Wogan backed over Eurovision attack

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On Saturday night Sir Terry cast doubt on whether he would be involved in covering the event again, after doing so since the 1970s.

He said it was "no longer a music contest" and that prospects for Western European participants were "poor".

Showbusiness legend Bruce Forsyth said: "I agree with him. It's not a song contest any more, it's political. It's all so biased, it's developed into a farce. I've stopped watching it, the last couple of years."

Forsyth said he had always admired Sir Terry - "His radio show has been so successful." And asked about the future of the show and Sir Terry's role in it, he quipped: "As long as they don't ask me to do it, I don't care!"

Pop svengali Simon Cowell said: "If people enjoy it as entertainment, that's great, but it's all a bit empty and meaningless as a competition."

Public relations guru Max Clifford commented: "Terry Wogan is spot on. It's all about politics and block voting and nothing to do with the merits of a song. It's like having a World Cup where the results are worked out in political terms and it's got nothing to do with who scores the most goals."

Sir Terry spoke out near the end of his commentary after Britain's entry Andy Abraham had a disappointing night in the 53rd contest. The former binman finished joint last of the 25 finalists.

Heart throb Dima Bilan of Russia romped to victory with a massive 272 points with a big ballad, produced by US R&B star Timbaland, called Believe.

Saturday night's contest was held in the Serbian capital Belgrade and was due to be watched by more than 100 million television viewers across Europe.