EUROVISION fans watched in the UK as James Newman came last in the contest with the infamous 'nul points'.

Italy took the title this year, with rock band Maneskin's Zitti E Buoni winning the competition held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after the show was cancelled in 2020.

They are the first group to win the competition since 2006.

The UK’s hopeful James Newman scored zero points from the jury vote and from the public vote, the only entry to do so poorly.

He took the defeat in good humour, drinking a beer and standing up to applause from the live audience in the arena.

Newman, who is the older brother of pop star John Newman, had hoped to win over viewers with his rendition of upbeat track Embers, which was inspired by the end of lockdown.

He performed in front of a crowd of 3,500 fans at the Ahoy arena.

The UK is no stranger to the bottom of the Eurovision leaderboard and came in last place in 2019 with Michael Rice’s Bigger Than Us.

Famous fans of the contest were quick to send Newman their support.

Great British Bake Off star Matt Lucas tweeted: “We love you James Newman.”

BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker wrote: “Wowsers #NilPoints

“Well done James Newman for laughing it off.

“Only way to respond to a spectacular Europe-wide boot in the bits.”

Singer Tom Grennan wrote: “JAMES NEWMAN IS A TOP LAD.”

Drag Race star Michelle Visage said: “I am sending this tweet to James Newman and James only. You were INCREDIBLE.”

On stage after the band’s victory, Maneskin frontman Damiano David shouted into the microphone: “We just wanted to say to the whole of Europe, to the whole world, rock and roll never dies.”

Meanwhile Graham Norton offered up a hilarious commentary throughout the show. 

Here are some of his best lines:

– “We have some great vocalists tonight – some flat as Holland.”

– “It’s less Destiny’s Child … more Destiny’s Inappropriate Auntie.

– “Goodness. I guess hairdressers haven’t reopened in Serbia.”

– “Well this song is Marmite. If everyone hated Marmite.”

– “Why so angry? Was it the lack of conditioner in the hotel bathroom?”

– “They look like people from IT who dressed up as Steps for a Christmas party.

“This has already been streamed 30 million times. I’m reading that because I don’t understand it. Maybe it will grow on me, like mould on a bathroom ceiling.”