Sam Ryder hugs Marius Bear as Switzerland reaches 17th place in Eurovision… while UK comes second

Sam Ryder shared an emotional hug with Switzerland’s Marius Bear after the latter only reached 17th place in Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final in Turin, Italy.

The TikTok star, 32, impressively came second in the competition – the nation’s highest place for more than two decades following years of ‘nul points’ – after being beaten by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra amid the country’s invasion by Russia.

When the Essex-native realised he had been received more favourably by the jury and public vote, he approached the Swiss singer, 29, for an embrace.

In a video posted to Instagram by Eurovision, Marius can be seen burying his head into Sam’s shoulder before kissing him on the head as they enjoy a lengthy hug.

Kalush Orchestra moved viewers with their poignant performance of Stefania amid the war in their country.

Led by rapper Oleh Psiuk, the group – completed by Ihor Didenchuk, Vlad Kurochka, Tymofii Muzychuk and Oleksandr Slobodianyk – were victorious at the grand final, scoring 631 points.

After wowing with their performance, which merged rap with folk and featured breakdancing, flutes and bold ensembles, they thanked everyone supporting their country amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Wow! The UK incredibly came in second place – the nation’s highest place for more than two decades – during the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday following years of ‘nul points’ 

Emotional: When the Essex-native realised he had been received more favourably by the jury and public vote, he approached the Swiss singer, 29, for an embrace

Friendly: In a video posted to Instagram by Eurovision, Marius can be seen burying his head into Sam’s shoulder before kissing him on the head as they enjoy a lengthy hug

After they were revealed as the champions and performed the song for a second time, they said: ‘Thank you, thank you so much.’

They had been given special permission to travel to Italy, as men their age are currently fighting for their country back home.

The band said of the song, which is a tribute to mothers: ‘We’re showing off our roots, and we’re showing how to take something from the past and make it work for the present.

‘That’s why we’ve found success at home, and we hope that we can find that sort of reception internationally, as well. We take something old, and we make it sound modern.’

The UK came second – the highest place for the nation in more than two decades – with Sam Ryder’s ‘Space Man’ scoring a whopping 466 points.

The TikTok star – who shot to fame with his lockdown covers on the video-sharing platform – has changed the UK’s run of bad luck after scoring nil points for the past two years.

Sam said in the green room: ‘Honestly, this is amazing. It’s wicked.

‘We signed up here to come and sing we enjoy music, and I know that every single artist involved this year absolutely smashed it. Everyone was a credit to themselves and a credit to what Eurovision is all about; unity peace, love, togetherness, inclusivity and expression. Thank you for having us, appreciate [it].’

Impressive: Ukraine’s group – made up of rapper Oleh Psiuk, Ihor Didenchuk, Vlad Kurochka, Tymofii Muzychuk and Oleksandr Slobodianyk – wowed with their performance