Conchita Wurst came third in Russia's public Eurovision vote

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

Conchita Wurst’s triumphant Eurovision win on Saturday has been dubbed “the end of Europe” by one outspoken Russian politician, but it seems the Austrian drag artist’s performance was enjoyed by many of the country’s voters.

For the first time this year, a breakdown of who the public and juries chose as their favourites has been released and, according to The Week, Russians ranked Wurst third.

As the results came in during the live show, she received five points, meaning that it was the judges who marked her down, as the two results are averaged.

The “Rise Like A Phoenix” singer, real name Tom Neuwirth, came second out of 26 in the Armenian public vote, with Belarus placing her in fourth.

Perhaps these results are less surprising, however, as Wurst herself has said that "eighty per cent of autograph requests come from Russia and eastern Europe".

Before the song contest, petitions in the aforementioned three nations had called for “pervert” Wurst to be edited out of state broadcasts as she would “insult millions”.

Even Armenia’s entry, Aram MP3 said the bearded Wurst’s lifestyle was “not natural” and she should “decide whether she is a woman or a man”.

So, when Wurst was crowned victor, she took the opportunity to stand up for gay rights in the face of her homophobic critics, in front of an estimated 180 million viewers.

“This is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom,” she said, in tears. “We are unity, and we are unstoppable.”

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Russia, who were loudly booed as they phoned in with their results, responded to Wurst’s win with anticipated outrage.

“It has turned wild,” said parliamentarian Vladimir Zhirinovsky. “There are no men or women in Europe, just it.”

President Vladimir Putin’s vice premier Dmitry Rogozin also posted his reaction on Twitter, claiming that Wurst’s win “showed the eurointegrators their europerspective – a bearded girl”.

Speaking at a post-Eurovision press conference, Wurst said: “I really dream of a world where we don’t have to talk about unnecessary things like sexuality, where you’re from or who you love. This is not what it’s all about.”

Read more: How Eurovision's drag 'pervert' became Europe's queen
Conchita Wurst faces transphobic backlash
Tom Neuwirth performed Michael Jackson songs before Eurovision