Dame Joanna Lumley reveals Eurovision role: 'It's such a FABULOUS honour!'

Dame Joanna Lumley will act as the UK's jury spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

The 78-year-old actress - who is best known for starring as boozy fashion editor Patsy Stone in 'Absolutely Fabulous' but is also a sought-after voice artist noted for her honeyed tones - will reveal scores during the competition's grand final in Malmo, Sweden on Saturday May 11.

She said: "I am delighted to be announcing the jury vote for the UK at this year's Eurovision. It's such a fabulous honour to give the iconic 'douze points'!"

The news was first announced by Eurovision commentator Graham Norton on his Friday evening chat show, where he joked that she should do it in the fashion of her sitcom alter-ego.

He said: "Glassful of champagne, fistful of cigarettes. Yeah, do it!"

In 2023, when the UK came second-to-last with Mae Muller's entry 'I Wrote A Song', the results were read out by 'Doctor Who' star Catherine Tate and others who have had the honour to do so include Nigella Lawson, Mel Giedroyc, former 'Pointless' host Richard Osman and Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker.

This year, the UK will be represented by Years and Years singer Olly Alexander with the song 'Dizzy', but he admitted that he he tried "not to have a breakdown" after he was pressured by a group called Queers for Palestine to boycott the show altogether over the inclusion of Israel amid their war on Gaza.

Just before joining Eurovision, Olly had signed a petition launched by the LGBTQ+ activist group calling for a ceasefire but remained committed to the contest as he declared that he "believes in the unifying power of music", although he later "struggled" on the day of the Eurovision Party performance in London in early April.

He told The Times: "Yes, I struggled on that day.

"I was holed up in a room trying not to have a breakdown. Normally, you get on stage and turn it on, but I felt really unable to do that. It was tough."