Sixth trip for Eurovision fans

A pair of Eurovision Song Contest fans made a 5,000-mile round trip to Azerbaijan to support Englebert Humperdinck as he represented the UK.

Mother and son Mrs Anita Newport, 55, and Mr Howard Newport, 23, both of Salisbury Road, Newark, were among 77 Brits who travelled 2,500 miles to Baku to cheer on Humperdinck.

Mr Newport, who works at the Co-op, on London Road, and Mrs Newport, who works at the Beehive salon, Balderton, dressed in Union Flag costumes for the contest — their sixth in succession, having previously travelled to Helsinki, Belgrade, Moscow, Oslo, and Dusseldorf.

Humperdinck’s entry, Love Will Set You Free, finished a disappointing 25th of 26, gaining just 12 points, 360 behind the eventual winner, Swedish entry Euphoria by Loreen.

Mrs Newport said she became hooked on the contest when she was expecting her son, and thinks that might be why he was bitten by the Eurovision bug so early on.

“I have always loved the programme. It is just so different. It is great entertainment,” she said.

“It obviously isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but we love going out to far-flung places to support the British entry.

“There’s more to going than just the music, which is fantastic — there is the new cultures and new people.

“We have managed to keep all this a secret from so many people, but I am sure they will all know about it now.”

Not only did the pair take in both semi-finals and the final in the former Soviet Union territory, they also got to meet some of their idols including Humperdinck.

“Last year we met Blue and this year we met Englebert — the performers are very approachable,” said Mr Newport.

“Despite the disappointment of finishing second from bottom, the result took nothing away from what was an amazing experience.

“We are just pleased that in 2013 it will be in Stockholm, which is just a little bit closer for us to travel.”