I don’t know about you, but I was pleased to see Italy back in the contest in 2011. It felt like our nice little Eurovision family had been joined by that moody-but-amenable cousin that got grumpy so many years ago everyone had forgotten why. And they damn near won the thing on their return, even though Raphael Gualazzi had to trim his four-minute song to make it comply with the rules. I sort of get the impression that Italy could win the contest anytime they want to – they just don’t want to just yet. It’s a pity because many Eurovision fans would love a fortnight in their country. Raphael is 33 today.
Buon compleanno, Raphael!