The 61st Eurovision song contest took place on Saturday night and during his commentary Graham Norton paid tribute to the late Terry Wogan.
Terry commentated on the contest for the UK until 2008, at which point Graham Norton took over.
This is the first contest since his death and so Norton took the opportunity to give a heartfelt tribute to Terry encouraging everyone to raise a glass in his honour.
Norton said:
“Now, tonight’s Eurovision is a bittersweet one for all of us. Because of course it’s the first song contest since the death of Sir Terry Wogan. Now, eight years ago when I was lucky enough to get this job of commentating Sir Terry very kindly and very graciously phoned me and the only bit of advice he had for me was, ‘Don’t have a drink before song nine.’
Well, this is song nine, it’s Frans who is representing Sweden with a song called ‘If I Were Sorry’. So while the crowd here in the Globe Arena cheer on their home boy, I would urge you back in the UK at home to raise a cup, a mug, a glass, whatever you have in front of you and give thanks for the man who was and always will be, the voice of Eurovision. Sir Terry Wogan.”
Graham talking about Terry Wogan. “Don’t have a drink before song 9”. Sniff. Raise a glass. #ripterrywogan #eurovision
— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) May 14, 2016
RT and raise a glass to Sir Terry with @grahnort #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/VlpnVCmccN
— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) May 14, 2016
