Irelands' entry Lesley Roy has taken to the stage for the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The singer-songwriter from Balbriggan gave an energetic performance of her song Maps.
Singing in bare feet, Roy appeared alongside an elaborate backdrop of moving paper cut-outs.
The name's Roy. Lesley Roy. #Eurovision #IRL 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/l4WK7CzBOY
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 18, 2021
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Her performance was met with rapturous applause from the live audience in Rotterdam.
Elsewhere, Russian entry Manizha gave an eye-catching performance of her song Russian Woman, which focused on female empowerment.
The rapper came on stage in a large, multicoloured dress before emerging from the garment in a red boiler suit.
Australian entry Montaigne performed her song Technicolour remotely after being unable to travel to Rotterdam for the competition.
Slovenia, Sweden and Lithuania are among the other countries that were represented on stage during the first semi-final.
Coverage of the competition is airing on RTÉ Two .
🇮🇪 Lesley Roy is putting Ireland on the #Eurovision map with this performance 👌 pic.twitter.com/U0n65EOD9C
— BBC Eurovision🇬🇧 (@bbceurovision) May 18, 2021
Rylan Clark-Neal had been due to present the programme, however he was replaced by Sara Cox because of illness.
During the BBC Four coverage, San Marino entry Senhit confirmed in an interview that she will be joined by US rapper Flo Rida for the second semi-final on Thursday.
Last year’s Eurovision was cancelled due to the pandemic.
