UK kept creeping up the leaderboard.
Amazing: Graham Norton joked BBC bosses were probably glad the UK narrowly missed out on winning so they wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of hosting the extravagant event next year
Responding to his success during the final at Turin’s PalaOlimpico arena, Sam gushed: ‘Thank you so much… there’s so much gratitude sitting around in this green room… what an experience.’
TikTok star Sam – who shot to fame with his lockdown covers on the video-sharing platform – changed the UK’s run of bad luck after scoring nil points for the past two years.
In the green room, an overjoyed Sam said: ‘Honestly, this amazing. It’s wicked.
Wow! The UK incredibly came in second place – the nation’s highest place for more than two decades – during the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday following years of ‘nul points’
‘We signed up here to come and sing we enjoy music, and I know that every single artist involved this year absolutely smashed it.
‘Everyone was a credit to themselves and a credit to what Eurovision is all about; unity peace, love, togetherness, inclusivity and expression
‘Thank you for having us, appreciate [it].’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Sam for his performance, tweeting: ‘Incredibly proud of Sam Ryder and how he brilliantly represented the UK tonight.’
Joy: Ukraine clinched victory after winning a stomping 439 points from the public tele-vote, giving them a grand total of 631, while Britain came in second place with 466 points
Despite the UK’s success, it was Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra who took home the crown after moving viewers with their poignant performance of Stefania amid the war in the country.
The group – made up of rapper Oleh Psiuk, Ihor Didenchuk, Vlad Kurochka, Tymofii Muzychuk and Oleksandr Slobodianyk – wowed with their performance, which merged rap with folk and featured breakdancing, flutes and bold ensembles.
After taking to the stage, they thanked everyone for supporting their country amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Thrilled: The UK stormed to the top of the jury leaderboard (pictured) before the public vote saw them move to second place at Saturday’s final Eurovision Song Contest
Overjoyed: TikTok star Sam – who shot to fame with his lockdown covers on the video-sharing platform – has changed the UK’s run of bad luck after scoring nil points for the past two years
After they were revealed as the champions and performed the song for a second time, they said: ‘Thank you, thank you so much.’
They had been given special permission to travel to Italy, as men their age are currently fighting for their country back home.
The band said of the song, which is a tribute to mothers: ‘We’re showing off our roots, and we’re showing how to take something from the past and make it work for the present.
Winners! Despite the UK’s success, it was Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra who took home the crown after moving viewers with their poignant performance of Stefania
Impressive: The group – made up of rapper Oleh Psiuk, Ihor Didenchuk, Vlad Kurochka, Tymofii Muzychuk and Oleksandr Slobodianyk – wowed with their performance
‘That’s why we’ve found success at home, and we hope that we can find that sort of reception internationally, as well. We take something old, and we make it sound modern.’
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was quick to praise Ukraine and described their win was ‘a clear reflection of not just your talent, but of the unwavering support for your fight for freedom’.
He wrote: ‘Congratulations to Ukraine for winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
‘It is a clear reflection of not just your talent, but of the unwavering support for your fight for freedom.’
Gratitude: After taking to the stage, the group thanked everyone for supporting their country amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine