Sir Terry Wogan, the BBC's face of the Eurovision song contest since the 1970's has said he may step down from his presenting role following another year dominated by political voting.
Despite the UK's Andy Abraham being regarded as having a strong entry for 2008, the X Factor finalist finished in last place, behind seemingly outlandish efforts from countries like Spain and Bosnia-Hercegovina. Wogan says he feels the time may be right to leave a role he previously took immense pleasure from hosting.
"I don't want to be presiding over yet another debacle," he told the BBC. "Russia were going to be the political winners from the beginning."
"I think it's tremendously disappointing from the point of view of the United Kingdom," he added.
"Andy Abraham gave, I think, the performance of his life with a song that certainly deserved far more points than it got when you look at the points that Spain got, that Bosnia-Hercegovina got - some really ridiculous songs."
Wogan added he felt it was "no longer a music contest" and that he may follow his producer Kevin Bishop out of the door, who had retired after this year's competition.
A number of figures have come out in support of Wogan's comments this week. Legendary entertainer Bruce Forsyth said: "I agree with him. It's not a song contest any more, it's political. It's all so biased, it's developed into a farce. I've stopped watching it, the last couple of years."
Simon Cowell added, "If people enjoy it as entertainment, that's great, but it's all a bit empty and meaningless as a competition."
