WAS it politics? Nah, they were just a load of old rubbish. And with that damning indictment of the United Kingdom's worst performance in the Eurovision Song Contest, another song was struck up and the commentator left to join the party.

Liverpudlian duo Jemini may have scored an all-time low of "nil points", but the fact was that it didn't matter to these fans of the contest.

According to organisers of Eurofest 2003, a huge celebration in Newcastle over the bank holiday weekend, it isn't the winning that counts when it comes to Eurovision - it's the fact that we are still taking part after all these years.

The thousands who gathered for the pre-contest concert in the Newcastle Opera House were inclined to agree.

Organisers had lined up three UK acts that had previously won Eurovision.

And by the time 1980s skirt-rippers Bucks Fizz took to the stage, the venue was bouncing.

They were joined by Katrina and the Waves, who triumphed with Love Shine A Light in 1997, and The Brotherhood of Man, who won in 1976 with Save All Your Kisses For Me.

"It's great," was all one delirious fan could say. "They're just as I remember them," said a woman, who could only have been a baby when Brotherhood of Man were doing their funky dance in the long hot summer of 1976.

The main event on Saturday, a screening of the entire Eurovision, was held at the Tyneside Cinema.

It lasted until 2am - long after Chris Cromby, 21, and Gemma Abbey, 20, notched up the dreaded "Nil Points" with their song, Cry Baby.

UK officials blamed politics for the poor voting. They believe some countries deliberately marked down the duo as a reprisal for the UK's actions in Iraq. Some reprisal.

In Newcastle, no one genuinely cared who won. They were just intoxicated by the whole contest.

The show was beamed live from Latvia on to two giant screens. The audience was also treated to a special recorded message from the twinkly-eyed Godfather of Eurovision, Terry Wogan.

Organisers believe the event boosted Tyneside's bid for the European Capital of Culture 2008 title - and their hopes that the city may one day even host the contest.

Tim Cantle-Jones, of event organiser Polar Productions, said: "Culture is a very broad church. While a lot of people want to go to the opera, dance or theatre, Eurovision has its place as well.

"Newcastle is a fun, party city and a great place to celebrate Eurovision."

Its celebrations aren't over yet. Today, pint-sized pop star Sonia, fresh from her tour on ITV's Reborn in the USA show, leads a Eurovision sing-along.

The tiny flame-haired diva, a runner-up in the 1993 Eurovision with Better The Devil You Know, will be performing in Huxters pub, in Northumberland Street, Newcastle. The audience is invited to pay tribute to their favourite past contestants, by getting into fancy dress.

"It's promising to be a fantastically fun weekend," said Mr Cantle-Jones. "And the next time the UK wins, I think Newcastle will be perfectly placed to host the concert the following year.

"We bid for it in 1997, but we have a much better infrastructure now. All we have to do is win it."

Given Saturday's abysmal performance, perhaps we shouldn't hold our breath