The fate of Joost Klein’s Eurovision final is unclear after the alleged incident

Just a day before the grand finale, it is unclear whether Dutch Eurovision candidate Joost Klein has taken his final bow in the song competition show.

The Dutch singer was banned from rehearsals on Friday evening while organizers, the European Broadcasting Union, investigate an unspecified “backstage incident” involving Klein, according to the BBC. The juries observing these rehearsals to determine grades for the final were shown a recorded performance of Klein’s performance from earlier in the week in his absence. The EBU did not immediately respond Weekly entertainment Please comment.

Klein’s uncertain status in the competition is notable because, according to the BBC, his song “Europapa,” dedicated to his parents, both of whom died when Klein was young, “is considered one of the frontrunners of this year’s competition.”

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At the first dress rehearsal on Friday in the Malmö Arena in Sweden, the audience noticed for the first time that something was wrong. The singer’s props were being placed on stage when someone from production ordered them to be removed. Then his performance was skipped and Israeli newcomer Eden Golan took the stage.

The EBU reportedly issued a statement half an hour before the second dress rehearsal explaining Klein’s absence as part of an “ongoing” investigation.

“While the investigation is ongoing, the EBU has decided that Joost Klein will not perform at dress rehearsal 2 of the competition, which will be voted on by juries in the 37 participating countries,” an EBU statement said. “Instead, his performance from Semi-Final 2 will be used. We have no further comment at this time and will update in due course.”

The event was marked by protests, AP reported, as pro-Palestinian demonstrators spoke out against Israel’s participation. An estimated over 10,000 people marched through the streets of Malmö on Thursday calling for a boycott of the competition.

With or without Klein, the Eurovision Grand Final begins on Saturday at 9 p.m. CEST. The finale begins airing at 3 p.m. Eastern Time in the U.S. and Canada. The Eurovision website contains a list of broadcasters. In the US, Peacock will stream the event.