Noel Gallagher has quite rightly admitted he is a dedicated Eurovision fan after catching the 2006 final on TV while ‘a bit stoned’.

In the aftermath of his recent album release, Noel, 56, confessed that despite his tough demeanour, he was happily watching Mae Muller at Eurovision last month.

But what introduced him to the fun and frivolity of Europe’s most high-profile musical competition? It turns out, hard rockers Lordi are the ones to thank.

Lordi entered Eurovision in 2006 for Finland with their song Hard Rock Hallelujah – dressed in nightmarish costumes, they took the competition by storm.

Finishing over 60 points ahead of the chasing pack, Lordi’s victorious appearance became one of the most famous performances in the Song Contest’s history.

‘I f*****g love just getting p****d and watching the utter insanity of Eurovision. I watch it in private and laugh my b******s off,’ Noel said. ‘Eurovision is far out.’

Speaking to Jessie Ware’s Table Manners podcast, he gave details of the night he first fell in love with the contest and its penchant for theatrics.

‘I remember watching it the year when some Finnish guys [won]. It was like a black metal group, and they were all dressed up, called Lordi.’

‘I was sat watching it, a bit stoned, and thinking, “What the f**k?”’ Noel added. ‘Then they won it because obviously people were voting to take the p**s.’

Ever since that night 17 years ago, Noel has considered Eurovision to be ‘appointment ‘essential’ viewing, joining the millions who watch year after year.

Noel recently released his band The High Flying Birds’ fourth studio album, Council Skies, last Friday (June 2) and is aiming for the top spot.

However, up against the new Foo Fighters record But Here We Are, Noel faces stiff competition in his bid to land his fourth consecutive number one album.

And on Thursday, The 1975’s frontman Matt Healy responded to Noel’s criticism of him, when the Chocolate singer was described as a ‘slack-jawed f**kwit’.

The war of words began when Matty accused Noel and his brother Liam Gallagher of being ‘mard’ with each other since Oasis’ split back in 2009.

In response, Noel jabbed: ‘That f**king slack-jawed f**kwit. What did he say? He would never be able to imagine it. He needs to go over how s*** his band is and split up.’

The Eurovision Song Contest is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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