Eurovision hits a sour note with Wogan

Published on Sunday 25 May 2008 22:45

SIR Terry Wogan, the veteran Eurovision commentator, has cast doubt on whether he would be involved in covering the event again.

He said it was "no longer a music contest" and that prospects for western European participants were "poor".

The 69-year-old spoke out near the end of his commentary after Britain's entry, Andy Abraham, finished joint last in the 53rd contest, held this year in the Serbian capital Belgrade. Sir Terry said: "It's a disappointment, considering that Andy Abraham gave, I think, the performance of his life.

"You have to say that this is no longer a music contest. I have to decide whether I want to do this again.

"Western European participants have to decide whether they want to take part from here on in, because their prospects are poor."

Last night, bookmaker William Hill said the odds are now even that Terry Wogan will never present the Eurovision song contest again, and offered 33/1 that the UK boycotts the contest in 2009.