Eurovision has been thrown into further chaos after the UK’s entry was reportedly axed when the BBC discovered their past ‘unacceptable comments and behaviour’.

It was reported on Friday that the unnamed music act was hauled into a meeting with BBC execs and told they would no longer represent the UK at May’s concert in Vienna.

The solo artist is said to have been dragged into a meeting after comments they had made online previously were discovered during routine background checks.

As a result of the act being axed, The Sun reported that the BBC have been frantically trying to find a replacement over the last month.

The act had not yet been made public and was set to be announced in Spring.

Last year the UK was represented by Remember Monday, who performed their original song What The Hell Just Happened? and finished in 19th place out of 26 countries in the final.

Eurovision has been thrown into further chaos after the UK's entry was reportedly axed when the BBC discovered their past 'unacceptable comments and behaviour' (Draw session pictured earlier this month)
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Eurovision has been thrown into further chaos after the UK’s entry was reportedly axed when the BBC discovered their past ‘unacceptable comments and behaviour’ (Draw session pictured earlier this month)

A source told the publication: ‘The BBC can’t take any chances with Eurovision being such a pressure cooker this year. Routine checks brought up past behaviour that just didn’t line up.

‘It was brutal but they were dragged into a meeting and told they could no longer represent the UK, naturally the person was mortified and devastated.

Should Eurovision be scrapped?

‘It’s been a mess ever since the start of the year trying to find a new act.’

The publication went on to say it is understood the comments made were not related to the conflict in the Middle East – after several countries decided to boycott the event due to Israel’s participation.

The BBC told the Daily Mail in a statement: ‘A rigorous due diligence process is always undertaken before an Act is offered the opportunity to represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision. We will be announcing this year’s chosen act shortly.’

Eurovision is facing its most serious crisis in the history of the contest, experts warned last month, as more countries considered joining Ireland, Spain, Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia in boycotting the event.

It came after several public broadcasters pulled out of next year’s competition after organisers decided to allow Israel to compete.

Host nation Belgium’s broadcaster said at the time it would ‘take a position in the coming days’, however is going ahead.

The publication went on to say it is understood the comments made were not related to the conflict in the Middle East - after several countries pledged to boycott the event due to Israel's participation (Protesters flying a Palestine flag as Israel performed last year)
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The publication went on to say it is understood the comments made were not related to the conflict in the Middle East – after several countries pledged to boycott the event due to Israel’s participation (Protesters flying a Palestine flag as Israel performed last year)

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union – a group of public broadcasters from 56 countries that runs the glitzy annual event – met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation, which some countries oppose over its conduct in Gaza.

At the meeting, EBU members voted to adopt tougher contest voting rules in response to allegations that Israel manipulated the vote in favour of their contestants, but took no action to exclude any broadcaster from the competition.

The feel-good pop music gala that draws more than 100 million viewers every year has been roiled by the war in Gaza for the past two years, stirring protests outside the venues and forcing organisers to clamp down on political flag-waving.

‘It’s a historic moment for the European Broadcasting Union. This is certainly one of the most serious crises that the organisation has ever faced,’ said Eurovision expert Dean Vuletic.

‘Next year, we’re going to see the biggest political boycott of Eurovision ever.’

Last year the show saw chaos in the UK after Ncuti Gatwa pulled out of presenting the votes during the Grand Final.

The Rwandan-Scottish actor, 33, had been set to present the British jury’s points for each participating country’s song before the BBC announced he had pulled out due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.

The announcement of his absence came just minutes after Israel’s Yuval Raphael secured the nation’s place in the final.

Last year the show saw chaos in the UK after Ncuti Gatwa pulled out of presenting the votes during the Grand Final
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Last year the show saw chaos in the UK after Ncuti Gatwa pulled out of presenting the votes during the Grand Final

The BBC confirmed in an Instagram statement: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend'
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The BBC confirmed in an Instagram statement: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend’

It sparked rife speculation that Ncuti – who has been vocal in his support for Palestine – withdrew due to Israel’s qualification for the Grand Final.

The BBC announced Sophie Ellis-Bextor as his last-minute replacement on Eurovision.

Their statement read: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend.

‘However we are delighted to confirm that BBC Radio 2’s very own Friday night Kitchen Disco Diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be presenting the Jury result live from the UK.’