Published: 10:23 PM May 18, 2019 Updated: 8:42 AM September 18, 2020

The Netherlands has won this year's Eurovision song contest. The United Kingdom came last with just 16 points.

The Netherlands' Duncan Laurence was the bookies' favourite and won the 2019 contest for his song Arcade with 492 points.

At the opposite end of the table was the United Kingdom's Michael Rice, with just 16 points overall. It earned just three points from the public vote, with those being awarded by Ireland.

It is the first time the UK has come last in the contest since 2010.

Many took to social media to blame Brexit for the hostile reception from the rest of Europe.

Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands celebrates after winning the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) - Credit: Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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One tweeted: "With Brexit it's pretty obvious no-one wants to vote for us."

Another said: "Tonight's Eurovision result shows that Brexit has really left the UK sidelined from the rest of Europe but we shall overcome."

But others pointed to Germany's poor performance as a sign that this was not related to the politics of the European Union.

Others pointed to the fact that the UK has not finished in the top 10 in the last decade to suggest other factors were at play.

"Sorry but the UK really need to think about what they send. This was a terrible song and had terrible staging. I feel for the poor bloke who will forever be known as that one who came last however," said a tweeter.

"The UK needs a cheesey camp song," claimed another.

Away from Brexit there were much bigger political messages at the event, with Madonna targeting host country Israel for its attacks on Palestine.

Her performance included a section where backing dancers wore gas masks, and later displayed Iraeli and Palestinian flags. Organisers said it was not an approved part of the act.

It ended with a message on screen for the world to "wake up".

The pop star had defied calls from pro-Palestinian activists to cancel the show in Tel Aviv, saying beforehand she wanted to create "a new path toward peace".

During her performance at the final, Madonna's backing dancers were seen wearing Israel and Palestine flags on their backs.

Eurovision confirmed they were not an approved part of the show and Madonna has "been made aware" the event is supposed to be "non-political".

A spokesperson said: "In the live broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, two of Madonna's dancers briefly displayed the Israeli and Palestinian flags on the back of their outfits.

"This element of the performance was not part of the rehearsals which had been cleared with the EBU and the Host Broadcaster, KAN. The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event and Madonna had been made aware of this."

Iceland's Eurovision act could also face punishment after displaying Palestinian flags during the live broadcast, organisers said.