We’ve already had our first major security issue at the final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest: during the Grand Final, hosted at the Altice Arena, the United Kingdom’s performance was invaded by a stage intruder, similar to that from 2010.

Earlier this evening, the United Kingdom performed in position number 9 at the final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, with SuRie taking to the stage with her entry Storm.

The performance was going well on the night… that was before a stage intruder interrupted the performance mid-song, shouting a currently unclear message into the microphone which was snatched from the British representative. It is currently uncertain who the stage intruder is 100%, however there are similarities between Jimmy Jump’s stage invasion during Spain’s performance back in 2010.

Translated, reports reveal that the message from the stage intruder was:

Nazis of the UK media, we demand freedom.

Stage invasion during the United Kingdom’s performance at Eurovision 2018

SuRie was visibly shaken during that intrusion onstage, with security running to the stage to cause a little disruption as possible, however the damage was already done.

Security in Lisbon

Security has been high at the venue throughout the entire competition, as has been seen by press and fans visiting the arena over the past number of days, so it is unknown how this situation was able to happen again following past experiences.

The stage intruder is seen onstage wearing a backpack, an item prohibited to be taken into the arena as was made clear in the list released by the EBU a matter of weeks ago. Whilst many audience members were unable to take their backpacks into the arena and were asked to store them in the cloakroom, it would be interesting to know how the stage intruder was allowed into the arena in the first place.

As of now, it is unclear whether the United Kingdom will be able to perform their entry for a second time. Stay tuned for further updates.

Jimmy Jump’s stage invasion during Spain’s 2010 performance

UPDATE (21:33 local time): The EBU went on to offer SuRie a second chance to perform her entry onstage, however SuRie has refused and will therefore not perform again tonight.

A statement from the EBU: pic.twitter.com/qiH1Df0MgW

— Eurovision (@Eurovision) May 12, 2018