‘I only know her six weeks but I miss her terribly’ – RTÉ Eurovision commentator Marty Whelan on becoming a grandad

Whelan’s daughter Jessica gave birth to her daughter Lily Nora, who is named after both of her grandmothers.

Lily Nora arrived six weeks before her due date, and Whelan, who is currently in Malmo for the 68th Eurovision, said he missed her terribly.

“This is going to sound ridiculous. I am finding it [being a grandparent] weird because I miss her,” he said.

“I only know her… [she’s] six weeks old. She came early. She was due to be born last Saturday, she came early. She is a tiny little thing and beautiful like her mother.

“It is a real thrill… everyone would say to you that it will be a great moment. And I threw it away and I thought, ‘nah, don’t be ridiculous’. But it is. It is life-affirming and life-changing. I am mad about her.”

Whelan (67) has been providing commentary for the Eurovision Song Contest for 25 years.

Reflecting on that time, he said the most memorable year was in 1987 when Johnny Logan won with Hold Me Now.

“It was my first one and you can’t top that. It was Johnny Logan’s second win and I was with Larry Gogan and it was special and those moments… it is hard to recapture that.”

However, he was “high as a kite” when Ireland’s act Bambie Thug made it through to the grand final on Tuesday night with their song Doomsday Blue.

Bambie is making a statement about who they are and I think that is very refreshing

As a commentator, he says it is much more rewarding when “you have a part to play” in the grand final.

“The buzz is different because we are now in the final. But for me it is always a buzz. When you are not in it, you don’t care who wins,” he said.

When asked how Bambie Thug’s performance differs from previous entrants, such as 2008 contestant Dustin the Turkey, he replied: “We have tried to put the turkey behind us.”

“Bambie is making a statement about who they are and I think that is very refreshing… think the fact that Bambie is representing us is a good thing. And says a lot about us as a nation and a broadcaster… be loud and proud.”

This evening is the second semi-final and is set to be a tense atmosphere as the Israel representative Eden Golan is due to perform.

There have been objections over Israel’s inclusion and ongoing calls for the organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to exclude the country from the contest.

Today large protests and demonstrations are due to take place in the city, supporting Palestine and protesting against Israel’s participation.

One of the organisers of the events, Pia Jacobfem: “We hope these [demonstrations] put a light on Palestine, Gaza and the West Bank,” she said. “We say no to Israel throwing bombs with one hand, and glitter with the other.”

Last night, during a semi-final dress rehearsal Golan was booed while on stage.

Asked if he thinks there is going to be any disruptions during the show tonight in response to Israel’s involvement, Whelan said he was doubtful.

“No I don’t,” he said. “I mean, you can have a security breach at anything but no, I don’t believe anything will happen on stage. I hope it all goes as it is supposed to go. Their security is very tight.”