A SHOW featuring a septuagenarian disc jockey being seduced by a ballet dancer while a flock of pigeons flies across the stage may not sound like most people's idea of enticing entertainment, especially if you have to travel to Belgrade to witness it first-hand.
But for Kevin Sherwin, who booked his tickets months ago, the idea makes his heart go boom-bang-a-bang. Next week, the Aberdonian will restate his dedication to all things kitsch when he attends his 11th successive Eurovision Song Contest.
It is
an obsession which has cost him upwards of £20,000 on travel and tickets and seen him eschew sun-kissed climes for downtrodden stadia in eastern Europe. And that is without taking into consideration the offences against music he willingly endures, such as the Croatian entry described above.
The taxi driver and community radio DJ is, though, unrepentant. He will jet out for Serbia tonight for a ten-day break which takes in the final on 24 May and a welcome party with the Serbian Royal family. On the way, he intends to meet others from across the continent who share his adoration.
"My year begins and ends with Eurovision. It's the most exciting event of the year," said Mr Sherwin, 47, from the village of Peterculter. "I'm such a fan and although many people don't like it because it's so cheesy, the whole of Europe goes mad for it."
So fervent is the Eurovision's following that the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh is hosting a party on the night of the final for hundreds of fans. Next month, meanwhile, the send-up show, Eurobeat, begins a run at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre.
No-one is more familiar with the dedication of Eurovision fans than Kevin Bishop, executive producer of the event's UK television coverage. As presenter Terry Wogan's right-hand man, Mr Bishop has been covering the show for the past 14 years for the BBC – a period, he joked, that was "14 years too long".
He told The Scotsman yesterday: "Eurovision fans are fanatical. Hundreds of people follow the acts in the week before the final, going to rehearsals and press conferences, soaking up every morsel of information.
"It's kitsch, camp entertainment and Terry Wogan has to take a lot of the credit for its popularity."
Mr Sherwin is dismissive of scorn. He said: "I don't care if people laugh at me. I get a buzz from the whole event."
The full article contains 416 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
