The hot favourite to win Saturday’s Eurovision song contest is Norway – despite coming last a record ten times – bookies have them at 11-10 to take the prize this year. Fans are getting ready for their annual fix of musical kitsch with the lavish final coming from the Olimpiyski Arena in Moscow for the first time.

It is the 54th Eurovision and what has become one of Europe’s most-watched TV shows is promising to be one of the glitziest. 42 entrants have been whittled down to 25 finalists – the final will kick off with Lithuania and Spain will round off the extravaganaza before the vote begins. There will be no Georgian contestant – their song was rejected for taking a swipe at Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin following the war between the two countries last year. The former President himself dropped into the arena last week to check on preparations.More about: Russia

Copyright © 2012 euronews