Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/679878
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 2 Eurovision Euro-fringe... 'pugface' dubs Ira 'bitch' and riles fans THE national broadcaster PBS yes- terday condemned as "disgusting" and "sexist abuse" a tweet by Times of Malta blogger Andrew Borg Car- dona in which he called Eurovision contestant Ira Losco a bitch. The tweet was supposed to be a private message to the National- ist Party's radio jock David Thake, which Borg Cardona inadvertently tweeted publicly. "Can you imagine the feel good factor if the bitch wins?" he tweeted to Thake on Tuesday's semi-final competition. "The motherf***** will call an election," he said, referring to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Borg Cardona, a Nationalist pun- dit, apologised for the tweet later. But the tweet, picked up by the La- bour Party media, drew opprobrium from Ira Losco's manager, How- ard Keith, who said the comments "scrape the bottom of social media and humanity". "We have never done and will never get into politics, it is the one thing we have been consistent throughout," he said in a Facebook status. "There's a place and a time for everything. Apparently Andrew Borg Cardona has just called Malta's ambassador who is six months preg- nant a bitch for no reason whatsoev- er in his post. We have just scraped the bottom of social media and hu- manity." The national broadcaster then joined the fray, deploring Borg Car- dona's comment. "Ira Losco is a hugely talented artist who is empow- ering women by working to advance her career while at the same time expecting a baby. The nation must unite as one to support Ira Losco in the Eurovision tonight, as she en- deavours to make Malta proud." Borg Cardona later deleted his tweets and laughed them off in a tongue-in-cheek tweet. "Gawd, I'm an eejit. What I thought was a pri- vate message was actually public! That'll learn me, thought I was net savvy!" In a Facebook status, he publicly apologised to Ira Losco and said that his "vulgar comment" was uncalled for and unjustified. "My only de- fence is that it was a comment made only in a political context in what I thought was a private, light-hearted conversation," he said. "Again, my apologies and I wish her luck for to- night." Borg Cardona: 'Who you calling bitch?' Ira stuns: the mother-to-be's baby bump was only slightly visible but her glow radiated all throughout a stunning performance. Below: Maltese fans in Stockholm proudly wave the George Cross in support of Ira Losco Ira takes a bow in Sweden with stunning performance The Eurovision Song Contest result is available online on www.maltatoday. com.mt and www.eurovision.tv Maltese singer Ira Losco delivered a stunning performance of Walk On Water on Saturaday night, but was far off from clinching the top post with little by way of high points, and a fair few blanks from many of the partici- pating countries. Malta gave its 12 points to the Unit- ed Kingdom. And until going to press, Australia was riding high with the highest tally, with the song Sound of Silence by Da- mi Im. Ira wore a gold and black dress with a long train with a performance that provided some interaction with the dancer who was on stage with her. Ira already took part in the 2002 Eu- rovision Song Contest with the song 7th Wonder and ended second with only twelve points away from the title. This was Ira Losco's third outing at the Eurovision Song Contest. Losco confirmed that she is pregnant on mother's day after several online remarks on her appearance. She also revealed, when asked, that it is a boy. The grand finale yesterday took place at Stockholm's Globe Arena, stunning audiences worldwide with exception- allighting and stage visuals. Yesterday's performance saw Ameri- can pop sensation Justin Timberlake perform his new song to an audience of some 2 million viewers who tuned in to watch the Eurovision Song Con- test. The winner of the 2015 Junior Euro- vision Song Contest Destiny Chuku- nyere from Malta also joined the hosts on Eurovision stage. "It's bril- liant. I am so lucky to win the Junior. I'm working on some new songs and I want to invite you all to Malta for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest," said Destiny Chukunyere. And offering some light relief to the contest's proceedings, from the UK television programme Vicious, award winning actors Derek Jacobi and Ian McKellan in their respective roles as Stuart and Freddie give viewrs their take on this year's Eurovision Song Contest from the comfort of their sofa... and as usual not all their words were kind. Missed yesterday's proceedings? Go online at www.maltatoday.com.mt to relive the ESC with our live-blog, brought to you by playwright and music journalist Wayne Flask