Eurovision 2013: Britain's chances get a little better

Mostly driven by the fear of what it would cost if they won, countries are starting to pull out of next year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Portugal and Poland have both said they won't turn up; Greece and Cyprus are making noises which suggest they might not have the cash to be part of it. That they've only managed one win between all four nations might suggest the fear of an expensive win might be a little misplaced. But even the costs of taking part are proving something of a barrier.

Portugal, interestingly, sat out in 1970 on some sort of moral principle after the first prize had been shared by four countries the year before.

Darkness at 3AM: Blame it on Rio

It's not just the clunking review of Rod Stewart's Portuguese festival appearance that's surprising about the 3AM page this morning, nor their excitement at seeing Rod:

A trim looking Rod then raced through classics such as Baby Jane and Forever Young where he couldn't stop grinning as the crowd sang along, albeit in slightly broken English.

(People in Portugal don't sing in proper English shocker.)

No, the real surprise is that someone's let a clunking 'related item' story appear that seems to link Stewart to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Winehouse: Back, late and underwhelming

To be fair, the audiences booing Winehouse's comeback gig at a Portuguese festival only booed her late arrival, but when she did turn up, they weren't exactly thrilled then, either, reports the Associated Press:

Winehouse, wearing a short dress, appeared distracted during her performance. She paused to talk to members of her band, fiddled at length with her microphone, sucked throat candy and at one point dashed offstage but quickly returned.

She had cuts on her left arm, and her right hand was bandaged.

There was no encore. Although as she was third on the bill, that's not that surprising.