Ireland's Eurovision Song Contest entry Bambie Thug has said they missed their final dress rehearsal after a "situation" required "urgent attention" from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
In a statement posted to their Instagram stories the Cork native, who is preparing to represent Ireland in tonight's Grand Final, said: "There was a situation while we were waiting to go to stage for the flag parade rehearsal which I felt needed urgent attention from the EBU - the EBU have taken this matter seriously and we have been in discussion about what action needs to be taken.
"This means I have missed my dress rehearsal - I am really sorry to the fans that have come to see me. I hope to see you on the stage tonight."
In response, the organisers of Eurovision said: "Bambie Thug did not perform in dress rehearsal three and the footage of their performance in dress rehearsal two was used in its place.
"They missed the dress rehearsal due to a situation that is currently being discussed with the EBU and Song Contest organisers.
"We hope that this will be resolved shortly and Bambie Thug will appear in the grand final show as planned."
On Friday, Bambie Thug said they cried with their team after Israel qualified for the grand finale.
Israel’s entry Eden Golan qualified on Thursday for the final with her song Hurricane amid pro-Palestinian protests against her homeland being included in the event.
Bambie wore a keffiyeh material, commonly used to suggest pro-Palestinian leanings, and carried Irish flags when they spoke to journalists ahead of the event at Malmö Arena in Sweden.
Asked how they felt when Golan qualified, the singer, who has become the first Irish entry to make the final since 2018, said: "I cried with my team."
Discussing Israel’s inclusion, they added: "It is a complete overshadow of everything, goes against everything that Eurovision is meant to be.
"It’s a big, big community together and their contestant was never allowed to even meet us.
"God forbid we have some conversation where minds might be changed.
"It’s definitely putting a cloud above it for everyone."
The singer also said they were fearful Ireland might miss out on votes due to the ongoing boycott to stop Eurovision.
In March, Bambie shared a statement, signed by a number of Eurovision contestants, setting out why they will remain in the competition.
Speaking yesterday, they said: "I am fearful that we will miss a lot of votes because of the boycotting and that those then will make someone else maybe more with the chance to win.
"But there are 200 million viewers and I think that, regardless, our performance stands out and it’s undeniable how theatrical … a moment that is."
Ahead of Golan's performance on Thursday, a heavy police presence arrived at Malmo's main square in anticipation of protests.
Bambie will perform at the grand finale on Saturday with their gothic Doomsday Blue.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said the "whole country will be rooting" for the singer when the contest takes place.
The EBU and Golan's representatives have been approached for comment.
Bambie Thug performs their song Doomsday Blue tenth at the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8.00pm
