Advertisement

  1. National

Austria's Conchita Wurst wins the Eurovision song contest

Austria's Conchita Wurst has won the Eurovision song contest, winning the prize for the first time since 1966. Britain's hopeful Molly Smitten-Downes came 17th.

View all 19 updates ›

Conchita Wurst's winning song 'Rise like a Phoenix'

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.

More on this story