Eurovision 2024 LIVE: Latest updates from Malmo after Dutch rapper Joost Klein is axed from contest and Ireland's Bambie Thug misses final dress rehearsal - as Olly Alexander battles to win crown for UK

Five nations, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, automatically qualified for tonight's final by virtue of belonging to the 'Big 5' - a group of nations who make the largest financial contributions to Eurovision's organisers, the European Broadcasting Union.

Sweden also earned immediate passage after the singer Loreen won the competition while representing the country in Liverpool last year.

Ten countries qualified during the first semi-final on Tuesday with five countries missing out: Poland, Iceland, Moldova Azerbaijan and Australia.

While the remaining 10 entrants sealed their inclusion in the second semi-final contested on Thursday with six nations missing out: Malta, Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, San Marino and Belgium.

The Netherlands qualified in the second cohort but have since been disqualified.

Sweden will perform first in tonight’s running order with Olly Alexander and the UK 13th in the draw – fingers crossed it’ll prove lucky for some!

Eurovision organisers clarified earlier today that tonight's running order will be unchanged following Dutch entrant Joost Klein's disqualification.

Netherlands were scheduled to be number five.

In a statement, the organisers asked viewers not to attempt to vote for Netherlands and clarified that Dutch nationals will still be able to vote in the competition.

Full statement here:

MailOnline has reported how the Eurovision final has been thrown into turmoil after a series of crises unraveled in Malmo before the grand final is scheduled to start at 8pm UK time.

So let's recap the events that threaten to overshadow the contest:

Read more here

With two semi-finals held earlier this week and plenty of scrutiny in the build up to tonight's final, let's take a look at some of the Eurovision stories we've covered this week.

Here is a selection of stories we have published on our website including the storm surrounding Israeli-Russian singer Eden Golan (pictured):

Ireland's entrant Bambie Thug has fulled doubts over whether they will perform at tonight's final after pulling out of final rehearsals.

Eurovision organisers said they hoped the singer will take to the stage in Malmo later following a 'situation' that it hoped would be 'resolved shortly'

A spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union said:

With two hours to go before the final kicks off and excitement building across the UK and the continent, let's take a look at some Eurovision superfans who have been pictured gathering in Malmo earlier today.

Let's just recap that seismic development earlier today as Swedish police investigate Joost Klein over over an incident allegedly involving a female production crew member.

Amid already heightened tensions surrounding the contest with protests expected in Malmo over the inclusion of Israeli singer Eden Golan, the incident has drawn more attention even before the singers take to the stage.

Read more here:

It has been a dramatic day already in Malmo after Eurovision organisers disqualified Dutch contender Joost Klein (pictured) earlier today.

The 26-year-old singer and rapper was absent from two rehearsals on Friday and it has since emerged Swedish police are investigating a complaint allegedly made by a female member of the production crew.

It means 25 countries will now participate in tonight's final which promises more entertainment with good, bad and downright bizarre performances ahead of us

Follow our blog as we guide you through the 68th edition of Eurovision which starts at 8pm UK time.

Viewers can watch the action on BBC One.