EUROVISION fans were left devastated as Celine Dion failed to appear at tonight’s grand final – despite a series of huge clues.
Canadian superstar Celine, 57, who famously won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, had been widely anticipated to perform live at St. Jakobshalle in Basel.
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It would have marked her first public stage appearance in almost a year amid her ongoing battle with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare autoimmune neurological disorder.
The singer had even jetted into Basel ahead of the show – but, as the four-hour extravaganza came to end, viewers shared their disappointment that she didn’t appear.
One wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “I can’t believe I sat through 4 hours of this for Celine to no show.”
Another said: “Imagine waiting all night to see Celine Dion and she doesn’t even come on.”
Someone else added: “I had myself convinced Celine was going to be there, ffs.”
A fourth joked towards the ceremony’s end: “Just cancel the damn votes and bring on Celine Dion!! I can’t take this haha.”
Celine has kept a low profile in recent years while undergoing treatment for the condition, which affects the brain and spinal cord and causes severe muscle stiffness and spasms.
Her team previously confirmed she had cancelled all remaining tour dates to focus on her health, with no immediate plans to return to performing.
However, commentator Graham Norton had teased during the BBC One broadcast that he was hopeful she would be there.
The Sun also told this week how her private jet left Paris for Switzerland Thursday morning.
Eurovision fans in tears as Celine Dion makes surprise appearance after health battle
At the time of publication, negotiations were still ongoing and the potential performance had been up in the air due to her turbulent health.
Celine has struggled to sing since she revealed her health struggles in December 2022, although she did give a rare performance at the Paris Olympics last summer.
A Eurovision insider said: “The team have been talking to Celine about appearing or performing at the ceremony for months and it has been very up and down.
“At one point this week, it looked like she would not be attending, but now it is looking far more likely she will be there.
“Rehearsals have gone ahead without her, but everyone is crossing their fingers.
“It’ll be down to the wire.”
Celine sent a video message, shown during Tuesday’s semi-final, which appeared to indicate she would not be travelling to the event from her Las Vegas home.
The My Heart Will Go On singer said: “I’d love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now. Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me.
“Music unites us. It is our strength, our support… in times of need.”
What is stiff person syndrome?
Stiff person syndrome or SPS is a condition caused by persistent spasms.
This usually involves multiple muscles, primarily the lower limbs, experts at University College London say.
Most people who develop the illness will receive a diagnosis from the ages of 40-60-years-old.
It’s a neurological disease with features of autoimmune conditions.
The first signs would be intermittent spasms which then become continuous.
Other symptoms include:
Minor sensory stimuli (being more sensitive to noise, light and touch)
Severe spasms
Impaired breathing (in advanced cases).
The experts said that spasms don’t usually occur during your sleep.
How is it treated?
In most cases people with SPS respond to high doses of diazepam, which is often used as anti anxiety medication.
Pain relievers will also improve the symptoms but these will not cure the disorder.
Many people with SPS will experience falls because they lack defensive reflexes, experts at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke added.
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