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Celine Dion made a cameo during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 tonight in a video message amid speculation she will return for the grand final

A special message was shared for fans of the Eurovision Song Contest by Celine Dion in the first semi-final this week. The singer shared her pride over having once won the contest in the video, which left some fans emotional.

There has been speculation that Celine, 57, could perform in the grand final of the contest in Basel, Switzerland, on Saturday. It would mark her return to Eurovision after taking her career to new heights when she won the international competition with the Ne partez pas sans moi in 1988.

Celine was representing Switzerland when she won more than 30 years ago. That marked the last time that the country, which has won three times overall, topped the leaderboard prior to Nemo’s victory with the Code last year.

She’s enjoyed a successful career since competing in the contest but has taken a step back from performing since announcing in 2022 that she’d been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) in 2022. It’s described as a rare neurological disorder, with symptoms said to include muscle stiffness and spasms. She however made a ‘comeback’ at the Olympics in Paris last year, where she performed on top of the Eiffel Tower.

Organisers of this year’s Eurovision in Switzerland paid tribute to Celine tonight whilst celebrating their own history in the contest. Fans were also treated to a video message from Celine, which appeared to have been pre-recorded.

Celine said in the short video: “Dear Eurovision family and contestants, I’d love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now. Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s a country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something so extraordinary.

“Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me, and I’m so thankful for everyone who supported me. Now, 37 years later, it’s so beautiful and emotional to see Switzerland winning and hosting this incredible event once again. To the people of Switzerland, thank you for your love. This night is yours, and I hope you feel as proud as I do.”

Celine’s message was followed by a cover of her winning song by Jerry Heil, iolanda, Marina Satti and Silvester Belt, who all competed in Eurovision last year. It was among the performances during the interval in the first semi-final.

Some fans shared that they were emotional after seeing the video message tonight. One person wrote on X: “Why am I genuinely crying at Celine.” Another said: “Aw Celine Dion. I’m not crying, you are.” A third wrote on the platform: “Oh I’m getting emotional watching the Celine Dion message.”

One person said: “Not me starting to sob when Celine Dion’s message started.” Another wrote: “Celine Dion’s message made me cry.” A sixth said: “Celine Dion’s recorded message for everyone was very heartfelt. Thank you [Celine].”

There’s still speculation that Celine could appear in the grand final following the message. One fan wrote: “Celine is so performing in the final like its so obvious.” Another viewer said: “Celine will be in the final trust #Eurovision2025.”

One post on the platform this evening read: “Important note: Celine Dion says ‘I’d have loved nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now’, but does not expressly say she won’t be performing this year as has been reported. Not saying that she *will*, but I think the jury is still out.”

Others shared hope that it’s a possibility. One fan said: “Would it be possible that Céline Dion could be doing a special appearance in the Grand Final? I still have hopes.” Someone else said: “What an amazing nod to Celine Dion, here’s hoping she can make it for the final on Saturday.” Another questioned: “Anyone still reckon Celine Dion is actually gonna be there on Saturday night?”

Even before the video message aired there was speculation that it’s a build-up to her return. One fan wrote this morning: “Is there any chance the Celine Dion video is a red herring and she may still appear in person during the final?”

Another said: “I think it’s now more likely that #Celine will appear in person in grand final.” They added: “If a video message was her contribution to ESC Basel, they wouldn’t use it at a Tuesday semi-final – they would keep it for Saturday.”

The sentiment was reflected by fans this evening, with one writing: “Weird that the Celine Dion message is shown during the semi-final and not the final.” Another said similarly: “Thought they’d have saved CELINE DION for the grand final.”

Not everyone seemed convinced that Celine will make another appearance though. One person wrote: “Sorry, no Celine Dion performance. But at least we get this video message.” Another said: “Aww, they got Celine – even if it’s only via video. Nice.”

As reported by PA earlier today, amid reports of her video message surfacing in advance, which appeared to rule out a return, a spokesperson for Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR said: “All elements of the first semi-final show were played through and rehearsed intensively. There are currently no changes regarding Celine Dion – we are still in close contact with her.”

Eurovision continues on Thursday night with the second semi-final at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The grand final will then be broadcast on Saturday from 8pm.

Cassie Ventura took to the stand at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse in lower Manhattan on Tuesday and was in tears as she discussed moments with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

Tuesday saw the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial enter its second day. The rapper, 55, is facing a number of charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex ­trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution. The Bad Boy Records founder was arrested in September. He strongly denies all allegations made against him.

Combs has been in prison since his arrest, with a number of bail requests rejected. Today (Tuesday, May 13) saw Cassie Ventura take to the stand. She faced the 12 jurors who were sworn in at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse in lower Manhattan on Monday.

Here are the biggest moments from the day’s proceedings.

Ventura fell in love with Combs before seeing ‘different side’

After explaining to the jury how the pair first met, Ventura went on to explain how she fell in love with the mogul after a trip to Miami. She told the court: “I travelled with him everywhere, I was in studios, I was just like [his] little shadow for a while.” She explained their relationship was “fun”, and it was her “first adult, real adult relationship.”

His life was “much different” to hers, she said, explaining: “He had assistants at his beck and call. He could get anything done quickly. He had respect from everyone. He travelled quite a bit.” Although she was “enamoured” by the musician, she told the court she later went on to “experience a different side of him, which was his abusive side.”

Ventura broke down into tears on the stand

Partway through her questioning, Ventura was in tears. She had been asked what she enjoyed, or if she enjoyed anything about the Freak Offs, when she burst into tears. She said: “The time spent with him,” was what she felt was the only time she could spend with Combs. She told the court: “I felt disgusting. I was humiliated. I didn’t have the words to put together at the time how horrible I really felt, and I couldn’t talk to anybody about it.”

Ventura ‘chose to leave’ after hotel altercation

Ventura recalled the altercation she had with Combs and said: “It got violent and I chose to leave.” She went on to tell the court: “Sean followed me into the hallway by the elevators. He grabbed me up, threw me on the ground, kicked me, tried to drag me back to the room, took my stuff.”

The incident took place during a Freak Off, with Ventura telling the court: “I’m not sure what happened, but I got hit by Sean and I had a black eye, and at that point all I could think about was getting out of there safely. I had my premiere, I didn’t want to mess it up, so I left.”

She was in a separate room from an escort when Combs hit her. She left the room when Combs was in the shower.

Combs ‘frequently’ assaulted Cassie

After the jury had viewed the CCTV footage of the Los Angeles hotel incident, Emily Johnston asked how many times Combs had beaten her in this way. Ventura responded: “Too many to count, I don’t know.

Johnson then asked: “Are there occasions when you tried to fight back when Sean hit you?” “No,” Ventura said.

How the Freak Offs would start

Ventura spoke about the Freak Offs. She told the court: “It was established pretty early on in doing the Freak Offs that Sean [Diddy] enjoyed a lot of conversation and describing.” She then said they would start with “oil and touching”.

Ventura went on to claim that those involved would engage in oral sex before sexual intercourse. She added it was a gradual process before claiming that while she wanted to move to the next process to speed it along, Diddy was “controlling” the situation.

“He was directing it,” she alleged to the court. She also told the court that she was tasked with finding escorts to engage in the Freak Offs, explaining how she would find adverts online at Combs’ request.

The jury looked at a text message between Ventura and a man she claimed would facilitate the escorts. She claimed he would send her images of the male escorts, saying: “I’d usually show them to Sean [Diddy] and see if that person was of interest for a Freak Off.

“I definitely had to show him,” she added before claiming the escorts were often paid between $1,500 and $6,000. She said they were mostly men, with a few exceptions.

She labelled the Freak Offs “disgusting” and “overwhelming” and said the longest Freak Off was four days.

Ventura took ‘all kinds of drugs’ to numb herself

During her testimony, Ventura claimed she took various drugs in a bid to numb herself. She said: “For me, it was dissociative and numbing. I couldn’t imagine myself doing any of that without having some sort of buffer or just way to not feel it for what it really was.”

She claimed that Diddy provided the drugs, and his staff would drop them off on occasions. She claimed: “Someone would drop off drugs to me, wherever I was.”

For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk

If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999