'Best thing to come out of Leicester since the A47': Molly Smitten-Downes wins support on Twitter...but only lands seventeenth place on Eurovision
She won the praise of her fans on Twitter but the UK's Eurovision Song Contest entry Molly Smitten-Downes only managed seventeeth place on Saturday night.
The previously unknown 27-year-old singer performed her self-penned song Children Of The Universe dressed in a gold, feather-trimmed dress and received 40 points from voters in 26 countries.
British voters gave their highest score of 12 points to Austria's entry, drag queen Conchita Wurst, who went on to win the competition.
Glitttering: Molly Smitten-Downes performed Children of the Universe on Eurovision
She is known as the country's 'bearded lady' and sang Rise Like A Phoenix, claiming: 'We are unstoppable', as she collected her award on stage.
Although Molly missed out on the top spot, she had plenty of support on Twitter with followers describing her performance as the 'best song of the night'.
One fan wrote: 'Downloaded the song straight away. It's fair to say you've done the UK proud! stunning voice. Be proud of yourself. (sic)'
Hippy chic: The singer wore a boho look, with henna tattoos on her hands and arms
She received messages from well-wishers which included: 'Best thing to come out of Leicester since the A47' from one fan.
Another added: 'Well done Molly! #TeamMolly she did very well. So deserving for top 3.. If not a win!! X'
'There's a lot of love for the UK on tonight's #EurovisionSongContest2014 could we actually win it this year? Go Molly!! #Eurovision,' said another viewer.
Glamorous: Conchita Wurst sported a full beard which was combined with lipstick and diamond earrings
Powerful: A background of fire alluded to the phoenix in the song's title
'I feel like I'm related to Molly or something because I'm weirdly proud #Eurovision,' another fan added on Twitter.
More praise included: 'Molly was amazing. From my home town leicester got my vote. #MollySmittenDownes #EurovisionSongContest2014 #UK'.
Ahead of her performance, Molly thanked fans on Facebook, writing: 'Just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you. I am amazed everyday by your kindness, support and encouragement. I am so so grateful to be heading onto that stage singing a song I believe in so much.
Hosts: The 2014 Eurovision Song Contest was presented by Pilou Asbaek, Lise Ronne and Nikolaj Koppel
'I'm gonna sing it like I mean it, because I do, every word. I hope you feel it wherever you are! Now enjoy the party! HERE WE GO!! (sic)'
The Netherlands came in second place in the Eurovision Song Contest, while Armenia came in third in the competition.
Molly went into the contest with the best odds Britain has had for years.
Britain, like France, Luxembourg and Sweden, has won the contest five times and finished runner-up on a record 15 occasions.
First-up: Mariya Yaremchuk opened up the final of this year's Eurovision with her song Tick Tock
Stunt: The singer span a backing singer around in a prop resembling a hamster wheel
Only Ireland has won it more times, with seven successes since Eurovision started in 1956.
In 1967, Sandie Shaw took the title for the UK with Puppet On A String, followed two years later by Lulu with Boom Bang-a-Bang.
It took another seven years before Brotherhood Of Man performed Save Your Kisses For Me in 1976 and brought the accolade back to the UK.
Quirky: Belarus entry Teo sang a song entitled Cheesecake for his performance
In 1981 Bucks Fizz won with Making Your Mind Up. And the last time Britain was crowned winner was in 1997 with Love Shine A Light by Katrina And The Waves.
Before 1998, the nation only finished outside the top 10 twice.Since then, however, the entries have been branded a 'national joke', finishing towards the end of the table year after year.In 2003, 2008 and 2010, the acts finished last.
Molly was the last act to perform on the night, with Eurovision experts saying it was a good position because the song will have still been fresh in the memory as voting begins.
She landed her place in the final because the UK is one of the competition’s five big players who, along with the host nation, get an automatic place. alongside France, Germany, Italy, Spain and host Denmark.
Molly’s effort has so far failed to resonate with music buyers at home, with the song likely to achieve number 34 in the singles chart, according to latest figures from the Official Charts Company.
However, even that lowly placing is better than the past two efforts, with Tyler’s 2013 song failing to chart and Engelbert Humperdinck’s entry the year before only making it to number 60.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2625275/Molly-Smitten-Downes-wins-support-Twitter-sterling-effort-Britain-Eurovision.html#ixzz31M8qSq5A
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