Austria's Conchita Wurst - the so-called bearded lady - has won the Eurovision Song Contest in the host city of Copenhagen.
The 25-year-old drag queen, whose real name is Tom Neuwirth, took the crown with the Bond-like anthem Rise Like A Phoenix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaolVEJEjV4
Conchita elicited massive cheers from the crowd as she took the stage sporting a figure-hugging frock, butterfly eyelashes and a full beard before delivering a powerful performance of her ballad.
She went on to secure her victory with three rounds to spare, eventually accumulating 290 points.
Conchita, who was visibly overcome by emotion after accepting the prize, said: "This award is dedicated to everybody who believes in a world of peace and freedom.
"You know who you are - we are unity and we are unstoppable."
Conchita had faced strong criticism from petitioners in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine who called for her to be dropped from the competition.
Even in her home country, the leader of the right-wing FPOe party had called her "ridiculous".
But on the night, the songstress won over viewers and secured most of her "douze points" from western European countries, including Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands.
