Irish Eurovision star Bambie Thug gets huge win after worrying illness

Ireland is among the favourites to win this year's Eurovision Song Contest with the country's act, Bambie Thug, having seen their odds slashed this week ahead of the competition.

The contest will be hosted in Malmö throughout this week, after Sweden won for a seventh time last year with two-time winner Loreen. And it marks the 50th anniversary of the country winning for the first time with ABBA in 1974.

Most participating acts will compete in one of the semi-finals, with the first being held on Tuesday night, followed by the second on Thursday. Those who qualify to progress in the competition will then appear in Saturday's grand final.

Bambie Thug, 31, whose real name is Bambie Robinson, is among the acts taking part in Eurovision this year. They are representing Ireland with the song Doomsday Blue and will compete against 14 other acts in the first of the semi-finals.

READ MORE: Who is Bambie Thug? Ireland Eurovision hopeful's real name, family background and personal life

It has been announced that following "a flood of bets" over the weekend, Ladbrokes have now slashed the odds on Bambi winning Eurovision from from 16/1 to just 9/1. Ireland is one of the favourites alongside the likes of Switzerland.

Ireland, however, would have to get through its semi-final first. The bookmaker lists its odds for qualifying for the grand final as 1/25 now. Additionally, it has the country listed with odds of 8/1 on Bambie actually winning the semi-final.

Bambie Thug, who will be representing Ireland, is among the favourites at the Eurovision Song Contest this year
(Image: JESSICA GOW/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Although Ireland is tied with Sweden in having won Eurovision on seven occasions since the contest began, the country has only qualified for the grand final once over the last decade. Ireland last qualified for the final in 2018, when it was represented by Ryan O'Shaughnessy, which marked the country's first time in the final since in 2013.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes has teased that "all eyes are on" Bambie at the moment ahead of the potential for Ireland to qualify once again. Alex said: "All eyes are on Bambie Thug right now and our traders are clearly convinced Ireland have a great chance of going all the way in Sweden."

The latest odds from Ladbrokes have the five favourites to win as Croatia 's Baby Lasagna (11/8), Switzerland's Nemo (7/2), Italy 's Angelina Mango (5/1), Ukraine 's alyona alyona & Jerry Heil (6/1), whilst the United Kingdom, represented by Olly Alexander, has odds of 66/1.

The bookmaker's odds suggest that Baby Lasagna, who are set to perform Rim Tim Tagi Dim, is the favourite to win the first semi-final for Croatia. The favourites includes Croatia (1/3), Ukraine (4/1), Ireland (8/1) and then Finland (12/1).

The act will be competing against the likes of Baby Lasagna, who are representing Croatia, in Sweden this week
(Image: JESSICA GOW/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The latest odds come after Bambie announced last week that they had been hospitalised after eating "bad shellfish" just days before the semi-final. The artist told fans that they wouldn't be doing a scheduled meet and greet as a result.

As previously reported, Bambie took to their Instagram account on Saturday to share: "Hey guys, really sorry but I have to cancel my meet and greet performance today... I had to go to hospital late last night and be put on a drip because I ate some bad shellfish. I need to take the day to try and recover so I can smash my performances next week."

The Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals air on Tuesday and Thursday from 8pm on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. Whilst the grand final will be broadcast on the same platforms on Saturday from 8pm .

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube a nd Threads .