For decades, politics has played a major part in Eurovision, whether it be neighbouring countries reportedly voting for each other to win the other’s favour or songs themselves making controversial statements.

In 2016, one of biggest political stories in recent memory will take centre stage, with last year’s winner Måns Zelmerlöw announcing 2016’s contest will have a “Come Together” theme that will focus on the refugee crisis.

“It is more necessary than ever before that we unite and join together, and that is literally what we do in Eurovision, where most of the countries in Europe meet together,” he said. “We obviously want to touch upon it: anything else would be to bury your head in the sand.”

The singer criticised the country's decision to tighten border controls: “We have shut the borders now, so I don’t know if there’s that much to be proud about.” Sweden announced earlier this year plans to deport 80,000 asylum seekers.

Most controversial Eurovision moments Show all 8 1 /8 Most controversial Eurovision moments Most controversial Eurovision moments Conchita Wurst, Austria (2014) Russia’s anti-gay president Vladmir Putin branded Eurovision a ‘Europe-wide gay parade’ and shortly afterwards, Austrian drag singer Tom Neuworth more than got his own back. Neuworth’s bearded lady alter-ego Conchita Wurst triumphed with the Bond-style “Rise Like a Phoenix”, shooting down homophobes who had sent her abuse in the run-up to the contest. Getty Images Most controversial Eurovision moments Donatan and Cleo, Poland (2014) When Poland returned to Eurovision after a two-year absence, few suspected that girls dressed as milkmaids could be quite so raunchy. Controversially, the UK public voted this their favourite, while the national jury placed it last. Soprano Laura Wright called it “soft porn” and “two boobs too far”. Eurovision Most controversial Eurovision moments Ping Pong, Israel (2000) Israel and Syria were officially at war during this contest and just to make matters worse, Ping Pong decided to wave Syrian flags during rehearsals in a bid for peace. Unsurprisingly, Israeli politicians demanded they be banned for not representing national values and when they weren’t, they left them to cover all their own expenses. The flags made a comeback in the final but they only received seven points. YouTube Most controversial Eurovision moments Stephane and 3G, Georgia (2009) “We Don’t Wanna Put In” was understandably read as a massive dig at Putin, just one year after Georgia’s war with Russia. The European Broadcast Union deemed it “too political” for Eurovision and Georgia was asked to either change the lyrics or submit a different song. They refused and withdrew from the competition. YouTube Most controversial Eurovision moments Paul Oscar, Iceland (1997) This gay pop singer sparked outrage when he performed “My Final Dance” backed by four latex-clad women provocatively frolicking on a white leather sofa. To this day it remains one of the most eyebrow-raising and overtly sexual Eurovision moments ever. YouTube Most controversial Eurovision moments Dana International, Israel (1998) Conchita’s been there, done that since, but Dana International was the first transgender person to represent their country at Eurovision back in the late Nineties. She caused uproar in Israel, with ultra-Orthodox Jews protesting in the streets and some even sending death threats. Naturally, she won with a feather-laden diva-like performance to show the haters who’s the boss. YouTube/BBC Most controversial Eurovision moments Teapacks, Israel (2007) Yet another Israeli controversy came with Teapacks’ song “Push the Button”, which included lyrics about “crazy rulers” and a “world full of terror”. Some speculated that the track reflected Israeli anxiety about a nuclear war with Iran, but it was given the go ahead by Eurovision bosses. YouTube Most controversial Eurovision moments Jean-Claude Pascal, Luxembourg (1961) Luxembourg’s entry “Maybe It Isn’t America (Because America Isn’t the Be-All)” was sung in French and widely seen as anti-American, just as Ronald Reagan took up his presidency. It didn’t do too well, finishing in 11th. YouTube

He also said viewers would be confronted with a thought-provoking dance performance that would draw attention to the crisis.

Eurovision’s content producer Sven Stojanovic said of the dance routine: “We want to make people think, and be left with something to reflect upon after seeing the performance.

He added: “We are paying attention to the situation and that’s something we are proud of.”

Zelmerlöw’s co-presenter for the event, Petra Mede, said they agreed they could not choose to ignore the situation.

“Everyone knows that it is a very tough situation in Europe right now. We already know now that there’s going to be a dance number where this will be expressed with dancers. We want to give a picture of what’s going on, but there will also be a feeling of hope.”