BBC defends Eurovision funding

The BBC has rejected claims that the Eurovision Song Contest is a waste of money.

Liberal Democrat MP Richard Younger-Ross has tabled a Commons motion which calls on the corporation to withdraw its £173,000 funding for the annual contest. Mr. Younger-Ross described the voting as a "joke" after the UK finished in joint last place this weekend.

However, the BBC has insisted that it will continue to provide funding for as long as the competition is a ratings winner. An average of 7.1 million viewers tuned in for the contest on Saturday night.

A spokesman told The Mirror: "As far as the BBC is concerned, this represents great value for money for its viewers."

The BBC's Eurovision commentator Sir Terry Wogan claimed that the show is "no longer a music contest" after the result was announced on Saturday

Total waste of BBC licence money in my opinion....