Best Eurovision pictures as city becomes a sea of sequins and sparkle

Thousands of people descended on Liverpool's waterfront dressed in beautiful colours as the first official Eurovision event got underway.

The first ticketed Eurovision show got underway on Monday, May 8 at the M&S Bank Arena. The event was a full run-through of the semi-final 1 show featuring all countries participating including France, Germany and Italy, as well as interval acts Rita Ora and Rebecca Ferguson.

Thousands of people descended on Liverpool's waterfront more than two hours before doors opened to the event at 7.30pm. People were seen queuing at the arena doors all the way down to the bridge near Pizza Express and down towards the Albert Dock.

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No expense was spared as people donned their brightest coloured dresses, trousers, t-shirts and shoes for the event. Dozens of people were seen wearing sparkly clothes as Liverpool turned into a sea of sequins.

Many people also decided to dress in their country's colours with many opting for Union flag skirts and shirts. There was lots of support for Ukraine with people adding Ukrainian flags and colours to their outfits.

Some travelled from as far as Australia just to attend the "once in a lifetime experience". Elsewhere in the city, the rain did not stop huge crowds from gathering in the Eurovision village for the "This is Ukraine" event.

The concert saw Ukrainian acts such as Go_A and Jerry Heil take over the stage for the whole night.

Two spectators Tetiana and Mykola from Kyiv, Ukraine, travelled to Liverpool from Chorley to watch the EuroVillage acts. They said they were looking forward "to the atmosphere".

Here are 13 of the best pictures from the EuroVillage and outside the M&S Bank Arena