Greek singer wins Eurovision

Greek Eurovision entry Paparizou has won the annual song contest in the Ukraine.

10:50 22 May 2005

Greek Eurovision entry Helena Paparizou has won the annual song contest in the Ukraine.

Britain's 2005 entry Javine came third from last, attracting just 18 points in a telephone poll of 39 countries. Javine, whose pop career took off after she was a finalist in 2002's Popstars: The Rivals, narrowly missing out on a place in Girls Aloud.

The 23-year-old singer announced on Friday that she was suffering throat problems, but completed her performance of song Touch My Fire last night.

The Greek song My Number One scooped 230 points, 38 more than second placed Malta, beating 23 nations finalists.

Greek winner Helena Paparizou was an early favourite to win the contest in the Ukrainian capital Kiev.

Ukrainian entry Ruslana won last year's prize with her leather-clad spectacular Wild Dances. The former Soviet state staged the contest despite its recent Orange Revolution, which saw opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko taking office.

The Ukraine's entrant this year, Greenjolly, performed Razom Nas Bahato, the unofficial anthem of last year's protests, backed by dancers wearing hooded tops and handcuffs.

The UK last won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997 with Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves. In 2003, duo Jemini received nil points for the UK for the first time ever. Last year's British contestant, former Fame Academy student James Fox, finished in 16th place with Hold Onto Your Love.