Ireland's Eurovision Song Contest hopeful EMMY will have some very important support in the audience in Basel this Thursday when she takes to the stage for the contest's second semi-final - her boyfriend Tommy Kittelsen.

The Swiss city of Basel has increased video surveillance and drafted in armed forces from other jurisdictions as the 69th Eurovision Song Contest kicks off this week.

The song contest has had its share of controversial moments down the years, and 2025 is no exception. We look at the best of them as the event kicks off in Basel.

SINGER Emmy has revealed how producers axed two support rails from her platform at Eurovision. The 24-year-old is seen hitching a ride on a rocket in the staging for Irish entry Laika Party.

Ireland's Eurovision hopeful Emmy has arrived in Switzerland ahead of this week's contest, joining 36 countries in Basel for the opening of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.

The Norwegian singer explained how she came to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest and the meaning behind her entry, Laika Party - and what viewers can expect on stage

When singer Emmy declares that it’s a ‘dream come true’ to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest, it’s not hyperbole on her part.

Emmy is now representing Ireland at Eurovision 2025 after attending a song writing camp in Norway last summer, where she met Irish songwriter Larissa Tormey, and together they collaborated to write their Eurovision 2025 entry song.

Laika Party lifts off during Eurovision Semi-Final 2 at 20:00 BST on 15 May. You can follow along live on BBC One and on the BBC iPlayer.

Norway’s Kyle Alessandro, Albania’s Shkodra Elektronike and Sweden’s Kaj have qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest final in Basle, Switzerland. Also through is Dutch act Claude Kiambe, Iceland’s Vaeb and Poland’s Justyna Steczkowska.