The Eurovision semi-finals start tonight — here are the acts everyone is talking about and the bookies’ favourites

Bambie Thug is representing Ireland with Doomsday Blue in tonight's first semi-final. Photo: TT News Agency/Jessica Gow/via Reuters

Kirsty Blake Knox

A total of 15 acts will compete tonight in the first of the Eurovision semi-finals for 10 slots in Saturday night’s Grand Final.

For the first time ever, two of the ‘Big Five’ countries, United Kingdom and Germany, will take to the stage (they will automatically go through to the Grand Final).