Eurovision fans get the nibbles and drinks in ahead of the biggest - and campest - pop celebration of the year

Die-hard Eurovision fans are setting up for their annual watch parties ahead of the grand final tonight, despite calls for a boycott as the song contest is in crisis over political disputes.

The Eurovision Song Contest has been left in turmoil after a raft of major crises unraveled just hours before the grand final is due to start.

Ireland's entry Bambie Thug missed their final dress rehearsal after they said a 'situation' required 'urgent attention' from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), who are organising the event.

It came just hours after it was revealed Dutch contender Joost Klein has been axed from the contest after being quizzed by police over an incident involving 'a female member of the production crew'.

And France's entry Slimane has interrupted his own performance to say the contest should be: 'United by music, yes, but for love, for peace' to the rapturous cheers of the audience.

Meanwhile, outside the venue 15,000 pro Palestine protestors gathered in Malmö demanding Israeli contestant Eden Golan be kicked out of the final.

But none of this has deterred Eurovision's loyal fan base from going ahead with their watch parties as they take to social media to show off their set ups.

One X, formerly Twitter, user posted pictures of her very patriotic party decorations in her living room lined with Union Jack flags.

Others showed off their official Eurovision banners, bunting and balloons and are donning masks of Olly Alexander who is representing the UK.

The warm weather has inspired a few to move their celebrations outside with big projector screens in their gardens and gazebos and even paddling pool parties.

One user posting their party set up wrote: 'Who is excited for @Eurovision ? My family are throwing out first Eurovision party. Wishing @alexander_olly all the best. You got this. Life is too short not to throw a good party and have fun!'

Another showed off her 6-year-old nephew Theodore's handmade poster to welcome his family to the Eurovision party he is throwing.

BBC presenter Ngunan Adamu posted a video to X announcing that she will be hosting a screening party at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool alongside radio host Rich Furness, The Vengaboys and singer Katy Alex.

A super fan has even made a two-tier Eurovision ABBA themed cake complete with built-in disco lights to have at their party tonight, as others wave European flags outside their windows.

Meanwhile, venues across the country are cancelling Eurovision gigs in solidarity with Palestine and after protest groups instructed their followers to hound pubs showing the contest over Israel's inclusion.

Bars going ahead with their events face boycotts and pickets as they prepare for the singing competition, with pro-Palestine supporters striking out against the inclusion of Israel's Eden Golan as one of the favourites for Saturday's grand final.

Action group Brighton Queers for Palestine has posted the contact numbers for bars that are continuing with their nights as they tell their followers to 'call and ask them to reconsider screening Eurovision' as they accuse them of 'complicity in genocide'.

Two of London's biggest Eurovision events have now been cancelled, with four axed in Brighton as activists threaten protests.

LGBTQ entertainment venue the Royal Vauxhall Tavern made the decision to close this week, telling fans this week that they 'will not be open for any event on Saturday night.'

Speaking to MailOnline, the cabaret club - which has hosted the likes of Lily Savage and Bucks Fizz - said they feared clashes over the controversial night and decided instead to 'stay clear'.

They said: 'The reason we've closed on Saturday night was because of the diversity of our programming we've got a young crowd and we've also got the older crowd, both have very different views in terms of what is happening with Free Palestine and also Eurovision, which is something for many years here.

'I've closed the venue on Saturday night for safety of our staff and for no other reason.

'I don't want to offend any group and I don't understand fully the Palestine or Israel situation.

'We're a small independent business and I think I've just made the right decision to stay clear.' 

And the Rio picture house - a historic cinema founded by a Jewish businesswoman over a century ago - will not show Eurovision in protest at Israel's participation in the competition.

For years it has hosted Eurovision Party London, the most popular event to catch the finals in the capital, but in March told fans it had 'collectively decided' with the organisers not to screen it 'while Israel remains in the competition'.

The East London cinema has since been probed by The Charity Commission, who admitted that their behaviour appears to be 'concerning' and that they had also 'received concerns from members of the public.'

In a statement posted on their website, the Rio Cinema said: 'Following discussion with the organisers of Eurovision Party London, we have collectively decided not to screen the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest this year while Israel remains in the competition.

'The Eurovision Party London has been a beloved partner of The Rio Cinema for many years, and we will continue to work with them in the future.

'We firmly believe that the Eurovision Song Contest has the power to bring people together across the world, and when its core values of inclusivity, equality and universality are upheld, it can be a genuine force for good. With its own slogan in mind, we hope that we can all be United By Music again.

'We will continue to organise fundraising events for the charities we support, including Doctors Without Borders and Medical Aid for Palestine.'