Former Eurovision winner Dana has said Ireland should pull out of the Contest this year rather than send people's vote winner Dustin The Turkey to represent them this year. "I just think it's making a mockery of the contest and if we think it's such a big joke then let's get out of it", she says. "Certainly don't put a turkey in a trolley up against singers who are desperately trying to make a way in their career".
"The problem is they love puppets in Europe". She adds "If, God forbid he wins, we'll probably have more puppets than people in next year's Eurovision".
I can kind of see her point. But I am still looking forward to seeing the kids' TV star performing 'Irelande Douze Pointes' on 20 May in Belgrade. And I'm not the only one. Bob Geldof and Terry Wogan are both backing the turkey. Geldof says: "It would be rank 'poultryism' should one of the greatest talents Ireland has ever produced be not allowed to represent our glorious musical heritage. If the Eurovision Song Contest is known for anything at all, it is for the vast number of turkeys it produces each year. The fact that Dustin is a turkey should give Ireland the edge. Ireland will gobble them up".
While Eurovision doyen Terry Wogan recycled the turkey comment he made about the UK contest the other week, telling The Sun: "Dustin the Turkey will wow them from Belarus to Reykjavik. After all, for the past few years, we've been picking a turkey for the UK".