By Chris Lockyer, arts and entertainment reporter 

When it came down to it, the trophy was Loreen’s to lose.

She was favourite the minute she won Sweden’s intense selection process, and has led from the front at every turn.

Kaarija came agonisingly close to that win for Finland, and the public clearly loved him. That song will be a Eurovision fave for years to come.

For the UK, it’s business as usual.

You have to feel for Mae Muller. The song was great and she was so well loved and backed.

I was one of those who thought she would come top 10 on the night, but ultimately, the track was lost in a strong field. It’s a real shame.

But for Ukraine, as Tvorchi performed on stage, Russia was dropping missiles on their home town, bringing home the reason this party was being held in Liverpool – Ukraine is still at war.

The bombs dropped just minutes before they walked on stage in front of around 180 million viewers.

And while next year will be Sweden’s show (for the third time in 12 years), the shadow of the Ukrainian conflict will still no doubt hang heavy.