Excited fans flock to Basel for Eurovision final

British Eurovision fanatics are flocking to Switzerland for the 69th edition of the annual song contest.

Among them are Eurovision regular attendees Kevin Stephenson, Leigh Lester and Daniel Folly, from West Sussex, who were onboard a specially commissioned EasyJet flight from Gatwick to Basel.

Meanwhile, Gary Speirs, from Brighton, East Sussex, is celebrating his 34th contest and said that it was "difficult to imagine his life" without the show.

All are gearing up for Saturday's final where the UK's hopefuls, Remember Monday, from Surrey, will be competing.

Mr Speirs said the atmosphere was electric at a gathering of UK fans ahead of the second semi-final.

"There's fans from everywhere, it's quite impressive," he said.

"I've met so many people over the years. I love the international feel."

For fans like Mr Speirs, Eurovision is more than a one-night event.

"The music, the artists, the community – you get invested. It's a year-round thing for people like me," he said.