Eurovision: Wogan shuts up

One of the great broadcasting traditions - that of listening to a mildly sloshed Irishman railing against Eastern Europeans - has ended, with the news that Terry Wogan is stepping down from Eurovision:

"I've had 35 wonderful years commentating on the Eurovision for radio and television.

"From my first, in a small musichall in Dublin, to my last, in the huge arena in Belgrade, it has been nothing but laughter and fun.

"The silly songs, the spectacle, the grandiose foolishness of it all.

"Let's hope that between [New presenter Graham Norton] and the musical brilliance of Lloyd Webber, Royaume Uni will gather its proper share of 'Douze Points' and bring the Grand Prix home to where it belongs."

Nothing but laughter and fun - ah, yes, like the suggestions that the judges were racist or being accused by the Eurovision management of making the event ridiculous. Laughter and fun, laughter and fun.