Live Blog: Saturday 15 May

Today marks the end of rehearsals week, and now every act has had the opportunity to hone their performance on the main stage. It's been a joy to watch, and we're SO excited for the start of the live shows.

Tomorrow is the Turquoise Carpet event, where we'll officially launch the second week of Eurovision, and welcome every delegation to the host city of Rotterdam - keep an eye on Eurovision.tv for photos and video!

This liveblog will be back on Tuesday for more news and backstage gossip from Rotterdam Ahoy, and of course the first Semi-Final, so please join us then!

...all the important questions.

You thought we'd forgotten, didn't you? Eurovissie and Eurofishion have enjoyed today's final rehearsals, particularly Jendrik's I Don't Feel Hake.

During a routine test upon arrival at the Eurovision Song Contest venue on Saturday 15 May, a member of the Polish delegation tested positive for COVID-19.

They had last been at the venue on Thursday 13 May when the whole delegation were in possession of a negative COVID-19 test.

In accordance with our health and safety protocol this person has now gone into isolation.

As a precautionary measure the other members of their delegation will also now undergo a PCR test and go into quarantine.

As a result of this the Polish delegation will not attend the Turquoise Carpet event in person on Sunday 16 May.

We will have further updates in due course and send our best wishes to the whole delegation.

Full Press Statement can be found here.

Blas Cantó will perform Voy A Quedarme in the FIRST HALF of the Grand Final.

Apparently it's 6 metres wide... and the largest prop in Eurovision history.

Watch: Spain Second Rehearsal

Watch: United Kingdom Second Rehearsal

James Newman will perform Embers in the FIRST HALF of the Grand Final.

Watch: France Second Rehearsal

Well there's a surprise! During his press conference, James Newman reveals a surprise collaboration with the Spanish participant.

Due out next week. More details as we get them.

Rehearsals may have finished for the day, but we're still waiting for news from the press conference about which half of the Grand Final the United Kingdom and Spain will perform in.

So far we know that host country the Netherlands will perform 23rd, and Italy, Germany and France have ALL drawn the second half.

Barbara Pravi will perform Voilà in the SECOND HALF of the Grand Final.

Watch: The Netherlands Second Rehearsal

We are happy to confirm that Blas Canto inflates the moon with the power of his beautiful voice.

Here's a gallery of photos from Blas Canto's second rehearsal, video will be along soon!

Enjoy some pictures of the UK's second rehearsal - video coming soon!

Jendrik came to say hello, and left you all a riddle!

"Hello everybodyyyyyyy (a lot of Ys because I'm excited to write in this blog). Greetings to all of you and here's a riddle for all of you to solve.

What is red in the morning, sad in the afternoon and flat in the evening...?

I'll come back and give you the answer tomorrow... but share this post on Twitter and give me your answer!"

We are officially intrigued...

Watch: Germany Second Rehearsal

...features Sofia the gigantic peace sign, sitting patiently in the audience.

Jendrik will perform in the SECOND HALF of the Grand Final!

Watch: Italy Second Rehearsal

Now, it doesn't necessarily hamper or enhance a participant's chances of winning the Eurovision Song Contest, however, in the interest of fairness, acts have to draw whether they'll perform in the FIRST or SECOND HALF of the Grand Final should they qualify.

Usually, the acts dip their paws into a big bowl of random halves and reveal which end of the Contest they picked out.

Because of our COVID-19 protocol, the acts will instruct our Press Room host Samya to whirl the bowl contents, after which they will point to the roll they want and Samya will reveal the half.

One lucky contestant will win a speedboat*.

(*may not be true)

Here's some pictures of France's second rehearsal - video coming soon!

Italy will perform in the SECOND HALF of the GRAND FINAL.

So far we've seen second rehearsals from Italy, Germany, Netherlands and France, and all are looking and sounding great. The United Kingdom are on the stage now, and Spain are up next. There's a nice buzz in the Delegation Bubble today - feels like everyone is starting to get excited for the live shows...

Enjoy these lovely photos of Jeangu's second rehearsal...video coming soon!

James Newman from the UK popped over to join the Live Blog! Here's his message to his family back in the UK.

"Mum, hope I make you proud on this stage in Rotterdam. John, watch and learn! Cleo, I love you to the moon and back."

It's got a bit dusty in here...

Here are some pictures of Jendrik's performance - video coming soon!

Would you like to see some photos of Italy's second rehearsal? Of course you would. Video coming soon!

To get you in the mood for next Saturday's Grand Final, you can watch the 2019 Grand Final on YouTube tonight, starting at 21:00 CEST.

We predict a Netherlands win, but anything could happen!

Silver trousers OUT, red studded lederhosen IN.

*screams in Italian*

Tune in this evening to the #Eurovision Virtual Village at 21.00 CEST for a special announcement!

#voicefortheplanet EurovisionVillage.com

Just a WWF panda having a selfie with Italy's Måneskin. All perfectly normal in Eurovision world.

So far, this morning on Delegation Bubble FM, we've have The Shoop Shoop Song and Walking In Memphis by an obscure artist called Cher (eliminated in the first round of the 1967 San Remo Italian national contest, so we wouldn't expect you to know her) and Take That's version of Relight My Fire featuring Eurovision winner Lulu!

Deep cuts all round.

Good morning, and THANK YOU to everyone who's followed the Live Blog all week!

It's the final round of rehearsals until the shows start proper - and today is a very, very short day.

Final Rehearsals

Italy 🇮🇹
Germany 🇩🇪
The Netherlands 🇳🇱
France 🇫🇷
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Spain 🇪🇸

The Big Five and our Hosts get one last whirl around the stage before committing their performance to the juries and general public!