Graham Linehan has shared his fury over a serious Eurovision resolution.
Graham Linehan is fuming over the Irish broadcaster’s resolution (Picture: Getty)
Irish comedy author and anti-transgender activist Graham Linehan has blasted Irish broadcaster RTÉ after it determined to air a very iconic episode of Father Ted, as a substitute of the Eurovision Tune Contest ultimate. RTÉ confirmed it is not going to broadcast this yr’s Eurovision ultimate and can as a substitute present the beloved Father Ted episode ‘A Tune For Europe’, wherein clergymen Ted and Dougal compete in a Eurovision-style contest with their tune My Pretty Horse.
The transfer comes as Eire joins Spain and Slovenia in boycotting the competitors over Israel’s participation amid the continuing genocide in Gaza. Reacting furiously on social media, Father Ted co-creator Linehan accused RTÉ of utilizing the sitcom as cowl for political messaging. He wrote on X: “I’m disgusted that Father Ted is getting used as a fig leaf to cowl RTE’s disgraceful antisemitism.”
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A Father Ted iconic episode is being proven as a substitute of Eurovision (Picture: Channel 4)
I’m disgusted that Father Ted is getting used as a fig leaf to cowl RTE’s disgraceful antisemitism. https://t.co/5KvGnLQLL4
— Graham Linehan (@Glinner) Might 11, 2026
Eire’s broadcaster stated final yr it felt participation in Eurovision could be “unconscionable” due to the humanitarian state of affairs in Gaza.
In an announcement, RTÉ stated it was involved by the “ongoing and appalling lack of lives in Gaza”, in addition to the killing of journalists and the plight of hostages nonetheless being held following the October 7 assaults.
The boycott has sparked main debate throughout Europe, notably after Israeli singer Yuval Raphael obtained the very best public vote whole in the course of the 2025 contest, solely to complete second general after jury scores had been added.
Following the competitors, RTÉ reportedly requested a full breakdown of the voting figures from the European Broadcasting Union, whereas Spanish broadcaster RTVE known as for a overview of the voting course of to forestall what it described as “exterior interference”.
The European Broadcasting Union later launched new guidelines designed to cease international locations organising coordinated voting campaigns for his or her acts.
Whereas Eire is not going to air the Eurovision ultimate, RTÉ2 plans to indicate various programming throughout the week, together with the Father Ted particular and different leisure exhibits.
The UK is broadcasting and participating within the present, as normal happening on the BBC, with Irish presenter Graham Norton again in his position as grasp of ceremonies. This yr the UK is being represented by solo artist LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER.
For particulars on how you can watch RTÉ as a substitute, take a look at the Every day Categorical web page on VPNs.
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