Europe has its song contest winner; Conchita Wurst!

Austria wins the 2014 Eurovision Song contest with a landslide as bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst Rises like a phoenix.

Austria has won the 59th Eurovision Song Contest last night in the B&W Hallerne, Copenhagen. Conchita Wurst, the bearded drag queen, took her country to victory with the James Bond/Shirley Bassey inspired power ballad ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’, scoring 290 points. Austria finished ahead of the Netherlands, who were represented by The Common Linnets and Swedish sweetheart Sanna Nielsen who both respectively took silver and bronze.

The three countries had made a surge with the bookmakers in the last few days ahead of the final, after both the Netherlands and Austria convincingly qualified in their semis. After last night’s show, the EBU released the full voting results which also announced both the Netherlands and Austria had both won their respective semi finals.

The alter ego of 25 year old Tom Neuwirth, was announced by ORF as the Austrian candidate early December 2013 and sparked much debate across Europe, especially in East-Europe. The singer received votes from 33 of the 37 countries that voted last night, of which 13 countries awarded their 12 points to Conchita Wurst.

The singer has widely been praised, but also criticised, to promote equality.

ORF, the Austrian broadcaster announced during the winner’s press conference that they are looking forward organizing the 60th edition of the Eurovision song contest next year. Vienna and Salzburg are currently already named as potential host cities.

Watch Conchita perform her winning entry ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ last night.