Ireland’s 2018 Eurovision entrant Ryan O’Shaughnessy has had a good-natured pop at the Irish national broadcaster, RTE.

The Together singer jokingly suggested that bosses at RTE were relieved they won’t have to spend out to host the contest here next May after he was unsuccessful in Lisbon. Ryan O’Shaughnessy qualified for the final – the first time for Ireland since 2013 – but only finished in 16th place on the night.

It was great, it was super – I don’t think you can prepare for the bubble you find yourself in when you’re there,” he said about his time in Lisbon.

We went from 250/1 to 7/1 with the bookies, so we had a bit of success when it comes to that kind of thing – we got through the semi-finals. I think everyone was happy, and RTE were happy we didn’t win it so we don’t have to host it next year!

Censorship in China

Ireland’s entry was one of the most talked-about performances at this year’s contest, as backing dancers Alan McGrath and Kevin O’Dwyer acted out the story of a same-sex couple on stage, which was censored by Chinese TV channel Mango TV, leading to their contract with the EBU to show the contest being terminated.

Ryan’s song orignally wasn’t expected to get through to the final, but was the first Irish song to make it to the Grand Final in five years. Although he didn’t say if he was interested in heading back to Eurovision for another bid at the title next year, Ryan thinks the key to victory is in the songwriting.

“There are amazing writers in Ireland,” he said.

Ryan O’Shaughnessy finished in 16th place at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with his song Together.