Austria's Conchita Wurst wins the Eurovision song contest

Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst spoke of an overwhelming "gold shower" during the moment the result was announced.

The bearded drag queen told a press conference after the win: "I was crying the whole time and suddenly there came this gold shower, this flitter, and I said to my agent Rene - 'say it - did I win?' and he said 'yes you did'!"

Eurovision winner and Austrian bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst accepted her trophy saying it was "dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom."

Read more: Austria's Conchita Wurst wins the Eurovision song contest

British Eurovision contestant Molly Smitten-Downes has tweeted thanks to her fans after coming 17th in the competition:

Austrian drag queen Conchita Wurst won the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with a

grandiose James Bond-theme-like ballad "Rise Like a Phoenix", before an international TV audience of around 180 million people in 45 countries.

Wurst, sporting high heels, butterfly eyelashes and a full beard, won the competition, defeating the Netherlands' modern country duo The Common Linnets.

It was Austria's first victory since 1966. The contest has been held every year since 1956.

Read more: Austria's Conchita Wurst wins the Eurovision song contest

Austria's Conchita Wurst has won the Eurovision song Contest.

Conchita spoke to the crowd tonight saying: "This night is dedicated to everyone to believes in the future of peace and freedom. We are unstoppable air punch"

Molly Smitten-Downs, 27, poses ahead of her bid to win this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen tonight.

Watch this year's Eurovision Song Contest contestants preparing backstage for the show:

Read: Past Eurovision Song Contest winners from the UK