The Eurovision Song Contest continues to be disrupted by the coronavirus, with 2019 winner Duncan Laurence testing positive to COVID-19 two days out from the grand final.
- Duncan Laurence, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019, is the latest performer to be ruled out of a live presence at this year’s final after a positive COVID test
- This year’s contest is taking place under COVID precautions, with crowds reduced and competitors kept in bubbles away from other competing nations
- Iceland’s Daði og Gagnamagnið, will not be in the arena for this year’s final and will perform via pre-recorded video after one group member tested positive
Laurence, who won for the Netherlands with his song Arcade in Tel Aviv two years ago, was due to perform at the final in front of a socially distanced crowd of 3,500 fans.
However, on Thursday evening he returned a positive coronavirus test, meaning he will not be able to be at the Rotterdam Ahoy arena for the event, which begins at 5:00am AEST on Sunday.
“Today is one of the saddest days of my life. Not being able to walk onto that stage Saturday, perform live for you, feel the audience and celebrate this beautiful moment together remembering where it all started and showing you where Im taking my musical journey next. Ive never felt this powerless before,” Laurence posted on Facebook after receiving the news.
2019 Eurovision Song Contest winner Duncan Laurence has spoken of his sadness after his COVID-19 positive test ruled him out of performing at this year’s final.(Supplied: Facebook – Duncan Laurence
)
“Ive been so careful. Weve all been so careful, but unfortunately things like this can still happen.
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“Luckily, both Eurovision and my team are looking for the best way for me to still feature in Saturdays show! So I definitely will still be part of the Grand Finals after all.”
This year’s contest is taking place under COVID precautions, with the crowd reduced to 20 per cent capacity at the Ahoy arena. Performers and delegations from the various nations have had to stay in bubbles away from the other competitors, and have been tested every 48 hours.
Earlier this week Laurence opened the show as a guest performer at the first semi-final, where Australia’s Montaigne performed her song Technicolour via video-link but missed out on the final.
“Im so thankful for the amazing moments Ive had this week. Last Tuesday’s opening the show was a dream come true and then receiving the global award for Arcade, I couldnt stop smiling! How bizarre to now sit here and be full of tears,” he said.
“Eurovision, youll always be in my heart. Forever. Who knows, maybe one day Ill be able to come back and perform again on that stage in real life. Im beyond grateful for everything it has brought me so far.
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“Its sad I have to watch it all from my living room now, but in my heart Im there, on that stage, where it all started…”
Laurence is the second performer involved at Eurovision to test positive to COVID-19.
Iceland’s entry for this year’s contest, Daði og Gagnamagnið, have decided not to perform live in Rotterdam, after one of the group tested positive ahead of the second semi-final.
Daði og Gagnamagnið qualified for the final with their song, 10 Years, and a video of their performance in rehearsal in Rotterdam will be shown in the decider.
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