Eurovision chaos as Netherlands act banned from rehearsing over ‘incident’-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Klein has been stopped from rehearsing by Eurovision organisers the EBU (Picture: Fredrik Sandberg/ TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)

The Netherlands’ Eurovision 2024 entry Joost Klein has been banned from rehearsing for the grand finale while organisers investigate an ‘incident.’

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) did not specify the nature of the investigation but said the 26-year-old will not rehearse ‘until further notice.’

Klein was only briefly seen at the rehearsals on Friday during the flag parade before he missed performing his song Europapa.

It came the day after the Dutch rapper and singer qualified at the semi-final in Malmo Arena, Sweden.

A statement from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to the PA news agency said: ‘We are currently investigating an incident that was reported to us involving the Dutch artist. He will not be rehearsing until further notice.

‘We have no further comment at this time and will update in due course.’

The EBU did not specify the ‘incident’ it was investigating (Picture: EPA)

On Thursday at a press conference, Klein told Israeli act Eden Golan she should answer a question on whether she is comprising the safety of other contestants at Eurovision.

A journalist asked Golan: ‘Have you ever thought that by being here you bring risk and danger for other participants and public?’

When the moderator told the 20-year-old singer that she did not have to answer the question, Klein chimed in and said: ‘Why not?’

Golan said: ‘I think we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only, and the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone, and so I think it’s safe for everyone and we wouldn’t be here (if not).’

Klein jumped in when Golan was being questioned at a press conference (Picture: Jessica Gow/TT/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

The Israeli act also said she was ‘overwhelmed with emotions’ and that she was ‘super excited to go on stage once more, and share … my love with everyone.’

Earlier, when Klein was asked if his song can unite people by music, he replied: ‘I think that’s a good question for the EBU.’

This year’s singing competition has sparked protests due to its inclusion of Israel competitor Eden Golan, with the song Hurricane (renamed from the politically charged title October Rain).

Eurovision has been under major pressure to exclude Israel from the competition due to the country’s ongoing assault against Hamas in Gaza since October which has led to 35,000 deaths and counting.

Golan was asked if her presence created a risk to the public and performers (Picture: Reuters)

Despite calls to boycott the competition in solidarity with Palestine, Golan qualified for the grand final with a huge share of the vote (39.31%) according to data accidentally leaked by Italy’s broadcaster RAI.

Fans shared their shock and disbelief at the figures – and the fact they could be leaked.

‘How do you do that accidentally? If that is real, things might be even more grim than you think,’ X user Elianovision wrote.

‘I don’t even have the words,’ another user aama25_em said.

Golan’s Jury show performance was booed and filled with chants of Free Palestine from the audience. One X user called the atmosphere ‘horrible’ and tension-filled.

However, during the semi-final on Thursday, Golan was applauded and cheered by the audience while singing Hurricane, which was reworked from an early song, October Rain, thought to be reference to the attacks by Hamas on Israel in October.

Some fans suspected the cheers were ‘fake’ and were inserted into the stream of the performance but the EBU denied censoring the audience.

In a statement, it told Metro.co.uk:’Just like in all major TV productions with an audience, SVT work on the broadcast sound to even out the levels for TV viewers. 

Rylan skipped his elevator interview with Golan (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

‘This is solely to achieve as balanced a sound mix as possible for the audience; and SVT do not censor sound from the arena audience. 

‘The same principle applies to all competing performances and opening and interval acts.

‘The EBU and SVT encourage all audiences to attend in the spirit of the Contest, embracing its values of inclusivity, celebrating diversity and being United By Music.’

Presenter Rylan Clark missed his iconic elevator interview with Eden, with some speculating it was done on purpose due to the backlash against Israel. Rylan has not addressed the theories.

Metro.co.uk has contacted the EBU for comment.

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