The first rehearsals for this year's Eurovision Song Contest are underway at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam.
After last year's contest was cancelled due to coronavirus, enhanced health and safety measures are in place this year to enable the show to go ahead in the Netherlands with a limited live audience present at the finals.
Over the next eight days the 39 participating countries will each get two opportunities to have a full rehearsal of their performance on the stage ahead of the semi-finals.
Due to travel worries, Australia have decided not to send their entrant, Montaigne, to the show in person and will instead be submitting a pre-recorded performance.
Today sees the seven acts competing in the first half of the first semi-final get a chance to test out the stage, with Lithuania's The Roop having kicked off proceedings at 10am local time.
Slovenia, Russia, Sweden, Australia (taped), North Macedonia and Ireland will also have a first run-through of their performances throughout the day.
Media Mole will be covering events in Rotterdam live over Eurovision fortnight - stick with us for continuing updates!
Neil Wilkes
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