Finland’s Eurovision Song Contest entrant PKN, who all have learning difficulties, have been knocked out of the competition at the first semi-final stage.
The punk band are one of six entrants already out of the annual contest, with the biggest shock being Danish boyband Anti-Social Media, who now have the unwanted distinction of being the first band from Denmark not to reach the final since 2007. Another country that normally performs well, the Netherlands, have also been voted out.
Fans of PKN, which stands for Pertti Kurikan Nimipaivat, were far from pleased about the band’s exit, with many taking to Twitter to voice their disapproval. One Finnish commenter, Nitin Sood, wrote that they made her proud of her country because they were so “gifted, talented and amazing”. She added that she wished she possessed their strength and courage.
Another tweeter, Matt, said that he was “fuming” they did not qualify for the final because they were “giving it their all to rock”.
The four-piece act were the first group all with learning disabilities to have ever entered the contest, and bookmakers had placed them among the favourites from the very beginning.
This year will be another first for the Eurovision Song Contest, with Australia being represented for the first time (by Guy Sebastien) in celebration of the event’s 60th anniversary.